Meet Marina Bommarito | Mental Health and Neurofeedback Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Bommarito and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I graduated with my master’s in clinical mental health counseling I found myself craving freedom, spontaneity, and definitely less structure. Throughout all my years of schooling, I was also working to support myself and while I’m grateful for the groundwork it provided me in developing my work ethic and time management skills I was craving freedom and flexibility from my previously rigid schedule. Before starting my own business, I decided to take some time for myself and I traveled the country in my camper van for a year. It was a deeply inspiring trip filled with adventure, nature, music, reading, and I met some amazing people along the way. This inspiration and freedom gave me the courage and confidence I needed to take a step of faith into creating my own business. Many therapists, after graduating, start in community mental health or in a group practice. Both are wonderful opportunities. However, neither of those options satisfied my desires nor allowed me the freedom to make my own choices or provide the space I needed to be the best therapist for my clients. My personality is able to shine through the space I’ve built. This enhances my therapeutic relationships and aids my clients in their healing and growth. Starting my own business was fueled by freedom, independence, and the open road to discovering self-confidence.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
At the Golden Counseling Center, I strive to create an environment of growth, healing, and progress. As a mental health provider, it is my job to join alongside my clients in sometimes the darkest, most confusing, and most difficult times in their lives. I want to be a place of refuge and safety. I want to meet my clients with care, respect, and hope for a brighter future where they feel confident in their ability to reach their goals.

The most difficult part, for me, about being a business owner is wearing all the hats at the same time. I went to school to learn how to help people, not how to do taxes, and file for S-Corps. I have learned so much and still have plenty of learning to do. I am grateful to my community here in Golden for the support, education, and encouragement they give to small business owners. I’m working on balancing both growing my business with the growth I want to do personally. This has taken me on a journey of organization and lots of self-compassion.  I am being mindful and intentional about my business and personal choices and using all resources available.

One thing that makes my business stand out among other therapists is that I am a Board Certified Neurotherapist offering Neurofeedback brain training therapy at my office. This is an amazing technology that allows us to teach the brain new ways of operating when it feels stuck or has unhelpful learned patterns. I address brain dysregulation holistically, without the use of medication or the introduction of synthetic materials into the body.

Accountability is important to the foundation of my practice and it’s something I work on everyday. It is easy to fall behind when you own your own business since nobody is holding you accountable except you!  I have a deep desire for more information and I am always working on staying up to date with the newest research being published in the field. This helps me to maintain best practices and provide sound treatment for my clients. This type of accountability includes educating the community about what I can offer. I go to farmer’s markets and visit small businesses in the community to raise mental health awareness and I advocate for a focus on mental health in the workplace regardless of what field you work in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow! What a tough question. Colorado has so much to offer! It would definitely include a lot of music, mountains, and beer! First and foremost I would bring them to Golden, the place I call home. We would take an icy dip in the creek after hiking south table mountain, then we would go to Woody’s for some chicken wings. I would need to take them to New Terrain on a Thursday night for great beer and live music as a warm-up before going to Red Rocks for an unforgettable concert in the natural venue underneath the stars.

The next day, we would take a drive down to Great Sand Dune National Park for some sand boarding and a unique environment. Continuing on, we would head to Mesa Verde National Park for a history lesson on the ancient Pueblo Peoples and some dynamic hiking. From there, we would hop on the million-dollar highway and head up to Telluride and Ouray for the most iconic views and gorgeous mountains where we would get in a 14er for sure.

Next, we’d drive through Glenwood Canyon on the way home and contrast that icy clear creek dip with some hot springs and one of the most beautiful drives through the canyon walls. We would end up back in Golden for a beer at Over Yonder Brewery and more local music.

Before taking them to the airport in the morning we would go to Sassafrass for breakfast by the creek and a bloody mary flight!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My soon-to-be husband, Alex, and my father. Alex has and continues to push me to be a person I am proud of. He helps me believe in myself in ways that nobody else has. There is limitless support and understanding from him that I can do anything I set my mind to. He reminds me to not take life too seriously and always look for adventure in everything I do. My father has consistently been a bright light in our community, bringing people together, and using creative ideas to better the world around him. He has paved the way for me to be heavily involved in my environment, create meaningful relationships, and be the change I want to see. He led by example and I am grateful to be following in his footsteps.

Website: www.GoldenCounselingCenter.com