Marikay Gazda

Skilled clinician guiding emotional healing and life transitions

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 35 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Marikay

Marikay Gazda is an Illinois licensed clinical social worker with 35 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. She works with clients who face caregiving burdens, chronic illness, aging concerns, and the emotional fallout that follows difficult transitions.

Background and approach

Her practice emphasizes cultivating self-love, improving communication, and reducing isolation to help clients reclaim purpose and meaning in daily life. Her clinical style blends client-centered care with cognitive behavioral strategies, emotionally-focused work, psychodynamic insight, and solution-focused techniques to tailor support to each person’s needs.

Much of her work addresses attachment issues, panic, compassion fatigue, and end-of-life and hospice concerns, alongside struggles with guilt, shame, and emptiness. Marikay aims to provide a compassionate space where people can process loss, strengthen coping skills, and uncover practical steps toward healing and renewed resilience.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and stress-related problems by teaching practical coping strategies. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathy, active listening, and the client's own goals, creating a respectful environment where people feel heard and can explore self-worth and life purpose. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) emphasizes understanding and processing emotional experiences to improve emotional regulation and close distressing relational or internal patterns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to determine which combination of strategies fits their goals, preferences, and the issues they bring to sessions, adjusting methods as progress unfolds.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging make it easier to access care without travel and provide flexibility for busy or homebound clients. These options allow licensed professionals to offer consistent support, skill-building, and follow-up in ways that can fit around daily life and changing schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, relationship and self-esteem difficulties, and related issues such as chronic illness and caregiver stress.

What is her therapeutic approach and style?

Her work combines client-centered care with cognitive behavioral therapy, emotionally-focused and psychodynamic ideas, and solution-focused techniques to create a personalized, compassionate approach.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 35 years of clinical practice, drawing on long-term experience with aging, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and chronic health-related challenges.

Where is she licensed and what credential does she hold?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Illinois license number IL LCSW 149004372 and practices in Illinois.

Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for meetings?

She offers a variety of online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How is cost determined for therapy with her?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps should I take to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Depression Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue

Also works with

Relationship issuesSelf esteem

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsEmptinessForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Psychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

35+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English