I come from a long line of helpers. It’s in my blood. My mom was an educator and my dad was a social worker. I grew up watching them work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of some of the most vulnerable youth and I was always inspired by their passion for making a difference and their dedication to bettering the lives of children. In 2008, I found my way into working with kids at Spy Hop, which would become one of the most important things I have done in my life. It was there that I formed my belief in the power young people have when people spend the time listening to them and really hear what they have to say.
I graduated with my Master of Social Work degree in 2017 and took advantage of every opportunity to learn as much as I can from young people from all walks of life. My experience includes working in residential treatment for teenagers, working with students and families experiencing homelessness within the school system, as well as working with young people with Anxiety, Depression, and Neurodivergence. I am EMDR trained and specialize in working with young people engaging in self-harm and who struggle with suicidal ideation. I also believe that art has the power to help us express and communicate in ways that words cannot. I am committed to providing a space where people can be creative in the ways that they process through their issues in sessions and am happy to allow clients to lead the way to their own healing. In 2023 I opened Creative Collaborations Counseling and Consulting with the goal to create a space where young people feel accepted and celebrated and a place where they can create freely. I am so proud of our team who are all passionate about the work we do and the ways in which we can impact our communities.
As a therapist, I especially love walking side by side with my clients as they explore their beliefs, their voices, and who they want to become. Watching young people gain understanding about themselves, grow into the people they have always wanted to become, and helping them believe in themselves again is one of the greatest joys in my life. Thank you for being here and I can’t wait for you to experience the transformative journey that is ahead of you. You got this!
Marijean Woolf is a professional mentor, facilitator, and advocate specializing in school leadership. She has served as an educator working with advanced and challenged learners, school administration, and as a director in administrator development for decades. She is accomplished and recognized at a former student level, a school district level, a state level, and a national level for her ability to mentor and guide others in the practice of leadership. She is driven to support others in a way that is supportive, positive, and fun. Education and leadership are avenues for personal celebration – she will assist you in finding that celebration.
When I was younger, I was often viewed as the “sensitive” one in my family. As I grew older, I came to the understanding that I had the ability to empathize, a quality I learned to see as a strength. In my earlier high school years, I noticed a lack of open communication about things like relationships, emotions, sex, and gender. The lack of education and knowledge in these areas created a huge disservice to the development of my peers and myself. I started exploring and learning more about these topics independently and quickly became someone who was eager to spread the knowledge. Friends and classmates throughout high school would joke that I would become a Sex Therapist one day, which opened the door to finding my career.
After getting my Bachelor's degree in Social Work, I got my first job in the field at a Residential Treatment Center for Teen Girls. The Residential Treatment Center unknowingly became the catalyst for where my career would be directed from then on. I hadn’t ever seen myself wanting to work with youth, but being in that position gave me a new outlook on the matter. I’ve always felt continuous empathy for the hardships of being a teenager, and am able to use my experiences to my advantage when working with teens. In my work at the treatment center, I observed individuals grow emotionally and mentally. Above all, I learned how to develop relationships with those from completely different walks of life and realized the importance of having safe adults in one’s life.
Coming from a Latinx background, there has always been a negative stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding Mental Health. From my point of view, it was clear that people throughout my family were battling their own Mental Health challenges, but had no way or idea how to address them healthily. Being in this field is important to me because it allows me to break the pattern of leaving mental illness unaddressed. I want to be a part of the change within my family, my community, and ultimately my culture.
As a therapist, I see myself as an advocate for my clients and I want to help them become advocates for themselves. Fundamentally, you as an individual have the power to create change and take the path that leads you to the life you want. I am here to help you along that path and work through the barriers and personal challenges you may face. You are the acrobat who chooses when to leap, and I am the safety net ready to support you on your route to reaching your goals. If I can help everyone who comes my way even in the slightest, I will be content with the work I am trying to do.
My sister was an educator in a low income area. Seeing the needs of the students and families in the population she served was one of the first things that drew me to Social Work. Advocating for the voices that aren’t loud enough or those headed in a risky direction inspired my desire to help guide them to a better path. The pandemic brought a lot of adversities to light that needed to be addressed and I felt like there was little support for the people and communities that needed it most. Someone needed to help and that was a big driving factor for me. There are gaps in the care system right now and I think that everyone should feel like they have someone in their corner looking to support them. Everyone deserves to feel heard and seen.I attended Westminster College where I earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology and continued my education at the University of Utah where I graduated with my Masters of Social Work in 2026. I am currently a Certified Social Worker and am working towards getting my License in Clinical Social Work.
My hope as a therapist is to give people the tools and framework they need to work through their past. Finding your own path can be difficult, but with work, we are able to find the one that is best for you. Working through different challenges can be scary and intimidating, but with the right tools and time, you will be able to gain an understanding about yourself. My goal is to guide you through your dark times and to find the fun again. Although therapy can be heavy, I like to find the joy in every session. Life can feel very serious, and without finding glimmers of happiness, we can find ourselves hiding in the dark.
