About Us

Downeast Counseling Services and Expressive Therapy Institute will offer a wide range of counseling services and creative art and movement groups. We have a large movement space upstairs, which is also available to be rented out to others who wish to offer groups. The range of groups available will include movement therapy, creative movement for children, art therapy, and yoga/relaxation.

Mary Okin

Qualifications: Mary received a Masters degree in Expressive Therapy with a concentration in Dance Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1995. Mary is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and is a member of the Maine Clinical Counselor's Association.

Work Experience:
Mary worked for five years in the Boston area, on both inpatient and outpatient hospital units running therapeutic groups for eating disorder patients, including art therapy groups, and later at an outpatient clinic where she conducted individual therapy with adults, children, and adolescents, as well as some couples therapy. Since moving back to Maine, Mary has worked as a family therapist on the home-based family preservation program at St. Michael's Center in Bangor.

Philosophy:
My philosophy about therapy is that the solution to problems lies within the individual and that the therapist is primarily a sensitive and caring guide who can help clients to find the solutions they seek, the resolution to painful situations, or the acceptance to feel painful emotions. I use a variety of therapeutic techniques, including a belief in the power of expression of feelings as a way to help them transform. My goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment for clients where they can face the painful issues in their lives about which they seek guidance.