About Marcia Filipiak LPCC, LADAC, NCC

Hello and Welcome!

This purpose of this page is for you to learn a little about me. I am the owner of Counseling Connections, LLC. I started my private practice because I wanted the flexibility and freedom to offer options to my clients that put the client first.

Therefore, in my private practice I offer scheduling flexibility, evening appointments and weekend availability. I also offer online video (telehealth) sessions to provide solutions to obstacles people frequently face (transportation, childcare, gas costs, weather, etc).

Life Happens

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Unfortunately, sometimes it may be a reason that we may not understand until years later. This belief comes from what I have experienced in my life personally and professionally. However, these experiences also have led me to being a therapist, a job that I love. So, I thought learning a little more about what I’ve experienced would help you understand me a little bit better.

My Journey

I was born and raised in Wisconsin. Growing up, I had different ideas about what I wanted to do. However, I always knew I wanted to help people. My mom worked as a nurse for more than 40 years and my family is filled with teachers, nurses and therapists (physical and massage). So, helping others was modeled for me throughout my life.

I went to Lakeland College (now called Lakeland University) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and English as a Second Language.  For approximately 20 years I worked with children (ages 5-14) and their families and loved every minute of it. I learned about the structure and inner workings of a school system and understanding federally mandated programs such as English as a Second Language/ELL, Title I and Special Education/IEPs. This along with my experience as a teacher and managing a classroom is incredibly helpful when working with children, parents and families in therapy.

Back to School

As a teacher, children would come to talk to me about things that bothered them or confide in me looking for help, but I didn’t have the skills to help them, other than being a ‘kind listener’. So, I went back to school and received a Master of Arts in Counseling with a focus on School Counseling. I became licensed in the State of Wisconsin as a Licensed School Counselor for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. I taught skills such as learning about good/bad touch, bullying and mentored a peer conflict resolution program. I also worked with older children/young adults on communication skills, organizational/study skills and high education/career counseling. As a therapist, I am able to teach all of these same skills to my child/adolescent clients to better their life.

However, due to demands in a school, I quickly realized that school counselors are not given the time to counsel children as much as they would like. So, in 2009, I returned to Lakeland College to add an emphasis in Community Counseling (now call Clinical Mental Health Counseling) and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for my Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification. This step in my life has developed into where I am now in my life, a mental health therapist in private practice. Since that time, I have worked with children, adults and families experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, anger, domestic violence, abuse, trauma and addiction. I use the following techniques in my practice depending on the client’s age and their needs: CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, EMDR and Brainspotting. I also am trained in the Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework for families and the Matrix Model for alcohol and drug addiction.

Moving to New Mexico

I moved to Rio Rancho, NM in the fall of 2015. I have always wanted to move to the Southwest and I am so happy that I did! It just took me a while to get here. I love the weather, dry climate and mountains. I have family in all surrounding states so I also moved here to be closer to family.

Home and Work Balance

I love what I do. However, having a healthy balance between work and personal time is incredibly important. Like many of my clients, sometimes I struggle with finding that balance and that is something that I continue to work on.

Aside from work, my passions are family and animals. I grew up in a huge extended family which 50 years ago was all centrally located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, because many are active/retired military, as well as just living their life, now they are scattered across the country. I have family that mean the world to me, in 7 states across the country. Also, I am a new Aunt to an infant niece in Florida. So, much of my extended time off is spent visiting family or exploring cities in New Mexico or the Southwest.

Although I grew up with a whole host of pets, right now I don’t have any of my own. So, I care for others’ pets. This is a passion of mine. When their owners are not home, on vacation, sick or having a medical procedure, I care for their animals so they don’t have to worry about them. I love it! It warms my heart.

When I am not working I like learning new things, listening to music, reading and container gardening. Although, I’m still struggling with gardening in the New Mexico weather…that’s my current challenge!