Marlena Stanford, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
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Background and Professional Focus
Marlena Stanford has spent her career helping people from all walks of life meet their goals. Before becoming a therapist, Marlena spent years as a high school teacher and college professor, where she guided individuals through the kind of deep questioning that leads to real transformation. She helped students challenge their perspectives while discovering their own paths forward. Now, as a mental health clinician, she brings that same passion into the therapy room, helping clients move beyond their suffering and into lives of meaning.
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Marlena works with children, teens, and adults experiencing challenges associated with depression, panic attacks, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation. She also supports moms with mental health concerns and parents with relationship challenges surfacing in the midst of raising kids.
Marlena’s approach is both evidence-based and deeply personalized, using interventions that have shown meaningful results in rigorous research studies. Whether clients seek solution-focused, fast-acting relief or a space for deeper exploration and long-term growth, she tailors therapy to meet their unique concerns and goals. She believes healing isn’t about forcing change, nor is it about avoiding discomfort—it’s about learning to approach challenges with courage and a willingness to grow. With a personality that is both direct and genuine, Marlena helps clients uncover what truly matters to them and build lives aligned with their values.
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Education
Western Colorado University, BA in English Literature
Colorado State University, MA in English Literature
The Ohio State University, MSW with emphasis in Mental Health
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Practice
Individual Therapy for Children, Teens and Adults
Couples Therapy
Maternal Mental Health
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Play Therapy
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