Mary Cabanillas

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m currently completing my internship as part of my Master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, with an expected graduation date of December 2026. I’m honored to be part of the team at Calm Horizons Counseling, where I bring a relational, systems-focused perspective to the work we do.

As the only Marriage and Family Therapy intern at the practice, I offer a unique approach that looks beyond the individual to understand the relationships, patterns, and experiences shaping each person’s life. My work is grounded in trauma-informed care and draws from a variety of therapeutic models to support meaningful, lasting change.

My journey to becoming a therapist has been anything but linear. After spending years in public education, I felt a growing pull toward mental health, a desire to walk alongside people as they navigate pain, rediscover their strengths, and build deeper, more meaningful connections.

I have a special passion for working with survivors of childhood trauma and with individuals from marginalized communities, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ population. My goal is to create a space where every person feels safe, respected, and truly seen for who they are.

As an adult entering this field, I bring both clinical training and meaningful life experience into the therapy room. I strive to offer a grounded, authentic presence where clients feel comfortable showing up exactly as they are.

Outside of my work and studies, I’m married and the proud mom of two wonderful children who continually remind me of the importance of grace, humor, and patience. I’m an avid reader and audiobook listener, drawn to stories that explore vulnerability, connection, and the complexities of relationships. I’ve found that the same themes that pull me into a great story, honesty, growth, and emotional depth, are the very things that make therapy so powerful.