Marianne G. Shirilla

Marianne is the Owner and Clinical Director of Synergy Counseling, LLC. She has a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marianne is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the District of Columbia. Marianne has over 30 years of experience working in the mental health field with individuals, couples, and families ranging in ages 16 to 86 years old.

Marianne began her career working at Rapha, an adolescent and adult psychiatric inpatient facility, and enjoyed every moment of helping her clients make permanent, positive changes to their lives. It was at this time that Marianne became an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Couples Counseling and Family Therapy using a variety of evidenced-based practices to equip clients with the necessary tools for change. She is skillful and compassionate in helping couples repair and thrive in their marriages even in the midst of challenges such as infidelity, poor communication and major transitions. Marianne has great respect for her clients and admires their courage to seek help as the first step is often the most difficult.

Throughout the years, Marianne has gained expertise in treating trauma. She had the privilege of working as a Military and Family Life Counselor serving all military branches including Soldiers of the Army Special Forces and Marines of the Presidential Helicopter Squadron One. Marianne has won many awards including Military and Family Life Counselor of the Year. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidenced-based treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Marianne is also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), another evidenced-based treatment for PTS.

Marianne is a registered Supervisor with the Virginia Board of Counseling and supervises graduate students and post-graduate residents for licensure as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and/or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). In addition, she is a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). She is an approved AAMFT Supervisor Mentor and supervises licensed clinicians seeking to become AAMFT Supervisors. She also provides consultation for those wanting to become certified in EMDR.

Marianne has four adult children and has lived and traveled throughout the world. Her extensive travel has sensitized her to all walks of life and all manner of people. Marianne loves to explore new places, spend time outdoors, exercise, kayak, garden, and read.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Marianne, please email Kathy DePrenger at kathy@synergycounselingllc.com. Marianne offers therapeutic services at the rate of $275 for the initial session and $250 for each additional session. You may also like to read her reviews on healthgrades.com and see her profile on psychologytoday.com.

Marianne offers both telehealth sessions and in-person sessions.

*Please note - Marianne is no longer accepting Tricare.