Mary Kay Cocharo
MS, MFT
Free
Relationship Expert
Mary Kay Cocharo Quick Facts
- Main Areas
- Imago Relationship Therapy, Marriage & Family Therapy, Premarital Counseling
- Career Focus
- Therapist, Workshop Facilitator, Relationship Counselor
- Affiliation
- Imago Relationship Institute, Southern Califo ia Imago Therapists, Califo ia Association of Marriage & Family Therapists, CalFam Counseling Center
Mary Kay Cocharo has been working with couples and families for over 25 years through her private practice in West Los Angeles, Califo ia and cannot imagine doing anything else! She is deeply passionate about helping couples and parents rediscover the joy of being together, deepen communication and resolve conflict.
Her heart in helping others bridge these gaps stems from her belief that regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or creed, we all want and need the same thing—love, equality, acceptance, safety and connection. She imagines a world when it is the rule, not the exception, that we see each other without judgment or fear, and instead come from a place of curiosity and interest.
She is happily married in an intimate relationship and is the mother of three grown children. She is active in various spiritual settings and community endeavors – teaching and supervising at many of the city’s graduate schools and training sites. She also really loves to mentor young therapists, students and interns as they learn and practice their art of connection. Whether teaching, supervising, or consulting, she loves interacting with those who are eager to learn, understand and make a difference.
To discover how to work with Mary Kay through private counseling, workshops, or private intensives as a couple – in any stage of relationship – feel free to explore more here.
* She is an active member of the Califo ia Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, Los Angeles Chapter of Califo ia Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, IMAGO Relationship Institute, and the Southern Califo ia Imago Therapists Association.
Articles by this expert
SelfGrowth articles and saved writing connected to this expert.
Article
Surviving Family Drama during the Holidays
Emily stood in the rain intently staring at the travel poster outside the travel agency. Stunning sandy beaches, sun streaming onto golden beach goers, calm water just as blue as a sapphire. But the photo told only half the story; the headline told the rest: “Forget the Family Drama & Escape to Barbados for the Holidays!” Memories of last year’s holiday brought a sting of realization that she still wasn’t talking to her sister after a big fight. There would be questions and accusations as always – and she would be the bad guy. Again.
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3 Secrets to a Long, Happy Marriage
“Couple Celebrates 80 Years of Marriage!” Just a sensational headline? Incredibly, no! The latest in a number of marriages highlighted in the news over the past year tell the remarkable story of Mitchell and Mattie Atkins of West Philadelphia. Married on January 14th, 1930, they were honored recently by family and friends at an anniversary party celebrating an incredibly rare 80 years together. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins join a very small but extraordinary group of other couples who have celebrated an 80 year wedding anniversary.
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Don't Be Afraid to Get into the Game
My son plays travel baseball. As a result, I found myself, as I do many a weekend, spending countless hours in bleachers the past few days. At one point, as the other team slipped ahead by several runs, I noticed that the coaches and supportive parents yelled things like, “Get into the game”; ...
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Commiseration or Celebration: When Women Talk to Other Women
Many years ago, when I was a younger woman, I had a girlfriend whom I considered to be my very, very best friend. We spoke daily, we traveled together, and we spent many evenings and weekends at each other’s homes. It sounds pretty great, except for one small detail. During all of those phone ...
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Article
Do I REALLY need to prepare for marriage? Yes and Here’s Why
Hours spent on wedding plans: Hundredsr Dollars spent on wedding vendors: Thousandsr Time spent on Marriage Preparation: Priceless The average couple will spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars preparing for their wedding day. I get it. It’s an important lovely day. It’s a party for family and friends and, in some cases, an opportunity for the bride’s childhood dreams to come true. Over 50% of these well-spent couples will end up divorced. There doesn’t appear to be any correlation between the lavishness of the wedding and the health and longevity of the marriage.r
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Sons, Fathers & Divorce: Successful Joint Custody Strategies
“My son wants to live with his Dad; what do I do?” Suddenly the joint custody arrangement you shared with your ex-husband no longer meets your child’s needs – at least in his mind – and he has made the decision that he’d like to live with his father full time. While to your son this may seem a logical request, to you, it signals the end of a relationship and the closeness you once shared – and you may even be taken aback at the emotions you’rernfeeling and unsure where to turn. The reality is that we all change as we grow and develop, but while you may have noticed certainr
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Article
7 Key Practices for Happy Couples
As a Marriage Therapist, couples come to see me with a wide array of goals. Generally, they want to resolve their conflicts, stop fighting, get better connected, and well…be happier! I don’t have a Happiness Magic Wand, but I have gathered some information about how to help over the years. Below are seven components that will get you on your way toward a happier, intimate relationship with your beloved. 1) Practice Good Communication
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Article
Best Tips for Your Relationship After Baby
You've found the love of your life. You've fallen in love. You've dated, become engaged and gotten married. You've longed to make your duo into a trio and after some waiting you now have a baby! What could possibly go wrong?
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How to Remove Criticism to Improve Your Most Important Relationship
There are many models of Couples Therapy today. One thing that they have in common is the advice to eliminate negativity in communication. This is a hard thing to do, but is vitally important. Let's take a look at why it's essential to remove criticism and what to do instead. Does your love do things that bother you? Maybe he comes home late without calling. Or perhaps she leaves the cabinet doors open. You might not like the way he talks to the kids or how she spends hours on social media. Maybe you're annoyed about money, or sex or your mother-in-laws interference.
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Exploring the Link Between Positive Mental Health and Happy Relationships
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Often, when people think about mental health, they tend to focus solely on mental illness. Mental health does, of course, include anxiety, depression and other diagnoses — but it encompasses much more than that. Positive factors, such as resiliency, curiosity, self-worth and strong supportive relationships are also part of your mental health and can help you cope with adversity and mental illness.
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How to Take a Time-In on Your Relationship
Were you a rambunctious kid growing up? I know at times I certainly was. I can clearly remember those moments when my parents would send me to my room for a time-out to calm down and reflect on my behavior. I wasn’t allowed to see any of my friends or go out to play. I can still remember the feeling of boredom and loneliness that would overtake me. And even more clearly, I remember the time-in when I was “set free” to re-engage with my favorite friends, toys, and activities! I never appreciated those things precious to me quite so much as I did after they had been briefly taken away.
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Article
What’s your Language of Desire?
Do you know about the Five Languages of Love? In 1992, Gary Chapman wrote a book by that title. It sold 8,500 copies in its first year, roughly twice the expected number. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller list since 2009. A newly revised edition was released in 2015. Dr. Chapman has written several more books expanding on his early concept. The Five Languages of Love tells us that we all have a primary way that we express and experience love. In his book, Dr. Chapman posits that there are five languages: • words of affirmation • quality time • giving giftsr
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Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Mary Kay Cocharo
"A state of well-being includes awareness of one's self, a sense of responsibility, compassion for others, and a world view that gives meaning to life..."
As an Imago Relationship Therapist it is my goal to help people in romantic
relationships better understand why painful conflict arises, and how to use
it as an opportunity to deepen a loving connection. The methodology involves
easy-to-grasp, practical tools - such as actively mirroring your partner’s
words without judgement - designed to take the sting out of active arguments
and encourage instead a loving curiosity about the stories we each bring to
our journey together.
The result is that individuals grow up into mature and conscious adults who can not only experience deep and loving connection with one another, but who can also raise healthy, integrated, empathic children, and can contribute positively to this planet.
Contacting Mary Kay Cocharo
Please visit my website at www.mkcocharo.com.
email me at mkcocharo@gmail.com
Call me at 310.828.2624.
I am happy to answer any questions or discuss any relationship challenges with you.
New couples receive a FREE 15 minute phone consultation at the beginning of therapy.
I accept all major credit cards and some insurance plans may cover therapy.
How to get started
Call me if you want:
- To understand how to pick an intimate partner that will last
- Create safety and passion in your relationship
- Learn better communication skills
- Understand yourself and your partner better
- Create a conscious relationship
- Learn tools to resolve conflict
- Create intimacy and have the love you want
- Parent your children with love and empathy
Read more about Imago Relationship Therapy at www.mkcocharo.com.
Email me at mkcocharo@gmail.com or call me at 310.828-2624
Other highlights
Start Right, Stay Connected
A Workshop for Engaged Couples and Newlyweds
“Marriage is not only the expression of love between two people, it is also a profound evocation of one of life’s greatest mysteries: the weaving together of many different strands of the soul.” --Thomas Moore
The Start Right, Stay Connected Program is designed to provide couples who are engaged or newly married with a solid foundation as they begin their journey together. In this concise and powerful workshop, couples will learn:
powerful communication skills
tools for dealing with relationship “hot buttons”
effective conflict resolution
how to remove negativity from their relationship
how to keep romance alive
how to “affair-proof” their marriage
Topics addressed include wedding planning, relationships with family, and conce s about money, housework, intimacy, and children.
More information at mkcocharo@aol.com or call 310.828.2624 for more information about workshops.