Marikay Gazda, LCSW

Marikay Gazda is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 35 years of hands-on experience. She helps people who are worn down by stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and big life changes. Her manner is calm and compassionate, aimed at helping people feel seen and understood right away.

She focuses on concerns that often come with aging and caregiving, such as chronic illness, hospice and end-of-life questions, and the strain caregivers can carry. She also supports people facing panic attacks, attachment struggles, and relationship or communication problems. Her work emphasizes rebuilding self-esteem and cultivating self-love.

Marikay combines approaches that center the person in the room with tools to change thoughts and habits. She draws on client-centered conversations, cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused insights, psychodynamic reflection, and solution-focused planning. Sessions are practical and geared toward everyday life needs.

Clients can expect a patient therapist who talks through emotions without rushing to labels. She helps people sort through guilt, shame, emptiness, and forgiveness at a pace that feels manageable. The aim is clearer thinking and more resilient coping.

Marikay’s practice is grounded in decades of work with older adults and those facing serious health-related stress. She helps people reconnect with purpose and find ways to live with more dignity and strength during hard transitions.

How Marikay’s approaches translate to online care

Marikay integrates client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral and emotionally-focused ideas to help people cope. Client-Centered Therapy means the conversation stays focused on the person’s needs and priorities, helping them feel heard and guiding the session at their pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets thoughts and behaviors that keep someone stuck, offering practical steps to reduce anxiety, depression, and panic symptoms. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) looks at emotional patterns in relationships and individual experience to help people notice and change how they respond to strong feelings.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. She will talk with each person about their goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust as needed. The early sessions often include trying a few ways of working so clients can see what helps most and shape the plan together.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many clients find remote work helps fit therapy into busy days because it removes travel time and can make scheduling easier. Other practical benefits include shorter check-ins when needed, easier participation during caregiving breaks, and options that avoid being on camera if that feels better. Licensed professionals can adapt sessions to the client’s rhythm while focusing on clear coping skills and emotional work.