My name is Marina A. Smirnova. I was born on Sakhalin island (the Far East of Russia), and, over twenty years ago, I made the U.S.A. my home. My journey has been enriched by earning a Bachelor degree in Music Education (Minsk State Pedagogical University, 1996), a Master of Arts degree in Counseling (Central Michigan University, 2003), and a PhD degree in Psychology, with Transpersonal Psychology Concentration (Sofia University, formerly Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, 2013).

In addition to being an award-winning Full Professor at Saybrook University, I am honored to serve others therapeutically as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). In therapeutic contexts, I support adults who are questing for spiritual vitality, fulfillment, optimal well-being, vibrant longevity, and joy. I help them to re-contextualize, recalibrate, reclaim, repurpose, and fully integrate their deeply evocative spiritual encounters and Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs) found in profound dreams, visions and visionary journeys and encounters, and other rich transpersonal phenomena.

My heart-centered and spiritually imbued therapeutic approach incorporates perspectives of C.G. Jung, Stan Grof, John E. Mack, David R. Hawkins, Joseph Campbell, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Bruce H. Lipton, Richard Rudd, and John Diamond. In addition, I have a deep sense of appreciation for mystical, esoteric, ancient wisdom, and spiritual traditions and practices of the world. Most importantly, I offer my clients a supportive, encouraging presence, so that they can advance their inner work toward realizing their highest potentials.

I look forward to supporting your journey of individuation and authentic flourishing!