Jamie Marich
"Welcome to my website, dedicated to my activities in counseling, online teaching, instruction, professional training and music. I hope that this website will give you a sampling of what I have to offer, and if it is meant to be, maybe we'll find ourselves working together one day." -Jamie
Jamie Marich is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC-III) in the state of Ohio. Jamie has worked in mental health residential treatment, and in chemical dependency treatment as an inpatient, outpatient, and dual diagnosis counselor. Jamie obtained her Master of Arts degree in Counseling in 2005 from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and she is currently a Ph.D. candidate through Capella University’s online program in Human Services (specializing in counseling studies). Jamie also teaches for several reputable online universities. In addition to her formal education and work experience, Jamie has obtained advanced training in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and trauma. Jamie is trained in an advanced technique for the treatment of PTSD called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and she has actively implemented this technique into her own counseling practice. Jamie is a Certified EMDR Therapist through the EMDR International Association. Jamie has become an active member of the EMDR International Association, and she presented research at its 2007 annual conference in Dallas, TX. Jamie is also a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, the American Counseling Association, and the Ohio Counseling Association.
Jamie specializes in addiction treatment (chemical & behavioral), PTSD/issues related to abuse and trauma, dissociative disorders, spiritual issues (including recovery from spiritual abuse), cross-cultural issues, consultation/mentoring, grief/loss, group therapy, and she has a special passion for treating young adults and women. Much of the enthusiasm that Jamie brings to the counseling setting has sprung forth from her own recovery and experiences with the healing process. Jamie has also been praised by clients and colleagues for her ability to use the creative arts, including her first love, music, into the counseling and healing process.
Jamie grew up in Youngstown, OH where she was raised with a strong commitment to her Croatian heritage. However, Jamie grew up in an interfaith household and lived with spiritual conflict from an early age. “Working through this as I matured and coming to a relationship with a God who loves me has been a critical part of my own healing,” Jamie states, “And I feel that having this experience has made me good at what I do in both counseling and the creative arts.” After finishing her Bachelor’s degree, Jamie moved to her ancestral homeland and ultimately spent 2 ½ in Bosnia-Hercegovina teaching English at a parish-run children’s home, playing music with an international folk group, and working as a language assistant. While in Bosnia, two of her mentors suggested that she pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling due to the depth of life experience that she had obtained to that point in her life. “It’s a decision that I have not once regretted!,” Jamie notes, “Counseling is a profession where the sum total of my life, together with my formal training, has fused beautifully, and it has been a good match for me.”
Jamie has recorded 3 musical CDs. The first two catered to her following in spiritual music; however, her most recent release, 2004’s Under My Roof, is an anthology of songs she wrote as part of her own journey of recovery and healing. “As a counselor, this CD means the most to me for that very reason,” Jamie says. Jamie’s work with the creative arts has been rich: she began Suzuki violin lessons at age 3 and began performing in a Croatian folk troupe at age 4. As a child and teenager, Jamie also participated in theater, competitive figure skating, dancing, and as a high school student, Jamie qualified to national competitions in Speech and History, and she competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair at the age of 16. Jamie also has extensive experience as a Speech coach: she had the distinction of coaching the Ohio state champion in Prose/Poetry reading in 2005, who did so by reading David Pelzer’s A Child Called It. Jamie says, “Coaching my students from 2003-2006 as I was working on launching my counseling career was the ultimate fusion of my two loves- the arts and healing.” As an adult, Jamie has performed extensively as a singer/songwriter/instrumentalist (guitar, violin) with her musical partner, Jim Stafford, in various venues. Jamie has also taken up ballroom dancing, which she says has done wonders for her mental health, while continuing to absorb good music from a plethora of artists.
Jamie provides individual counseling out of the PsyCare, Inc. office in Liberty, Ohio, conducts professional trainings, and offers online counseling. Jamie is passionate about using EMDR as a component of addiction treatment. She is conducting research in this area as part of her dissertation, and she organized a community-based training in Northeastern Ohio along with EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs.
Jamie lives in Warren, OH with her boyfriend Bruce and her cats, Apollo and Joy.