Mary Kay Cocharo, MFT

11/18/2025

Being in nature restores my well-being. 🌿✨

There’s something about stepping outside—feeling the air on my skin, hearing the rustle of leaves, noticing the simple beauty around me—that brings me back to myself.

In a world that moves quickly, these small pauses in nature remind us to breathe, soften, and reconnect with what truly matters.

What helps you reconnect? 🌱

11/14/2025

In a past article of mine, I shared how powerful it can be to simply pause during the holiday season — to slow down, look around, and let gratitude take the lead.

The time between Halloween and New Year’s Day offers us the possibility of deep joy and connection with family and friends… but it can also bring stress, pressure, and moments of feeling overwhelmed. What then are the practices we can engage in that will bring us more joy and less stress?

In this post, I revisit that gentle reminder to be present, savor what’s here, and let gratitude open the door to more ease, meaning, and connection.

📖 Read more here ➤ https://www.mkcocharo.com/stop-look-and-enjoy-this-holiday-season-with-gratitude/

What’s one moment you’re choosing to truly see and appreciate this holiday season?

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” ~ David Steindl-Rast The time between Halloween and New Year’s Day offers us the possibility of joy and connection to family and friends, as well as the possibility for stress, an...

11/11/2025

Today, I pause to honor the brave individuals who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

To every veteran and military family: thank you. Your strength, resilience, and willingness to protect what matters most remind us of the power of service and the depth of human connection.

May we recognize not just your service, but also the stories, relationships, and healing journeys that continue long after the uniform is worn.

Your contributions ripple through our communities in countless ways, and we are deeply grateful.

With respect and heartfelt appreciation, today and always. 🇺🇸💞

11/04/2025

✨ Introducing a Tool to Support Deeper Connection ✨

This project was born from my deep love of helping couples strengthen their relationships and from my desire to offer them simple, meaningful ways to connect between sessions.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed how small moments of intentional connection can transform a relationship. That inspired me to create the Connect-Communicate-Create Couples Card Deck, a resource designed to help partners open up, listen deeply, and rekindle closeness. 💞

I’m thrilled to finally share it with you, my professional community and dear friends, who share this same passion for guiding couples toward deeper intimacy and joy.

Whether you use it in session, as a take-home assignment, or as a resource recommendation, I hope it supports you in the important work you do.

Learn more here:
🔗 https://www.connect-communicate-create.com/

11/03/2025

🐝 Monday Reflection

“All knowledge, the totality of all questions and answers, is contained in the dog.” — Franz Kafka

After watching my little bumblebee buzz through Halloween, I couldn’t help but think how true this is. Dogs embody such wisdom, presence, forgiveness, joy, and unconditional love.

As we start a new week, may we all take a cue from them:
🌼 Be curious
🐝 Move with joy
💛 Love freely

Here’s to a mindful, heart-centered Monday. 🐾

11/01/2025

I hope we Couples Therapists don’t have to deal with this on Monday!!

10/31/2025

🐝🎃 Happy Halloween from my little bumble-bee-utiful friend! 🎃🐝

Halloween reminds us how fun it can be to play, dress up, and step into a different role for a while, something couples can benefit from, too! 💫

When we let go of our usual patterns and just play together, we reconnect to joy, curiosity, and love.

Wishing you a day full of laughter, connection, and maybe a little candy! 🍬👻

10/30/2025

"In the perspective of infinity, our differences are infinitesimal. We are intimately related." - Fred Rogers

I love this quote! 💖 Fred Rogers’ words are such a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. In the day-to-day, it’s easy to get caught in the stories of “us versus them” — to focus on differences in opinion, background, or experience. But when we step back and view ourselves through a wider lens, we remember that we are deeply interconnected.

In relationships, healing begins when we shift from separation to connection, when we choose curiosity over judgment and compassion over fear. This is where true closeness grows.

10/25/2025

💞 National I Care About You Day 💞

Today is a beautiful reminder to pause and show the people in your life how much they matter, especially your partner.

Sometimes we assume they already know… but saying “I care about you” out loud (or showing it through a small gesture) can go a long way in keeping love alive.

✨ Try one of these simple ways to express care today:
• Send a thoughtful text or voice note
• Offer a long hug without words
• Do something that lightens their load
• Look into their eyes and tell them one thing you appreciate

Caring is love in action. ❤️
How will you say “I care about you” today?

10/24/2025

💬 Therapist-Approved! 💬

I love hearing how the Connect–Communicate–Create card deck is showing up in real relationships, especially from fellow clinicians.

Here’s what one clinical psychologist (who specializes in couples therapy!) had to say:

“Mary Kay, who has more than 30 years of experience working with couples, has created a fun and easy way for couples to deepen their connection through her card deck, “Connect, Communicate, Create.” As a couples therapist myself, I have introduced this card deck to my clients, and they have found it to be most valuable. I highly recommend using this card deck.”

Helping couples connect more deeply, both in and out of therapy, is exactly why this deck was created. 💞🃏

If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the perfect time:
👉 Physical Deck on Amazon
👉 Virtual Deck on Deckible
🌐 Visit www.connect-communicate-create.com for more information and to get yours!

10/20/2025

I find tremendous joy in witnessing the magic that unfolds when couples truly reconnect. 💞

We come into the world connected, it’s our natural state. But as life happens, that connection can be disrupted, leaving us feeling isolated. I believe that only through re-connection do we return to our original wholeness.

That belief led me to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. For over 35 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping couples meet each other in their true essence and I never stop being moved by the transformations I witness. ✨

Over the years, I’ve created tools for couples, developed trainings for therapists, and shared insights as an expert contributor all with one goal: helping people reconnect to love, to self, and to each other. ❤️

🔗 Learn more:
Couples Card Deck: https://www.connect-communicate-create.com/

Training for Therapists: https://encounter-centered-couples-therapy.my.canva.site/

Expert Contributions: https://www.mkcocharo.com/expert-contributions/

10/16/2025

Take your Connect - Communicate - Create Card Deck anywhere with Deckible 💕

You can connect, communicate, and create with your partner — anytime, anywhere.

Perfect for cozy nights in, road trips, or long-distance love.

Use the cards on their own or as a complement to Couples Therapy to enhance your emotional and physical bond.

How to Use the Deck:
🕯️ Set aside undistracted time
⏱️ Use a timer for guided exercises
🎴 Shuffle the deck or explore one suit at a time to practice meaningful connection

Find it now on Deckible!
👉 https://www.deckible.com/card-decks/5H6-connect-communicate-create-deepen-your-bond-transform-your-relationship-mary-kay-cocharo