A Local Champion for Holistic Wellness

Dr. Jeanie Marino is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Simmons University. With her holistic approach to therapy, Marino is giving mental health a makeover. Headquartered in Hopkinton, Marino’s odyssey is also informed by her personal and professional experiences, which have a concrete effect on the world around her.

Connecting Through MMA

Marino’s passions produced a serendipitous result when she heard local MMA fighter Hillarie Rose on the radio. A Bellingham native, Rose was gearing up for a historic strawweight title fight and discussing her previous battle with an eating disorder and her work with women’s body positivity.

Touched by Rose’s story and forthrightness, Marino made a connection and eventually became one of Rose’s sponsors. As Rose walked to the ring, Marino’s business logo was emblazoned on the back of Rose’s fight shirt.

It was an emblem of solidarity and support for women battling back. Marino’s patronage was more than simply a business decision; it speaks directly to her passion for helping women who, like Rose, battle with body image and eating disorders. Marino ministers to many young and grown women with similar challenges. Rose won her fight, and the victory is shared between both communities.

Background

Marino grew up in Northbridge and Wakefield, Massachusetts, where she moved at age 12. She graduated from Springfield College with a master’s in social work. She then underwent the grueling process of becoming a licensed independent clinical social worker, which included years of supervised experience. She earned her doctorate (DSW) from Simmons University.

Strong family ties and a wish to give back to the community that molded her brought Marino back to Northbridge. She opened a private practice in 2020 and then paused to pursue her doctorate, working with the Vendetti Wellness Group in Hopkinton, a local enterprise supporting her goals. After she completed her DSW, Marino reopened her practice with a new identity.

A Human-Centered, Fitness-Enabled Model of Care

Marino’s pioneering approach to merging physical fitness with mental health counseling makes her unique. For her doctoral capstone, she worked to develop a treatment curriculum for police officers dealing with trauma, a group that is typically underserved by conventional mental health methods.

Observing the singular pressures experienced by first responders, Marino created a program that blended psychotherapy with powerlifting. This mechanism sought to tackle trauma via both psychological and physiological routes, leaving subjects feeling more in control.

“I created a course in combining psychotherapy with powerlifting, and what we do is a distillation of mental and physical support. It’s through the integrated body; very often, when people come to see me, they’re saying, ‘I want my mental health to be better, but I’m not taking great care of my body.’” — Dr. Jeanie Marino

Today, her practice comprises a variety of clients, from those with eating disorders to those facing depression, anxiety, and trauma. Wellness means being strong, fit, and confident—not being thin, insists Marino. Her partnership with a local nutritionist upholds this perspective, encouraging clients to transition from appearance goals to strength and self-love.

Collaboration to Empower Clients

The therapy process with Marino is a collaboration. In the intake, she collaborates with her clients to establish goals and identify the best course of action while honoring their autonomy and individual strengths. She believes that clients should have a role in their recovery and that she and her clients should discuss how often and how she may best support them.

Her goal is to educate her clients so that they ultimately feel mastery over their well-being. Many of Marino’s established clients visit as needed, continuing a connection based on trust and continuity of care.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Jeanie Marino’s fresh approach to combining psychotherapy and fitness, her passion for body positivity, and her commitment to community involvement make her a trailblazer in today’s mental health landscape. By questioning the norm and practicing a more well-rounded method, Marino returns power to clients—mentally and physically—one session at a time.

CONTACT:
Jeanie Marino, DSW, LICSW
Founder | Holistic Mind & Muscle
77 Main St. Hopkinton, MA 01748
(774) 276-9004
holisticmindandmuscle.com