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Mery Vargas Mares, MA, MFT, RYT, CIMHP

Transformation from LOSS is possible
Let me guide you in your journey..

About Yellow Mariposa Wellness

 
Throughout many cultures, butterflies (mariposas) and more specifically yellow butterflies signify rebirth, hope, beauty….TRANSFORMATION and change. It is said that when a yellow butterfly flutters across your path, it symbolizes a deceased loved one. Perhaps watching over you, sending you a sign of lively yellow hope (esperanza), or giving you some much needed inspiration or purpose while your broken heart is healing. Yellow Mariposa Wellness was built from the inspiration surrounding the many yellow butterflies that appeared and continue to appear following the sudden traumatic death of my brother in 2012. It was from this devastation and brokenness, that at the time felt like a never-ending black hole, that I dove deeper into my MEDITATION practice, and started my second career as a psychotherapist.  I transformed my pain to inspiration and started addressing my own mental health, past buried pains & traumas, non-death losses & current relationships. One mariposa amarilla (yellow) sighting after another, the vision unfolded and the grayness of the world that overcame me for several years started to slowly turn back to beautiful shades of color. WE, this, us, YOU, would not be here without the yellow butterflies that inspired my journey.      
My deepest intent is that whomever receives services from me feels the absolute LOVE, energy, passion, & empathy that I have poured into creating Yellow Mariposa Wellness. This is my absolute purpose in life & gift to the world. Whatever loss brings you here and whereever you are in your grief journey, whether you are grieving a death, have experienced a loss of a dream, job, relationship, or your childhood, may you be guided by me to begin your transformational journey, just like the butterfly. 
With Much Gratitude For the Opportunity To Service You, 
Mery Vargas Mares

About Mery...


I've known since I was young child that I was destined to help people
and so I started my professional career as a school teacher. I also taught yoga for years starting in 2006, worked as a School Counselor, and now am doing my dream career as an integrative psychotherapist and meditation teacher.  I've always been pulled in the direction of merging mind, body & soul and have been meditating for over 20 years.
 I have also been greatly influenced by the cultural and healing practices of my Ecuadorian and Mexican-
American roots. My great grandmother, lovingly known  as Tita, was a renown curandera in her town--healing people with physical and mental aliments. Her presence, LOVE, and passion has inspired me to create a space where I can merge my love for psychotherapy, somatic work, MEDITATION, mindfulness practices, integrative mental health guidance, and other creative approaches to give clients and others who are struggling with LOSS a deeply integrative path towards healing. 
THE LOVE I have for helping others and facilitating a healing journey in my clients presents itself not only in counseling sessions, but also in teaching meditation classes and workshops, consulting, coaching, and speaking.  I'm proud to offer services in both Spanish and English.

Education/Certifications/ Accolades

  • 2000 University of Southern California CPE, Member of the Year award 

  • 2002 University of Southern California, BA Social Science Education, Minor in Spanish  

  • 2003 California State University Long Beach, Social Studies and ELD Teacher Credentialing 

  • 2005-2006 DRHS Teacher With The Best Attitude Award 

  • 2006 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (RYT), Yoga Loka, Reno NV 

  • 2012-2013 Start Thinking About College (STAC) Keynote Motivational Speaker 

  • 2013 Hispanic Youth Leadership Keynote Motivational Speaker  

  • 2014 University of Nevada, Reno : MA in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in School Counseling 

  • 2014 UNR John Bailey Outstanding Counseling Award-awarded to 1 counseling graduate who shows the most promise in impacting the community & counseling profession  

  • 2015 University of Nevada, Reno: Completion of MFT (Marriage Family Therapy Coursework for Credentialing) 

  • 2020 NVSCA (Nevada School Counselor Association) Member Spotlight for September 

  • 2021-2022 200 hour Instinctive Meditation® Teacher Certification 

  • 2022 Trauma & Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents Provider (TGCTA) 

  • 2022 Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) (Trained by Harvard Medical School Graduate, Dr. Leslie Korn) 

  • 2022-2023 EMDR Training (Trainer: Megan Boardman, LCSW) 

  • 2022-2024 Member of the Advanced Consultation Group for Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals with Dr. Leslie Korn (Meets 1/a month) 

  • 2023 Advanced Grief Counselng Specialist Training with Claire Bidwell Smith

  • 2024 Going With Grace Death Doula Training with Alua Arthur

  • 2024 EMDRIA training for EMDR

  • 2024 Stress Is Gone, w/Brett Cotter: Certified Meditation Teacher Trauma Specialist

  • 2024 Stress is Gone, w/Brett Cotter: Intuitive Trauma Recovery Coach Training (In Process)