Courage To Grow Counseling is a psychotherapy practice specializing in LGBTQ2IA+ individual, relationship, and group therapy.

Have you been struggling with concerns related to drug/alcohol use, your relationships (with yourself or with others), adoption or attachment issues, and/or gender/sexuality issues? Together we can work in a supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate space to better understand yourself... why you may choose to do things, and cope in ways, that have been unproductive, problematic, or even harmful to your wellbeing. Through mindfulness we can develop new skills that promote peace & serenity.

I believe we can tap into your innate bravery and find your courage to grow! My practice is LGBTQ2IA+ affirming and intentionally anti-racist.

In our work, I’ll use a holistic, interpersonal/relational, and strengths-based approach to help you develop a new, and more empowering, attitude towards your ability to navigate life’s highs and lows. I believe you have what it takes to face life’s challenges and changes with eyes and arms wide open.

In order to produce lasting and effective change, my role as a therapist is to support and encourage clients who are ready and willing to commit to the growth they wish to see – this means actively participating in session, as well as applying any insights or plans of action into their every day life. My clients are the experts on their own experiences, I am just here to support them every step of the way!

I believe you already have unique life experiences and strengths that can be utilized & fostered as we work together to address your concerns, access resources, and explore the underlying narratives you have about yourself that keep you stuck.

The fact that you're looking through this website seeking a therapist means you're ready for change. I'm ready for you! Let's work!

Original Images by Mallory Hanfling, LCSW

About Mallory

Here’s the part where I share with you the experiences that qualify me to walk this journey with you.

I have over 11 years of experience as a social worker. My interest in a helping profession began very early, and so choosing pursue double degrees at The University of Maryland (GO TERPS!) was an easy decision to make. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and my Bachelor of Science in Family Science in May of 2008 and actively participated in the Psi Chi Honor Society in Psychology and founded the Gamma Lambda chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences. After UMD, I jumped right into my graduate studies the next fall in Philadelphia. I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) from The University of Pennsylvania in 2011 and was hired upon graduation at my field placement at Princeton House Behavioral Health in Cherry Hill.

I worked as a Primary Therapist for adolescents struggling with dual diagnosis (addiction and mental health) at the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient levels of care (the two step-down levels after hospitalization). After leaving Princeton House, my next full-time position was as the Program Director for Heart to Heart, a year-long life coaching and case management program designed to assist and support young Jewish families as they navigated a major life change (i.e. marriage, divorce, death, birth, unemployment, health concerns, etc). During my time with Heart to Heart I pursued my clinical supervision towards my LCSW through Main Line Counseling and Wellness Center in Haverford, PA. These wonderful women kindly offered me a position as an Outpatient Therapist with their practice upon securing my LCSW in March of 2015. I happily worked for MLCWC for a year and a half as the identified LGBTQ2IA+ provider until personal life events temporarily displaced me to New Jersey. During my time in New Jersey I maintained a small caseload of my Main Line Counseling and Wellness clients that wanted to continue working with me.

Upon my (triumphant) return to Philadelphia I began working as a school social worker with Mastery Charter Schools at Mann Elementary, working with children ages 5-12 and their families. After my time with Mastery, I transitioned into a High School Social Worker position (adolescents ages 13-19) with KIPP Philadelphia at KIPP DuBois Charter School where I provided in-school counseling and Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavior Support Plan services for the students and their families, as well as participated in the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. It was at this point that I realized it was time to listen to my head and my heart and build the Queer-Friendly Private Practice I had longed to create for many years. In September 2020 I received my Post Graduate Certificate in LBGTQ Relevancy through Adelphi University School of Social Work. I am licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, and happily work with clients virtually from all three states.

And here we are today! I am currently enrolled as a doctoral student at the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS) working towards a PhD in Human Sexuality. My research focus is on the population I endearingly refer to as “fireflies” (also known as “late blooming lesbians” or “late bloomers”) and the impact of compulsory heterosexuality on the firefly journey. I am actively working towards becoming certified as a sex therapist through AASECT.

My hope is that by sharing these experiences with you, I will be able to convey my sincere dedication to the work I do with my clients and my commitment to assisting you in your own personal growth. It takes courage to believe in yourself and your dream and leave the safety of what is familiar and comfortable. Let me help you find your own courage to grow!