A relational somatic therapist with long brown hair sitting in an inviting therapy office with beige bookshelf filled with books.

About Mackenzie Glassner, LAPC, MHC-A, M.Phil.Ed.

I’m here to help you rediscover the “you” you’ve been searching for.

I’m a Philadelphia-based Polyvagal therapist (click here to find out what this means) who specializes in the struggles embedded within our connectedness. This could be based in relationships with others (think familial ruptures, friendship struggles, and/or issues within romantic relationships), the relationship within ourselves (think self-esteem, lack of boundaries, people-pleasing, lack of identity), and our relationship to the world around us (think nervous system dysregulation and/or trauma reactions). My clients refer to my approach as personable, approachable, authentic and present. I’m often found with a mug of tea and a dog cuddled in my lap during sessions, and it’s not uncommon to hear laughter interspersed with our deep healing work.

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How I work:

My work is built on the foundational belief that connection is the basis of healing.

Through building a therapeutic relationship based in trust, safety, and presence, we’ll gently explore what’s been holding you back, and begin moving toward deeper connection with yourself and others.

Therapy with me is…

  • I’ve been in your position: feeling frustrated, disconnected, and unable to truly believe that it can get better. I experienced firsthand how life-changing the “right fit” therapy can be. In my own healing journey, I discovered the power of combining somatic nervous system work with deeply relational support, and became inspired to foster the same growth in others as a therapist.

  • We’re here for lasting change, not a quick fix, and that requires you to honor your process. We give you the gift of patience, and we meet you where you are in your journey. We will focus on building safety and stability, one step at a time.

  • My work is resilience-focused and strengths-based, rooted in the core belief that your capacity for growth has unlimited potential. Together, we’ll collaborate to identify your goals and dreams for your therapeutic journey, and we’ll provide the steady presence and consistent work you need to make those goals and dreams your reality.

My Training & Education

    • University of Pennsylvania; M.Phil.Ed. in Professional Counseling

    • University of Pennsylvania; M.S.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling

    • Pennsylvania Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (APC000101)

    • Rhode Island Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (MHC00339-A)

    • Trauma-Informed Polyvagal Theory Certification Program (2025)

    • Integrative Trauma Training (2024)

    • Trauma-Informed Attachment Therapy Training (2024)

    • Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist Training (2024)

    • Mindfulness Certification Training (2024)

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Certification Training (2024)

    • Awarded title of Feldman Family Scholar, University of Pennsylvania

    • Awarded graduate research assistantship, University of Pennsylvania

    • Member of American Counseling Association

    • Member of Psi Chi International Psychology Honor Society

You're here because you’re feeling called to try out a new way of being.

You’ve spent a long time navigating the world in survival mode: overthinking, disconnecting, people-pleasing, or feeling stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand. Maybe your relationships feel confusing or unsatisfying, or you struggle to feel certain of who you are. These patterns developed with good intentions to keep you safe and connected in the context of your past, but now they may be keeping you from the connection, clarity, and self-trust you’re longing for.

Therapy is a place to slow down, get curious, and gently explore the reasons that you’ve been protecting, performing, or hiding. Through a therapeutic relationship based in an open mind and an open heart, we’ll work together to untangle old patterns, support your nervous system, and reconnect you with your deepest self, so that you can begin to live life from a more authentic and grounded place. If you’d like to learn more about how this works, click here.

Two things can be true at once: You want change, but parts of you resist it.

This inner conflict isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you, it’s your nervous system working to protect you. Change can be scary. It’s unfamiliar, and therefore uncomfortable. Together, we’ll slow down and listen to those survival patterns with care - not to override them, but to understand them. We’ll learn to find safety in vulnerability, so you can embrace growth rather than brace against it.

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Get in touch

Let’s start a new chapter of your story, one session at a time.

Reach out to me if you’d like to schedule a day and time for a free, confidential phone consultation. This will be a chance for you to share about yourself, to reflect on your hopes for your therapeutic experience, and to ask me any questions about the process. I’ll share with you about my therapeutic style, my clinical experience, and expectations for the start of the journey.

discover your inner anchor of Safe & Connected.

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discover your inner anchor of Safe & Connected. —