We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Mara-Joanne Derinor . Check out our conversation below.
Mara-Joanne , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that’s been bringing me joy lately is writing and performing poetry, cooking new dishes, traveling to new places, and getting lost in a good book.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mara-Joanne Derinor, and I am the CEO and founder of Boss Psychiatry & Counseling. As a dedicated psychiatric mental health provider, I specialize in offering comprehensive psychiatric medication management and therapy services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. At the heart of my work is a deep passion for mental wellness, empowerment, and creating a safe space for healing and growth.
In addition to my clinical work, I am also the proud owner of The Boss Residence Books. Through this venture, I’ve authored three inspiring children’s books and one adult poetry book, with many more on the horizon. My writing is rooted in storytelling that uplifts, educates, and connects with readers on a meaningful level.
What makes my work truly unique is the integration of mental health advocacy with creative expression—bridging the gap between clinical care and the healing power of words. Whether in the therapy room or on the page, my mission is to help others find their voice, reclaim their strength, and step fully into their power.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What often breaks the bonds between people is miscommunication—when words are left unspoken, misunderstood, or spoken from a place of pain rather than clarity. Miscommunication creates distance, erodes trust, and allows assumptions to take the place of understanding. Over time, it can fracture even the strongest connections.
What restores those bonds is community, clear and honest communication, and above all, love. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, healing becomes possible. Choosing to listen with empathy, speak with intention, and lead with compassion opens the door for reconciliation and reconnection. True restoration is born in spaces where vulnerability is met with grace, and where people are willing to grow together through the discomfort.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could—it revealed my true potential and inner strength. In moments of pain, uncertainty, and adversity, I discovered resilience I didn’t know I had. Suffering taught me how to keep going when everything in me wanted to give up. It taught me the hustle—not just the grind, but the purpose behind it. The “why” became clear in the struggle, not the victory.
More importantly, suffering softened me. It reminded me of the importance of being kind, always. You never truly know what someone else is carrying. Pain gave me empathy, depth, and a greater sense of humanity. While success may bring recognition, it was suffering that shaped my character and fueled my mission to show up for others with compassion, strength, and unwavering authenticity.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth I hold—one that few may fully agree with—is my unwavering belief in quality over quantity. In a world that often measures success by numbers, I choose to value the depth of care over the volume of patients I see.
To me, every individual deserves to feel seen, heard, and genuinely supported. I believe that true healing happens not in rushed appointments or packed schedules, but in intentional moments where connection, trust, and presence are prioritized. The quality of care I provide is a direct reflection of my purpose, and I will always choose to honor that—even if it means going against the grain.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and all my possessions, what would remain is someone with heart—unshakable, raw, and real. Someone who is strong not because life has been easy, but because she chose to rise every time it wasn’t.
What would remain is someone charismatic and funny, who brings light into heavy spaces. Someone deeply caring and profoundly intelligent, whose wisdom was earned through experience, not just education.
And above all, what would remain is someone who carries purpose in her spirit—someone who loves deeply, leads boldly, and lives with intention, even when no one is watching. That essence—that fire—that’s what can never be taken away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/mara-joanne-derinor/
- Instagram: @bosspsychiatry
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