Marquita Bolden, LCSW, RSW

Marquita Bolden (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Therapy Center of Philadelphia (TCP), bringing a wealth of experience in clinical training, community engagement, and program development. As a Black, straight, cisgender woman, she provides a unique and valuable perspective in her professional and personal life. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice, Marquita specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Penn Medicine’s Center for Cognitive Therapy during her graduate studies. After graduation, she refined her clinical skills over more than 10 years by providing trauma-focused therapy to children, teenagers, and adults at various Philadelphia agencies.

Marquita launched her private practice in 2013, now named Mosaic Bloom Counseling, to create a healing space for trauma recovery. The practice symbolizes weaving together fragmented experiences into a cohesive whole, reflecting her commitment to helping clients embrace their identities and flourish.

In 2016, Marquita joined TCP as a  Clinical Supervisor, advocating for the agency’s mission of providing affirming mental health care for transgender people, gender-diverse individuals, and women. She has been instrumental in centering the “Self of the Therapist” framework, intersectional feminism, and social justice-informed care, collaborating with former Executive Director Alison Gerig and TCP leadership to develop innovative policies. Her efforts have also elevated TCP’s Internship program into a highly regarded training site in the Philadelphia region.

Marquita joined the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work (PSCSW) in 2017, serving on the Continuing Education Committee.  As the Philadelphia Coffee & Conversations Programs Coordinator for PSCSW, she organized continuing education presentations for mental health professionals. That same year, she completed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training with the EMDR Institute and a certificate program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Bryn Mawr College. In 2018, she furthered her expertise with the Advanced Training Program in Transgender Mental Health at Widener University, enhancing her skills in providing trans-affirming care.  Most recently, Marquita earned certification in EMDR therapy through EMDR International Institute (EMDRIA).

With 18 years of experience as a dedicated therapist committed to a feminist approach, Marquita emphasizes the importance of authenticity in therapeutic relationships. Her feminist lens honors the unique identities of each client, understanding them within broader social and political contexts.

Beyond her professional achievements, Marquita values her roles as a wife, mother to a teen and tween, and pet owner. She enjoys family game nights, TV lounging, and supporting her children’s sports activities. These personal experiences shape her empathetic and compassionate approach to therapy, grounding her work in equality and understanding. Marquita looks forward to guiding clients on their journeys of growth and healing at TCP.