Polly Ely, MFT

Polly founded The LAB Method out of a desire to provide early mental health intervention and practical guidance (at a cost that is less expensive than therapy) to parents in the service of preserving and protecting the mental health of families in Marin County. She noticed, in her practice, that those who were seeking family therapy were often already in a crisis that could have been prevented with early education and understanding. Out of her drive to bring life-changing mental health information to parents before problems arise, she began to offer parent LABs so parents with kids at every age and stage could gather digestible bits of guidance in a group format. She called the group a “LAB” to encourage people to go beyond what they already know how to do when relating to their families and try some new relational “experiments.” Each experiment she offers is designed to bring family members closer, while preventing chronic loneliness, buried anger, and dysfunction within families.

Polly received her master’s degree from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California in 2011. Shortly after graduating, she became a devoted practitioner of an experiential form of healing called Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), which she has joined with her own body of work for families called The LAB Method. Today, she brings her work forward via the Parent School Podcast as well as virtual and in-person Parent LABs.

“I have been joyfully married to my best friend for 25 years. My partner and I have worked hard to keep our relationship with ourselves and each other at the forefront of our lives despite the intense demands of parenting and work. We have raised two extraordinary adults who have come to be our friends and mentees (sometimes). The road has been messy and raw at times but every single thing I teach, I have also practiced and upheld in my own home.” -Polly

Polly’s speaking style:

Recently reviewed as "a passionate, inspired, supportive, gritty crusader," Polly dedicates her professional energy to bringing forth a truthful (and hilarious) conversation about the real life picture of parenting and family life. She provides "the ultimate roadmap with practical fixes and immediate solutions for getting unstuck with kids, while always tying the little moments of the day to a bigger picture relating to mental health, secure attachment and addiction prevention.”

With compassion and a judgment-free delivery, she guides parents through the twists and turns of parenting at every age and stage, teaching them (often through stories of her own fumbles) HOW to be in charge and be relaxed at the same time. She writes and speaks as a supportive ally to parents and partners everywhere, naming and normalizing the sometimes harrowing journey of parenting and giving parents actual routes out of the places where they tend to feel lost.