Maryellen received her Bachelor of science degree from Brockport, State University of New York in 2011 in psychology and health science. Maryellen then graduated from Medaille College with her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2014. She later received her New York State License in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) in 2015. Maryellen was also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) in 2018.

Maryellen has worked in OASAS substance abuse counseling facilities, domestic violence facilities, hospitals, and mental health clinics. Maryellen has worked with both children and adults. Maryellen has been a psychology professor at Nazareth College since 2018 and has owned a private therapy practice since 2017.

Maryellen started the Okay-ish podcast in 2020 on a mission to translate trendy mental health terms into what they actually mean, helping to educate and make therapy and therapeutic topics more accessible.