Compassionate, direct therapy that supports autonomy, accountability, and real change.
Starting therapy can feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re used to handling things on your own or keeping certain parts of your life to yourself. My goal is to create a space where people can show up honestly without feeling judged, minimized, or analyzed from a distance.
I work with individuals and couples who want to better understand themselves, their relationships, and the patterns that keep showing up in their lives. Many clients come to therapy feeling stuck in the same arguments, emotional reactions, or decisions they don’t fully understand. Together we slow things down enough to look at what may be happening underneath those patterns and identify meaningful ways to move forward.
My style in therapy tends to be warm, curious, and direct. I believe people are capable of meaningful change, and that change often begins with being able to look honestly at our experiences, our behavior, and the ways we relate to others. I try to balance compassion with accountability so clients can explore difficult topics without feeling shamed or dismissed. I also place a strong emphasis on autonomy. Therapy is not about telling you who you should be or what decisions you should make. Instead, it is about helping you better understand yourself so you can make intentional choices that align with the life you want.
Before entering the counseling field, I spent nearly a decade working in acute mental health and crisis response. That experience shaped the way I approach therapy today. I have spent a great deal of time supporting individuals during moments of significant distress, which has made me comfortable working with complex emotions, complicated situations, and conversations that may feel difficult to bring up anywhere else.
My work is informed by attachment theory, trauma-informed care, parts-based approaches such as Internal Family Systems, and practical strategies drawn from CBT and ACT. In simple terms, this means we focus on understanding what is happening internally while also developing realistic ways to respond differently moving forward.
I also have professional experience working alongside justice-involved populations and hold a strong clinical interest in accountability, rehabilitation, and the treatment of individuals who have engaged in harmful or problematic sexual behaviors. I believe meaningful behavioral change is possible when people are given space to examine their patterns honestly while also taking responsibility for their actions.
My hope is that clients leave therapy feeling more empowered, more able to communicate honestly, and more confident in their capacity to grow.
Marissa currently provides counseling under clinical supervision as part of her clinical training.
