Hi, my name is Marissa! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and have been providing therapy for the past five years. I specialize in trauma-informed care and support individuals who are navigating anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, burnout, and other overwhelming life stressors. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard, gain insight, and begin to heal.
I always begin with an introductory session, where you’ll have the space to share your story and what you hope to get out of therapy. I strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel safe, comfortable, and open to being vulnerable. From there, we’ll work together in each session to move toward your goals and make meaningful progress at a pace that feels right for you.
Having worked with children, youth, and families for the past 5 years, I've developed a tried-and-true playbook for helping you (a) identify the root cause of your challenges and (b) create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress.
My clients will receive an individualized tailor approach for their specific mental health needs. Once we decide to work together, you will be the driver and I will gently guide you through your therapeutic journey. It is important that we communicate openly and feel respected in our relationship. I will be to listen to you, challenge you, and support you along the way.
CBT is utilized to support clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Once learned the next step is to teach clients to challenge and change negative or unhelpful patterns.
This modality is utilized when a client might need some extra support in grounding. This modality focuses on becoming more aware of your own thoughts and feelings to reduce automatic negative responses and improve mental well-being.
I utilize this modality as a way to support clients in thinking deeper on how and why they might choose to do certain things. This modality is to aim for self-awareness and insight to improve mental health and relationships.
I have attended trainings and consultations for trauma informed care and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. I have utilized these methods for about 3 years in my practice. I never pressure my clients through this modality but ensure they know the risks and benefits. If they chose to process their trauma then I gently guide them through this modality.
This modality is used to highlight the client's strengths and resources to promote positive change and well-being.