You’re the one everyone counts on—the strong one, the dependable one. But lately, holding it all together feels heavier than ever. Maybe you’re stuck in old patterns, questioning your worth, or silently battling people-pleasing, perfectionism, or the weight of unhealed trauma. On the outside, you might look like you're doing fine, but inside, you're just trying to keep from falling apart. Hi, I’m Marisa—a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting women who appear to have it all together but are quietly carrying the emotional weight of anxiety, overwhelm, and unresolved pain. One thing I’ve noticed again and again in my work is that years of internalizing and compartmentalizing emotional pain often begin to surface—not just mentally, but physically and relationally. What’s carried silently inside eventually starts to disrupt life on the outside. This realization deepened my passion for supporting women in their holistic wellness—because true healing includes mind, body, and soul. In our work together, you’ll have a space to just be—a space where you don’t have to perform or have it all figured out. I use a holistic, trauma-informed approach that weaves together evidence-based practices like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness to help you reconnect with yourself, feel grounded again, and move forward with confidence and clarity.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session is all about you—your story, your experiences, and what’s bringing you to therapy. It’s a chance for you to feel seen, heard, and prioritized in a space that’s supportive and judgment-free. We’ll gently explore the patterns, challenges, or life experiences that may be weighing you down. I’ll ask thoughtful, grounding questions to begin understanding your inner world, and together, we’ll set intentions for the path ahead. Most importantly, there’s no pressure—you set the pace, and I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to put people at ease. Many clients have shared that they were nervous about starting therapy—especially for the first time or after a not-so-great experience—but quickly felt comfortable and safe with me. I believe that comes from showing up as my full, authentic self: not just as a therapist, but as a woman who truly gets it. I also bring a deep sense of emotional intelligence and empathy into the room. Clients often tell me I “just get it”—that I know what to say and when to say it, in a way that helps them feel seen, validated, and supported exactly where they are.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I support women who are used to being the strong one—the helper, the achiever, the one who always shows up for everyone else. On the surface, life may look successful, but underneath, you’re battling anxiety, self-doubt, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or the weight of unhealed trauma. You may be navigating a life transition, grief, burnout, or simply feeling emotionally depleted from always holding it together. If you’re ready to stop just surviving and start truly healing, I offer a space where you don’t have to carry it all alone—a space where you can breathe, feel seen, and begin to reconnect with your most authentic self.
About Marisa Rayford
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Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients build psychological flexibility and develop a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions. Through mindfulness and value-based action, I guide clients in moving toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life, even in the presence of difficult feelings.
Grief Therapy
In grief therapy, I help clients navigate the complex emotions that come with all forms of loss—not just the death of a loved one, but also the grief that can arise from major life changes, the end of relationships, or letting go of outdated versions of themselves. I provide a compassionate, supportive space for clients to process their experiences, honor what was, and find meaning and healing in their growth.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify, challenge, and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that fuel anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. The focus is on equipping clients with practical, evidence-based strategies to manage distress, shift negative thinking, and foster long-term emotional resilience and well-being.
Trauma Informed Care
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), my approach is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care principles, emphasizing safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration. I help clients understand the impact of trauma on both the mind and body, equipping them with tools for emotional regulation, resilience, and self-healing. I also integrate Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to support those navigating childhood, complex, or relational trauma. Using gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, and emotional processing techniques, I guide clients in reducing trauma symptoms, rebuilding a sense of safety, and reclaiming their lives.
Schema Therapy
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, I integrate Schema Therapy to help clients identify and heal the deep-rooted emotional patterns—like abandonment, shame, or unrelenting standards—that often stem from childhood experiences and show up in present-day struggles. This approach blends cognitive, attachment-based, and experiential techniques to uncover the "schemas" driving chronic stress, people-pleasing, or self-doubt. In session, I guide clients through identifying their coping modes, exploring unmet needs, and using tools like imagery or chair work to reprocess early wounds. Schema Therapy aligns seamlessly with my trauma-informed lens, allowing us to go beyond symptom relief and create meaningful, lasting change from the inside out.