“Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.” ~ Michelle Rosenthal

I’m here for people who feel overwhelmed and unseen on the inside, even if they seem to be holding it together on the outside. If you’re living with trauma, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, or depression, you know how exhausting it can be. Maybe you’re caught in cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, or using keeping busy as avoidance to get through the day. 

Maybe you’ve felt not “enough” or stuck in patterns that are hard to break. Many of my clients arrive feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or uncertain how change is even possible, especially if past therapy experiences left them feeling unseen or unheard. I care deeply, and I’m committed to making sure you don’t face your struggles and pain without support.

It’s no small thing to invite someone into your struggles. People may expect to cry in therapy, but I want to share, we will laugh together, breathe easier, and feel moments of relief in the midst of it all. I show up with warmth, compassion, curiosity, and clinical tools to help you get where you want to go.

Hi, I’m Marissa, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) specializing in working with teens and adults struggling with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, depression, and deep emotional wounds. Many of the people I see have developed strong protective patterns—perfectionism, overthinking, people-pleasing, anger, trust issues, or avoidance—that now interfere with their ability to be present.

I also have a special interest in working with individuals who are living with chronic health conditions. I know how overwhelming it can feel when your body sets limits you didn’t choose, and how the emotional weight of illness can impact your sense of self, your relationships, and your daily life. In our work together, I create space to process the frustration, grief, or uncertainty that can come with chronic health struggles while also building coping strategies that support both your emotional and physical well-being. My goal is to help you find balance, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of hope, even while navigating ongoing challenges.

Many mental health struggles run deeper than they first appear. My work focuses on understanding how past experiences shape present challenges—and on helping clients build healthier patterns moving forward. 

As an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained clinician with specialized training in crisis intervention, I aim to support healing at the root, not just symptom management. I connect especially well with individuals who feel hesitant to open up or who haven’t found lasting relief in therapy before. My trauma-informed approach creates safety and validation, making space to uncover and work through the core sources of emotional pain.

I prioritize adaptability in sessions because what matters most is finding the approach that resonates with you, and we’ll figure that out together. Some of my clinical toolbox includes:

• EMDR
• Parts Work (IFS, Internal Family Systems)
• ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) for OCD
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

My approach looks at the whole person—your thoughts, emotions, body, and relationships. I pay attention to how experiences show up in the body and, when it makes sense, I’ll bring in strategies that help you reconnect with and trust yourself. I also believe that real change happens in relationships, starting with the one we build in therapy and extending to the people who matter most in your life. Together, we’ll focus on what feels important to you and use your strengths as a foundation for growth.

By the end of our first session, I want you to leave with a clearer sense that you don’t have to figure things out on your own. We’ll start making sense of what’s happening beneath the surface and outline practical steps toward relief and clarity. If hope feels out of reach right now, that’s okay—I’ll help you work toward it at a pace that feels manageable.

A little about me personally: I’m a blend of nerdy and down-to-earth. I love learning about history, philosophy, and psychology. You might find me cheering on the Cubs, discussing ancient Greek thought, or binge-watching reality shows with loved ones and animals nearby. Life is full of struggle, but I try to find meaning, connection, and laughter in the midst of it, and I want to help you do the same!