Meet Marisa

I identify as a queer, white, neurodivergent femme and use she/they pronouns. As a queer-identified, gender expansive, intersex femme person with class and race privilege, I believe it is important to prioritize naming our social locations and how they inform the ways we move, think and show up in our lives. I have a genetic condition called Turner Syndrome that impacts the ways in which I communicate, process and move through the world. Culturally, I am Italian American. I identify strongly with Buddhist philosophy. I practice meditation in my personal life and enjoy integrating these techniques into sessions with clients to facilitate a mind, body, spirit connection.

I believe that our pain and suffering is directly connected to our values and that exploration of our pain can lead to our liberation. I am passionate about social justice and strive to bring cultural accountability into my therapeutic work, maintain a lifelong examination of my areas of privilege, particularly around my whiteness, and hold an anti-racist, anti-oppressive lens.

Clinical Approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Feminist
Attachment Focused EMDR Therapy
Client-Centered Therapy
Mindfulness Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Solution-Focused Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy

Professional Affiliations

Education and Certification

I work with folks who struggle with the following...

Fawning and people pleasing
Depression and dissociation
Setting boundaries
Anxiety and/or avoidance in their relationships
Anxiety and isolation related to the ongoing pandemic
Overthinking, ruminating, overgiving
Feeling like their needs are too much
Navigating burnout, neurodivergent masking, internalized ableism
Managing and relating to their chronic symptoms or illness
Self acceptance and self-confidence
Living into their values
Building a loving, respectful relationship with their bodies and sexuality
Processing and coming into their identity around neurodivergence, queerness, transness, kink
Navigating a non-monogamous or polyamorous relationship structure

My Approach

Heart Centered

Life is stressful for everyone these days and disconnection from ourselves and others can lead to increased emotional distress and trauma. I believe connection is central to healing and I approach the work with an open mind and heart. As a therapist my approach is warm, open and friendly.

Real

I believe that a trusting, safe relationship is essential to all therapeutic work. I will offer tools including; acceptance, compassion, inner child healing and body based somatic exercises to help you become “unstuck” in old patterns and move towards a rich and meaningful life. Together we will work to gain awareness of unhelpful patterns, towards achieving clarity and building greater connection to those around you.

Compassionate

I often use mindfulness to build self-awareness, work towards accountability with yourself and others, and move forward in a more compassionate, embodied way. I will support you with navigating your nervous system’s reactions to promote wellness, bring loving compassion to the wounded places, live your values and achieve your highest self.

Empowering

You are not alone, I will act as a witness, sounding board and mirror to attune to your particular struggles and unique gifts as we collaborate on how to move forward navigating this journey called life. Together, we will move towards confidence, empowerment, and healthy successful relationships.