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Genuine connection is the heart of the counseling relationship.

MY APPROACH

Relational

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Collaborative

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Compassionate

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GET TO KNOW ME

Hi, I’m Marisa, and I’m so glad you’re here!

I work primarily with adolescent girls and women who are navigating difficult experiences, life transitions, or challenges in their relationships. I’m interested in understanding the experiences and patterns that shape how clients see themselves, navigate relationships, and respond to difficult situations, and helping them find a way forward that feels meaningful to them.

My approach is relational and trauma-informed, with EMDR as a central part of my work. I also draw on attachment-based perspectives, IFS-informed parts work, and creative approaches when they fit a client’s needs. I believe therapy works best when clients feel understood, have a voice in the process, and can explore difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable.

The Heart Behind My Work

  • My path to counseling grew out of both my professional experiences and my own life. After 27 years in education, including work as an instructional coach, I spent much of my career supporting children, adolescents, and families. I worked extensively with students with diverse learning needs, including dyslexia, and saw how learning challenges often affect confidence, relationships, and emotional well-being. I also witnessed the many social and emotional struggles families navigate, often extending far beyond what could be addressed in a classroom. I wanted to support people in a different way, creating space to explore the deeper experiences and emotions beneath those struggles.

    My own journey through counseling and healing deepened my understanding of the courage it takes to seek support and the difference it makes to feel genuinely understood. Through these experiences, I've come to deeply value the importance of genuine connection, understanding, and compassion in the counseling relationship. I believe people deserve to be seen beyond their struggles and supported as they find their own paths toward healing and growth. 

  • You may feel pulled in different directions, caught between the part of you that wants change and the part that feels too stuck or tired to try. Maybe you carry painful beliefs about yourself, feeling like you should “try harder,” “just stop it,” or already have everything figured out. Shame might whisper that others have it worse or that your struggles don’t matter. You are human, you are not alone, and the parts of you that feel stuck or overwhelmed deserve care.

    In our work together, you'll find a warm and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and patterns without judgment. I bring genuine presence, curiosity, and a bit of humor into our work, helping you look beneath the surface and better understand yourself. Together, we'll focus on what matters most to you, exploring new possibilities for growth and meaningful change. My hope is to help you feel safe, confident, and connected to yourself and the people you care about.

  • My approach to counseling is integrative, collaborative, and individualized. I draw from different therapeutic methods, keeping each person's unique experiences, needs, and goals at the heart of our work together.

    Guiding Principles

    • Trauma-Informed

    • Attachment-Based

    • Relational

    • Strengths-Based

    Therapeutic Modalities

    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

    • IFS-Informed Parts Work

    • Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (CBT)

    • Expressive Arts

    • Sand Tray

    • Behavioral Activation

    Additional Trainings

    • EMDR Trained Therapist through EMDRIA

    • The Integrated EMDR & IFS Model

    • IFS Foundations Masterclass

    • IFS Parts Mapping and Externalization Workshop

    • Integrating EMDR & IFS to Identify and Reprocess Attachment-Based Experiences

    • Additional Training in Expressive Arts and Sand Tray Therapy

Get Started
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The Lighter Side

WHERE I’M FROM

I’m a Colorado native who adventurously moved to the great state of Texas in 2022.

MY FAMILY

My husband Byron, and I have been married for twenty-eight years and have four young adult children, and two grandsons.

WHAT I ENJOY

Spending time with family and friends, savoring a leisurely cup of coffee, reading, watching a beautiful Texas sunset, and taking long walks with my dog, Mae.

FAITH

I’m actively involved in my Catholic church community, where I serve as a mental health advocate, supporting connection, awareness, and faith-based care.

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REACH OUT ANYTIME

Let’s Take the Next Step Together.

CONNECT WITH MARISA