Hi I’m Marissa,

I provide therapy for adolescents and adults ages 10 years and older. I am a Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying, with a background as an educational assistant for young, neurodivergent people. If you’re looking for support for yourself or your child, I might be able to help.

People come to me for a variety of different challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma, dealing with stress at work or at school, or during a big life change (like graduation, moving, or the start of a new job). I also have experience working with people who are neurodivergent and just need to talk to someone about their mental health and the struggles they are experiencing.

“There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn’t” -John Green

I love this quote, because it can be so hard to challenge your thoughts when you’re stuck in a rut! Counselling is great for people at many different stages of life, and it’s not just for emergencies or crisis situations, in fact, having therapy during calmer times can help you to deal with stressful moments better. Feeling kind of “blah” or in a state of languishing is actually a good moment to reach out for therapy. It can increase momentum in your life, or help you to look at things from a new perspective, to help you tap into curiosity and even joy again!

I Have a Special Place In My Heart For Kids Who Struggle At School

Part of why I became a therapist is because of my own personal journey. I grew up in a military family and we moved quite frequently. I also had health issues as a young person which sometimes would be apparent at school, and it made me feel quite different than my peers. I dealt with bullying, and that, of course, was a big source of stress, and one that took time to heal from.

With the help of a great therapist, I was able to overcome the lingering fears and insecurities that those school interactions caused. As someone with lived experience in this area, it’s very rewarding to support people who are facing stress or bullying at school, or in the workplace, and to offer hope for better days to come.

Before I became a Psychotherapist, I worked in the educational system as an Educational Assistant, supporting kids with ADHD, Autism and those who struggled with behavioural challenges. It was during this time that I saw how much of a need there was for therapists. After some thought, I decided to go back to school and pursue my Masters in Counselling Psychology. These days, I love using my experience and education to provide mental health support.

You Don’t Have To Wait For a Crisis To Seek Counselling

Although seeing a therapist when you’re having a crisis is a good idea, therapy isn’t just for high stakes emergency situations. We can connect and talk for more everyday situations, like helping you consider your next steps in life, working on wisdom development, improving communication, and personal growth. 

My Approach To Therapy Is About Compassion and Collaboration

When we work together, my focus is to first get to know and understand your world. I will listen to your story, and check in with you to make sure I’m really getting to know you and your life clearly. After that, we’ll work together to see what we can do to make your day to day life easier! I am trained in many different mental health modalities including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy). All of these different supports provide ways to help you to manage big feelings, or communicate more effectively with those around you.

Ready To Take The Next Step?

If you’re ready to move forward on your therapy journey, and would like to book a consultation please reach out. You can either fill the contact form below, or choose the “book now” button on the upper right side of the screen. I look forward to hearing from you.