Premera Therapists in Gig Harbor, WA

Are you looking for someone that you connect with, provides compassion and support, and helps you process through your concerns? It can be hard to find the right therapist for you. My hope is that you would feel safe, understood and accepted in counseling. I work collaboratively with clients to help them manage concerns in their life. My therapeutic approach is client-centered, putting your needs first and providing you the tools you need to find healing.

Life is hard. Sometimes we have deep wounds that have been shoved down or covered up for years. It may be a significant traumatic event, adverse childhood experiences of abuse and neglect or painful moments in adulthood. These events shape the way we see ourselves, others and the world around us. Whatever the wounds, when you find they are impacting your life in the here and now it is necessary to clean the wounds in order to allow the body and brain to heal. As a Christian Counselor, I have spiritual and secular options for processing traumatic material both in the past and in the here-and-now.

It is my hope that clients gain from counseling specific tools they can apply to their lives to feel better equipped in dealing effectively with their life circumstances. I tailor my counseling to the needs of the client, using various therapeutic techniques to provide clients skills such as communication, emotion management, coping, parenting, etc. I incorporate an educational component, presenting information to enhance knowledge regarding various issues that clients face. I often include homework to make use of the time between sessions. When desired by the client, I approach their circumstances from a biblical perspective.

I'm very experienced working with minority communities including working with women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ clients. Minority groups and couples, particularly those at the intersections of gender, race, and sexual orientation, are often underrepresented in fields of work such as business, tech, and entrepreneurship. I believe therapy should be a safe and non-judgmental space that empowers individuals to be able to push their own limits and views of themselves, in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. Being able to embrace and be proud of oneself is one of the strongest things a person can learn to do.

If you’re frequently anxious or overwhelmed, if there are difficult events from your life continuing to invade your life in memories or nightmares, if you’re experiencing chronic pain, if you’re feeling depressed, irritable, stuck, or alone, I can help. You may have tried everything you can think of to start feeling better and nothing seems to fully address your struggles. I’m so glad you’re here. There is hope. If you don’t believe that yet, that’s ok, I am holding it for you until you can.

I believe compassion is the heart of good therapy and do my best to help you feel safe and understood. I am accepting new clients. I work with adult individuals, 21-101, who are wanting support to grow and change. My specialties include anxiety, depression, aging, major life transitions, grief (including eco-grief), dreamwork, and the search for meaning in life.

Do you find yourself reading the same articles to help with anxiety, depression and/or trauma and feeling like there is more that you would like to uncover? If you are looking for a more layered and meaningful approach to therapy, I may be able to help. I specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and ADHD and work hard to help you reexamine your situation in ways you might not have used before and find the tools to take control of your life. I also post weekly at Calm Body, Quiet Mind - an all things mental and bodily health newsletter found on Substack. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

I will work collaboratively with you in therapy so you can work through any challenges you may be facing and achieve your goals. Whether you are experiencing a new problem, or have been struggling with something for a while, together we will work to find your inner strengths, overcome past or present challenges, and improve the quality of your life. I am a warm and compassionate therapist who provides a safe, caring, and non-judgmental environment. My goal is for you to feel more hopeful and confident, and to live the life you desire.

My trauma-informed approach invites a space of safety, warmth, and authenticity where we navigate issues and process emotions together to enhance resiliency, trust, and self-worth. It is my hope that therapy and our therapeutic alliance will provide you with opportunity for healing, empowerment, and re-authoring of life stories for positive change and growth toward personal fulfillment. I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families seeking to process through various struggles and difficulties using evidence-based treatments.

If you are struggling with your mental health, I want you to know you are not alone and it can get better. Reaching out for help isn't always easy, but it will be worth it. Video therapy sessions with me are a safe, supportive and non-judgmental experience. My goal is to help you understand yourself and your situation and to provide you with practical tools to help you manage life in a healthier way.

The moment we start to think "who am I," "why am I like this," or "is this the true version of who I am" are moments I consider to be breakthroughs. Moments of self-reflection can be difficult to understand, difficult to seek answers, and just the thought seems bizarre or confusing. At times it may not even be self-reflection. Instead, it is the feeling of guilt, shame, worthlessness, or insecurities. It can also show up as anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, somatic symptoms, interpersonal challenges, or strain in quality of life. This is the result of exposure to or experiences of neglect and abuse during our lifetime.

Feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed? You work hard to be competent on the outside, maintaining control, holding your life together. Yet you know something is off on the inside. You want to be free. Free from the worry, anxiety and the patterns you keep finding yourself living over and over. You don't need to live your life this way any longer. Is this type of freedom even possible? Yes. Yes it is. You do not have to walk this path alone any longer. You have tried everything you can think of to help you sleep, help you cope, stop the flashbacks. Some of your strategies worked, but they are not enough.

Are you feeling lost and overwhelmed, trying your best to stay afloat but nothing seems to work? You might struggle to connect with others, wearing a mask to hide your struggles. You may fear failure, striving for perfection, and feeling haunted by past pain. Avoiding reminders of past hurt might lead you to withdraw from what you value most. You might feel the need to control everything, causing resentment and strained relationships. Anxiety about the future distracts you from what matters most. You might feel broken or in need of fixing, but you are not. Your trauma and past pain are preventing you from experiencing life's beauty.

Life is hard. Sometimes simply existing is hard. The amount of energy it takes to even appear like you are doing well can feel exhausting. To the world around you, you may look competent, successful and happy. Inwardly you are stressed most of the time, trying to keep it together and don’t know how to dig out of this hole. To the broken hearted, beat down, traumatized, marginalized, forgotten about or neglected people I am searching for you.

At one time or another, we all find ourselves stuck and struggling to move ahead. We have learned to cope and move through our lives using tools and coping mechanisms that have worked in some ways, but have not allowed us to feel grounded, comfortable, or fully happy with our lives as we progress through them. My job is to work collaboratively with you to create safety and trust through which we can help you develop skills and gain insights, allowing you to reclaim happiness and comfort in your life. I am most passionate about supporting people dealing with Anxiety, Grief, and Life Transition issues.

Life can be challenging and stressful. Therapy is a place where you safely address and process through your internal responses to life’s obstacles. If you feel out of touch with your authentic self, problems can seem insurmountable. I work with individuals to explore and develop insight around your own thought patterns and responses to life events. We work together to overcome those things that are stopping you from having a full life and bring you into alignment with your authentic self.

Marissa has a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of San Diego, California in 2017. During her graduate studies, Marissa received advanced courses in the following: trauma and risk assessment, human sexuality, psychopharmacology, addictions, evidence based theories, human development, law and ethics, clinical interviewing, multicultural counseling, and group counseling.

Seeking counseling can be one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. It is also one of the bravest decisions. Day to day life is stressful, and at times, life tosses us a curveball. My goal is to help you identify your strengths, and help you navigate through the stresses and transitions that many people struggle with. You are not alone, and I am so glad that you are here. Some of my areas of focus are on addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, family dynamics as well as parent coaching.

I believe change occurs in the context of connection, compassion, and self-discovery wherein your whole authentic self can be nurtured and fully understood. To support you in your healing and growth, I bring a warm and collaborative approach, valuing the relationship and working together towards a path of healing and change.