Therapists in Gig Harbor, WA

I believe that all of us have the ability to be great, but there are challenges that get in the way. My passion is to help you realize who you are and what you can accomplish despite those challenges. I want to motivate and help you to do the work you need to be a better person, spouse, partner, parent, or friend. I know that we all have things going on, my goal is to be there for you through it, good or bad. Building you up or being there through a tough time that's what therapy is for.

Accepting New Clients. I am dedicated to helping clients reach their therapy needs and goals, and I take a holistic and contextual approach to get clients to resolve their needs. I assess presenting issues in a holistic and contextual manner and maintain a strength-based practice. I use evidence-based modalities to help clients identify strengths and break down barriers. I work collaboratively with my clients in order to reach their desired potential for well-being and other mental health concerns. I tailored my therapeutic approach in order to best fit my client’s needs.

Have you recently experienced the death of a loved one, the end of a marriage or relationship, or a significant life transition that has you wondering how life will ever feel normal again? Grief shows up in many ways in life, and it looks different for everyone. But one thing is always true: grief changes us. Maybe you’re in survival mode: fighting just to stay above water in the day to day. Or perhaps you feel like you don’t recognize yourself: more angry, less motivated, or experiencing emotions that feel completely foreign. Your grief may be so overwhelming that you don’t even know what you feel.

At the core of my treatment philosophy is the belief that families heal when movement occurs and people begin to step out of their comfort zones to unlock their potential and capacity for growth. Often there is underlying pain and/or trauma that needs to be addressed in order for the system to recover and break the cycle. Whether the results of the family dysfunction is abuse, addiction, estrangement, divorce, suicide, broken communication paths, or some other behavior, treatment can provide relief.

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.

I am great at helping people work through stress, depression, conflict in relationships and in dealing with issues like addiction, identity, trauma, and anger management. I am an entrepreneur, craftsman, part time stay at home dad and outdoorsman. People feel comfortable working with me because I believe in the good in them and because my experience working outside of therapy helps me to understand a wide range of individuals and families.

We all make mistakes. We sometimes get caught in a pattern of mistakes that we can't break. I offer compassionate support, respect, warmth, and a safe place to talk about difficult private issues. I have a positive and hopeful view of life. I am interested in working with people who find themselves at a challenging point in their life and are looking for someone they trust to help them move forward. It is a great sign of strength to reach out to a helping professional, and I look forward to working in collaboration with you!

I enjoy working with a variety of adult clients. If you are ready to work to improve your mental health, I’m happy to support you. I especially enjoy working with people who are healing from traumatic experiences, whether that trauma is physical, psychological, or interpersonal. I believe we work better together if you understand the purpose of what we’re doing in therapy.

I am an AASECT certified sex therapist and an intimate relationship therapist. I believe that when we heal our intimate relationships, including the one we have with ourselves, we heal the collective and contribute to the greater good. I focus on addressing a variety of intimacy and sexual challenges faced by humans of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities, gender identities, and relationship structures. I work with individuals and those partnering within monogamous and ethically non-monogamous relationships. If you want to cultivate more pleasure and learn how to claim and honor your desires, please call me today.

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.

Are you looking for someone who can help you understand the unique challenges you are facing in your life? Do you want someone who truly listens to you? Artistic Affirmations Counseling offers a unique combination of looking at family relations and implementing creative modalities to help you reach self enlightenment. I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, families and the LGBTQ community. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's degree in Art Therapy. I combine many theoretical approaches to fit your needs to maximize your journey towards a greater insight into your own well-being.

I specialize in the treatment of adolescents but also treat children, young adults, and their families. I am experienced with a variety of struggles that children, adolescents and young adults encounter including Depression, Mood Disorders, ADHD, Trauma, Anxiety, Behavioral issues, Anger management, Parenting, Communication/Conflict resolution, Family relationship issues, Social skills, Self Esteem and Self harming behaviors. I have found that counseling is such a unique experience for each person. It can be the one place where you find the support, encouragement, insight and empowerment to make the changes needed to begin living the kind of life you truly desire.

Note: I am not taking new clients at this time. 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.

I am a partner in Summit Health Management, a group founded by an eclectic partnership of four established, experienced providers with the vision of offering a variety of therapeutic services to meet the needs of children, adolescents, adults, elders, couples, and families in our community. Our group’s mission is to provide the region with experienced, compassionate, professional, and proficient mental and behavioral health care. We offer a therapy and psychiatric care for all ages, presentations, relationships and disorders, including individual, couples, family and group therapy, as well as substance abuse recovery for all ages.

My style of therapy is warm, accepting, and compassionate. After having trained extensively and been witness to countless stories of transformation, I can say with certainty that healing is absolutely possible. This is an invitation to break free from painful experiences, beliefs, and thought patterns that keep you from living the life you want, and leave you feeling hopeless or weary. I am guided by the belief that what you need to heal is already within you. Together, we will discover your internal source of strength and wisdom.

Greetings. I love to help others. I have 22 years experience working as a seasoned, licensed mental health professional in Oregon and Idaho with a variety of clients and issues. I provide quality psychotherapy services. I use a holistic approach to assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning. Please know that you are always in the driver seat during your experience. Perhaps I can help you too!

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 may 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.

Life can be very confusing at times for all of us. I welcome you to take the time for yourself to gain perspective on life's struggles. There can be great benefits in the process! I treat depression/anxiety, trauma, ADHD, Eating Disorders, and marital issues. My office is warm and cozy as we journey together thru the healing process. I use a narrative, solution-focused, CBT modality, Lifespan Integration for clearing trauma, along with a bit of humor over life's bumps. You are welcome to join me for your heart, soul, and body health!

I believe that each person has a unique story and I stay curious as to what that is. I am Level 2 trained in EMDR and Level 2 trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy. I trust in the power of attunement to my clients; by creating a safe space for clients to be heard and able to express their stories, powerful changes can occur. I love being able to dig deeper into the layers of client's experiences and help them understand the patterns. I use empathy and curiosity to attune to what is being said and also what is not being said. I have a solution-focused lens and work towards relationship repair through compassion.