Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Atascadero, CA covered by Aetna

I grew up in a small town in Hawaii, then came to Southern California and began studying psychology in 2001. I completed my master’s degree at Fuller School of Psychology in 2010 and served children and families at a community mental health agency for 10 years, also starting a private practice in 2015. While I loved island life, I’ve put down roots here through friendships, involvement in my community, and my love of LA’s cultural diversity.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master's degree in Social Work. In my clinical journey, I’ve had the privilege of working with adults, youth, children, and families in a variety of settings—including hospitals, residential treatment centers, schools, private practice, and community-based services.

These diverse experiences have shaped my ability to meet clients where they are and support them through a wide range of challenges.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience providing mental health services in behavioral health, crisis intervention, community mental health, and medical settings. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflict, and other emotional challenges.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. I work alongside clients to build on their strengths, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

Throughout my career, I have provided therapy and clinical support in outpatient, community-based, hospital, college mental health, and correctional settings. In my private practice, I provide bilingual psychotherapy to individuals and families experiencing trauma, stress, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, and behavioral health issues. I also have extensive experience supporting foster, adoptive, and biological families caring for children impacted by trauma and attachment-related difficulties.

My professional background includes crisis stabilization, risk assessment, treatment planning, wraparound services, and multidisciplinary care coordination for youth and families with complex needs. I am also a part-time lecturer in the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, where I teach and mentor future social workers.

I am passionate about culturally responsive care, equity in mental health services, and helping clients feel empowered throughout their healing journey. I provide services in both English and Spanish and welcome clients from all backgrounds.

We can all feel overwhelmed by persistent sadness, anxiety, or racing thoughts. Major life shifts—like a career change, relationship end, parenting, or new phase of life—can be difficult to navigate. You do not have to figure it out alone.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping adults break free from painful emotional patterns and reclaim a sense of control. My practice specializes in treating mood disorders and guiding individuals through challenging life transitions.

I specialize in supporting women through major life transitions and personal shifts, as well as challenges related to boundaries, self-trust, self-worth, and emotional resilience. I also work with women who find themselves repeating unhelpful relational patterns or struggling with overwhelm, stress, and uncertainty. In my trauma work, I incorporate Brainspotting, a brain-body modality that helps process trauma, emotional stress, and experiences that may feel difficult to access through talk therapy alone. I also support clients navigating grief and loss in its many forms. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen your ability to cope, and move toward healing and meaningful change in a way that feels sustainable.

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My passion lies in working with clients who need assistance with personal empowerment and identity development. My goal is to instill hope by identifying areas of strength, resilience, and capacity for positive change. Effective therapy takes effort and commitment from both the therapist and the client.

I work primarily with young adults who are feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck — especially when it comes to anxiety and relationship challenges. Many of my clients are used to holding it all together on the outside, but internally feel lost or unsure of how to move forward.

I bring a calm, grounded presence to the work, even in high-stress situations. Much of my background is in working with clients in crisis, which allows me to help you navigate difficult emotions without things feeling out of control. At the same time, I’m warm, relatable, and honest — I’ll meet you where you are, while also gently challenging patterns that may be keeping you stuck when or if needed.

I am a warm, friendly and empathetic trauma therapist who has a passion for helping hurting people. I have a BA in Psychology, a MA in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Life Coaching, and a MA in Marriage & Family Therapy. I am a Licensed Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2. I utilize evidenced based modalities such as EMDR, Somatic and Restorative Yoga, Trauma Focused CBT and mindfulness to name a few.

I am a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, depression, grief, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and major life transitions. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Welcome! I’m Marissa Brooks, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with years of experience working in the mental health field. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of treatment settings, including crisis residential programs and outpatient mental health services. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Criminal Law and Behavior, as well as a Master’s degree in Social Work. I specialize in working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and stress management.