Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Medford, NY covered by Cigna

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf" is a Jon Kabat-Zinn quote relevant to these challenging times. I'm a seasoned mental health counselor with experience in supporting individuals to find creative solutions for anxiety and depression, as well as relationship issues and family dynamics. I will provide a safe environment to help facilitate positive changes in your life. I have a specialization in life transitions, and working with people pleasers and stuck creatives.

You deserve a down to earth, compassionate, counselor and therapist. You deserved to be listened to with no judgement and pre-conceived notions. You deserve flexible hours, and availability to speak in total privacy. You were made to breathe and not gasp for air!! Its ok to take a day off from work and not feel guilty!

I work hard to ensure that my client feels safe as they embark on their therapeutic journey. In order to best facilitate healing, I firmly believe in providing a comfortable and supportive space for my clients. My goal is to come alongside the client and provide different perspectives that may not have been considered before and provide encouragement in the everyday victories.

I'm so happy you're here and have chosen to take that first step that is often the most difficult. My primary focus is to meet you where you are on your journey and sit with you as we explore your story and sort through the experiences that brought you here. I will support you as we process the stuff keeping you feeling stuck.

Hi there, I'm Marissa!

I support you in navigating your life and relationships. Do you often feel disconnected or unheard by your spouse? There is a way to feel connected and heard. Together, you can gain new perspectives and learn tools to heal from problems in your relationship. I provide a safe and supportive environment where you can be yourself.

My focus

I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating relationship disconnection, infidelity, grief, trauma, self-esteem, and personal growth. You are not broken. You are healing beautifully. Your next level of growth starts here.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience supporting individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families. I hold a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, a master’s degree in School Counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in Social Science. My professional background includes providing therapy in private practice, school, home, and community-based settings.

I specialize in relationship concerns, family conflict, anxiety, emotional regulation, parenting challenges, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem, and communication difficulties. I also work with couples who want to strengthen their emotional connection, rebuild trust, improve intimacy, and develop healthier ways of managing conflict.

My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each client’s needs. I incorporate evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, family systems interventions, and Gottman-informed techniques. I strive to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful and lasting change.

Thirty years ago I walked into a psychiatric unit as a nurse — long before I became a therapist — and learned something no textbook teaches: people carry the weight of addiction, trauma, and grief alongside jobs, families, and survival. That weight doesn't announce itself politely. Today, I bring that clinical depth to therapy with adults and older adults who are ready to stop white-knuckling through and actually get somewhere. Whether you're managing a decades-long wound, fighting to stay sober, or facing a depression that just won't lift, I have likely sat with someone who felt exactly where you are.