Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Puyallup, WA

Hi! My name is Marisa, I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Substance Use Disorder Professional in the State of Washington. I started working as a Substance Abuse Counselor in 2010 with Adolescents and discovered that mental health often intersected. I decided to attend graduate school at the University of Denver for my Master's in Social Work with a concentration in Family Systems.

I’m a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with clients across the lifespan. I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Arizona and have experience caring for individuals in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and higher-acuity mental health settings. My background includes treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, OCD, mood disorders, and substance use. I take a thoughtful, practical, and individualized approach to care, with the goal of helping clients feel understood, safe, supported, and comfortable being honest when feeling emotionally vulnerable.

I’ve been working in the mental health field since earning my Masters of Science in Social Work degree with a specialization in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from the University of Louisville in 2011. Over the years, I’ve worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, supporting adults through challenges with mental health and substance use. Those experiences have given me the privilege of walking alongside people in some of the hardest and most transformative moments of their lives.

I currently accept individual adult clients only through Headway. I do not provide couples or family therapy through this platform at this time.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with individuals, couples, and LGBTQ+ clients seeking deeper self-understanding, emotional healing, and more connected relationships. My approach is warm, relational, trauma-informed, and grounded in the belief that healing happens through safety, honesty, and meaningful connection.

I specialize in relationship therapy, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, attachment wounds, complex trauma, and psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. I also support clients navigating life transitions, grief, shame, self-worth, communication challenges, and patterns that keep them feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves and others.

My work draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems, somatic awareness, humanistic and existential therapy, and trauma-informed care. I help clients slow down, listen inward, understand their patterns, and develop more compassionate and empowered ways of relating.

As a queer-affirming therapist, I am especially passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ clients and relationships. I strive to create a space where clients can bring their full selves—without judgment—and explore healing in a way that honors their identities, histories, relationships, spirituality, and lived experience.

Taking the first step toward better mental health isn't always easy, but you don't have to do it alone. Whether you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, or stuck, I'm here to provide a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard and understood.

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), I work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your unique needs and goals.