Mental Health Counseling: Get To Know Me

Hi, I'm Marissa owner and clinician at Real Wellness Counseling. I started my career as a middle school counselor for over a decade after graduating from Rutgers University. After obtaining my license as an LPC, I began working with adults in the evenings for several years. I have now fully transitioned to private therapy practice where I hope to continue to help people through challenging and uncertain times they may be facing.

A reason that I went into this field is that I have found too often that we are struggling alone, holding our breath and just trying to survive each day. As your therapist, I will work with you to move past that feeling of just surviving. My overall goal for my clients is to help you feel resilient enough to get through tough times, empowered enough to trust your journey and decisions, and ultimately to reach a place where you feel like you aren't just waiting for the other shoe to drop. If that seems far-reaching, I am here to listen and provide resilience support as we navigate this journey together.

I like to dive in and help navigate all life transitions, whether that be the ending of a relationship, starting college or a new career, retirement, or becoming a new parent, to name a few. You may be unsure of what the next step is, and that can bring a variety of emotions to the surface: fear, doubts, excitement, stress, guilt, and everything in between. I want to help you through all of that. Knowing when to take that first step and when is the right time for therapy is different for everyone; only you know when you are ready.

I understand that the idea of talking to a complete stranger may seem uncomfortable at first, and that is a natural feeling you may have. I believe that through open and honest communications, we can build trust, allowing you to navigate life transitions in a safe and comfortable environment. Together, we will celebrate your successes and work through challenges with resilience support. 

The reasons people consider private therapy vary for each individual, and I am mindful of where each client is on their journey. During our first few sessions, we will get to know each other as therapist and client, and continue to assess if it is an appropriate therapeutic fit. I typically suggest weekly sessions for the first 3-4 meetings (if that works for you) to help build rapport and establish a rhythm; then we can discuss what is appropriate for your needs in terms of follow-up sessions. 

In our time together, I will assess what is needed from me as your therapist, utilizing a client-centered approach to foster open discussions focused on you. We will identify your strengths and highlight those to help create achievable goals and coping skills. A shared goal I have for my clients is that these tools will not only assist you in the present but also be accessible in the future to cope with any stressors that may arise.