About Marissa
Marissa Alvarez is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan. They help people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, or ADHD. Marissa works with many LGBTQ clients and people with chronic illness and disability who want practical support for day-to-day challenges.
Marissa uses straightforward conversation and practical skill building in sessions. They focus on how past experiences show up now and on small, achievable changes.
Background and approach
Sessions are collaborative and paced to each person’s needs. They draw on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address things like panic, intrusive thoughts, relationship patterns, and shame. Marissa pays attention to identity and how systems of power affect mental health.
That perspective helps when coping strategies need to fit a person's life and values. Marissa has five years of clinical experience as an LMSW. They combine that background with a calm, curious approach to problems such as body image concerns, fertility stress, codependency, and communication problems.
Sessions aim to make worries feel more manageable. People can expect clear goals and hands-on tools for stress management, emotional regulation, and improved communication. Marissa supports exploration of attachment patterns, trauma responses, and issues related to gender and sexuality.
The emphasis is on practical steps toward feeling steadier and more in control.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Many people benefit from evidence-based approaches that focus on present-day symptoms and inner parts. Trauma-focused techniques help people notice how past hurts affect current reactions and teach tools to reduce distress and intrusive memories. Approaches that look at internal parts of the self support learning how different feelings and impulses relate to each other and how to respond with more choice rather than reactivity.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. Clients and the therapist check in regularly to adjust focus and try different techniques when needed.
Online therapy with Marissa uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is often used for deeper conversations and skills practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging are useful for quick check-ins, brief coaching, or when a shorter touchpoint fits a busy day. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or health schedules and offer flexible ways to stay connected between sessions.
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What this therapist works with
Most often
Also listed
- ADHD
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Body image
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Eating and food-related issues
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Immigration issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Life purpose
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
- Experience
- 5 years
- Licensed
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
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