- Stress and anxiety
- LGBT concerns
- Trauma-informed care
About Marissa
Marissa Alvarez is an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) practising in Michigan with five years of clinical experience. They focus on stress, anxiety, LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and ADHD. Marissa works with adults navigating early adulthood challenges and identity-related concerns.
They use approaches that address how past experiences affect daily life. Sessions often look at patterns in relationships, attachment, and communication. Marissa pays attention to how chronic illness, disability, and gender identity shape stress and coping.
Marissa draws on models that examine different parts of the self and target trauma-related symptoms in a structured way. That can involve identifying protective parts, learning self-soothing skills, and practicing new ways of relating to others. Therapy can include talking through memories, testing new behaviors, and building concrete coping tools.
They also bring an intersectional lens that considers race, gender, and other identities. This helps make sense of how external pressures and bias affect mental health. The work aims to reduce shame and improve how people manage relationships and boundaries.
Practical goals are common in sessions. Marissa helps people set small, doable steps toward managing anxiety, improving communication, or addressing intimacy concerns. People who are juggling school, early career stress, relationship changes, or questions about identity may find the approach relevant.
Therapeutic approaches and how they translate to online work
Internal Family Systems is an approach that helps map different parts of a person - protective parts, vulnerable parts, and an observing self. It can be useful for understanding internal conflicts, shame, and patterns that show up in relationships. Trauma-Focused CBT focuses on addressing trauma-related symptoms through structured interventions, processing difficult memories, and building coping skills to reduce distress.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to figure out which methods fit best for the person's goals, needs, and preferences. That means trying techniques, checking how they land, and adapting the plan together rather than committing to one path from the start.
Confirm current session options before booking because formats were not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins during a break, or avoid travel time. They also let people use a familiar setting to focus on difficult topics and practice new skills between meetings. Licensed professionals can adjust pacing, use screen-sharing for worksheets, or suggest brief exercises to practice between sessions depending on which formats are arranged.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What sorts of concerns does Marissa address?
They work with stress, anxiety, LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, and ADHD, plus related topics like attachment and body image.
What is their general style in sessions?
Sessions combine exploration of past experiences with practical skill-building such as coping strategies, communication practice, and steps to manage daily stress.
How much clinical experience do they have?
They have five years of clinical experience working with adults on a range of concerns including trauma and identity-related stress.
What credentials and location are listed?
They are listed as an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) practicing in Michigan.
Do they offer sessions in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with them?
They are not currently accepting international clients.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with them?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.