- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Music and expressive arts
About Marissa
Marissa Katz Bellani is an MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with eight years of experience. She works with adults in Hawaii and accepts international clients. Her practice focuses on stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, depression, addictions, LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy and self-esteem issues, and coping with life changes.
Marissa uses a mix of practical talking therapies and creative work. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered approaches, existential ideas, and the Gottman Method for relationship work. Sessions can include music or expressive arts alongside conversation when that fits the client's needs.
In sessions she helps people notice unhelpful patterns and try small, doable changes. She also helps with communication skills, handling family and relationship problems, and navigating big life transitions like loss, illness, or changes in identity. The tone of therapy is interactive and conversational, with space for creative expression when wanted.
Her background includes graduate work with a focus on music therapy and expressive arts therapies. That training informs how she uses music and creativity in counseling, not as a replacement for evidence-based talk methods. Marissa aims to work collaboratively to find practical steps clients can test between sessions.
Clients who are juggling early adult pressures - leaving home, work or school stress, identity questions, or relationship issues - may find her approach relevant. Sessions are offered in English and the practice operates from Hawaii.
How Marissa blends therapy approaches for online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then taking actions that align with personal values. It can help with anxiety, avoidance, and feeling stuck during life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and tests small changes to reduce distress. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management.
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the client's own goals and perspective. The therapist listens, reflects, and supports the client's pace and choices, which can be helpful when sorting out identity, relationships, or confidence issues.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Marissa will help you figure out which methods fit your goals and preferences. She treats that choice as a collaboration and will adjust methods as the work evolves.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking since the profile does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten commute time, and let people meet from different locations. They can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited or let someone choose audio-only if they prefer not to be on camera.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts, Hawaii
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, trauma, LGBT concerns, and coping with life changes among other topics.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is interactive and conversational with options to include music and expressive arts alongside talk therapy.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has eight years of experience working as a mental health professional, including graduate training that focused on music therapy and expressive arts.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds an MA and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Hawaii.
Can I work with her if I live outside the US?
She accepts international clients and offers sessions in English.
Which session formats does she offer?
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the profile.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a 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.