How Marissa works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- New York
- Years in practice
- 7
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Marissa
Marissa O'Connor is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, grief, and major life changes. She also supports those facing trauma, depression, parenting strain, sleeping and eating challenges, and issues tied to ADHD. Her tone is warm and direct, aimed at people who need clear tools and steady support.
She focuses on practical steps in therapy. Sessions often look at thoughts and behaviors, coping skills for strong emotions, and ways to reduce overwhelm.
Background and approach
Marissa uses strategies that meet people where they are and build skills to manage everyday challenges. Her style centers on listening first. She follows a client-centered approach that respects each person’s goals and pace.
From there she draws on cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior methods to teach skills for emotion regulation, problem solving, and changing unhelpful patterns. Marissa brings seven years of clinical experience in New York to her work. She aims to create a steady, nonjudgmental space where clients can try new responses and practice small changes that add up over time.
People who meet with her can expect tailored sessions that balance practical skill building with personal reflection. The focus is on usable strategies for handling anger, panic, relationship stress, caregiver strain, and life transitions. Progress is shaped around the client’s priorities and real-life needs.
What Marissa works with
Everything Marissa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Marissa's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Life purpose
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Marissa lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person rather than a protocol. In practice this means the therapist listens closely, reflects what matters most to the client, and adapts the pace and topics to fit each person’s goals. It helps when someone needs a steady, empathetic guide through hard moments.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts affect feelings and actions. Sessions teach concrete skills to spot unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. This approach is useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and many everyday stressors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotion regulation and distress tolerance. It offers practical tools for managing intense anger, impulsivity, and relationship conflict. Those skills can reduce reactive behaviors and improve communication.
Finding the right mix of approaches is a shared process. The therapist will ask about your goals, try strategies, and adjust methods over time. Together you decide which tools feel most helpful and which need more practice.
Online therapy makes these approaches flexible. Video calls allow face-to-face teaching of skills and in-session practice. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or a camera isn’t wanted. Live chat or text-based messaging can be used for brief check-ins, coaching between sessions, or step-by-step problem solving. These options let clients fit therapy into work breaks, caregiving schedules, or times when shorter contact is best.
Questions people ask about Marissa
What concerns does Marissa commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, trauma and related issues like sleep, eating, and caregiver strain.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is client-centered and practical, focusing on listening, building coping skills, and teaching tools to manage emotions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of professional experience providing therapy in New York.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds an LCSW credential and practices in New York.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for remote work.
How do costs and billing work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.