Meet Marissa
Founder of Art of the Heart Counseling Services
Licensed Professional Counselor &
Art Therapist
Hello!
Welcome to Art of the Heart
Counseling Services.
Art of the Heart Counseling Services is a small private psychotherapy practice offering evidence-based therapeutic approaches using talk therapy and/or art therapy to clients of all ages.
I am an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor and art therapist with a history of working with trauma, depression, anxiety, selective mutism, grief, family conflict, life transitions, parenting needs, ADHD, and children with autism or developmental delays. In addition to individual and family therapy, my work has also included developing and running art therapy groups for children, teens, and adults focusing on emotional regulation, mindfulness, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ support, and self-exploration.
Following the completion of my Master's Degree in Art Therapy and counseling at Albertus Magnus College, I worked at mental health and child guidance clinics, most recently with Yale University at the Yale Child Study Center, as a clinician and art therapist. During this time, I continued to engage in additional training to acquire certification for a number of evidence-based treatments. This collected knowledge, experience, and passion for lifelong learning has given me the skills to offer the most appropriate therapeutic method to meet your unique treatment needs.
More questions? Please read below.
My (unofficial) co-therapist sometimes joins us during telehealth appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions:
More FAQs:
What treatment needs do I work with?
I specialize and have extensive experience in
working with the following:
Mood Disorders and Depression
Anger Management
Anxiety Disorders
Social Skills Development
Selective Mutism
OCD and Tic Disorders
ADHD and ODD
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Trauma and PTSD
Gender Identity and LGBTQ+
Family Relationships
Attachment/Parent-Child Relationships
Disruptive Behaviors
School Avoidance
Executive Functioning Concerns
Developing Behavioral Plans
Help with Parenting
Grief Processing
What evidence-based treatment methods have I received specialized training or certifications in?
RUBI Autism Network: Parent Training for Disruptive Behaviors
Nationwide Children's Hospital
The Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) focuses on parent training for reducing disruptive behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sessions involve skill-building and guided development of a comprehensive Behavior Support Plan that provides a comprehensive description of child-specific needs and interventions.
Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)
Yale School of Medicine, Yale Child Study Center
The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention is a brief (5-8 sessions), evidenced-based early trauma intervention that focuses on reducing traumatic stress symptoms that occur within 30-45 days following a traumatic event or disclosure of physical or sexual abuse. The goal is to reduce traumatic stress and onset of PTSD by increasing communication and family support.
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
Yale School of Medicine, Yale Child Study Center
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions is a parent-based treatment program for children and teens with Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Parents learn skills to respond supportively to the anxious child while reducing the accommodations they have been making to manage the child's symptoms, and increasing the child's independence and competency to engage in activities.
Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC)
The Child Development and Health Institute
The Attachment, Regulation, and Competency framework is an intervention developed for children, teens, and caregiver/parents who have experienced complex trauma. This trauma treatment focuses on strengths-based work for the caregiver/parent, teaching children how to manage their emotions, and increasing resilience in children through empowerment and self-exploration.
Parent Management Training (PMT)
Yale School of Medicine, Yale Child Study Center
Parent Management Training is a 14-week parent-based intervention designed to improve oppositional defiant behaviors in children and teens using behavior management practices. PMT is one of the most well-established treatment for disruptive behaviors.
Anger Management Treatment Professional
International Trauma Training Institute
Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Counselor
The Center for Family Justice
Not sure which treatment is right for you? Please feel free to contact me directly here, or click here to learn about other talk therapy or art therapy options for individuals or groups.
What's my therapy style?
My counseling style is warm and comforting, yet rational and informative. In this space, you will always be respected for who you are - no matter what.
It is my belief that understanding the WHY of our thoughts, feelings, and actions is the first step to resolution and healing.
We will work together to figure out how to best resolve any challenges. You are the driver of your treatment. My role is to help you gain understanding of yourself, help you get unstuck when you feel stuck, and give you direction and support when you need it.
Those that work with me find that I am open, empathetic, and flexible. Our sessions are designed to meet your unique needs at the moment - whether that involves serious dialogue, exploration, problem solving, comforting, play and fun, creative expression, or sitting in silence together.
You matter.
I am a firm believer in hope that things can get better, as long as we learn to accept the things we can not change and work on improving the things that we can.
