Therapists for college students near University Hills, Denver, CO

Hi! I’m Marissa, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in school counseling. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling, and I focus on learning ways in which people are best able to process traumas, build self-compassion, and practice coping skills for individuals to strengthen their abilities to handle everyday life, and its curveballs. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, stress, trauma, overthinking, and relationship challenges. My approach is grounded, genuine, and centered around creating a space that actually feels human. I want clients to feel like they can come in exactly as they are — messy thoughts, uncertainty, humor, emotions and all — without feeling judged or pressured to “have it together.” I care deeply about building real, trusting connections and meeting people where they’re at, while helping them grow, heal, and feel more confident and at peace in their lives. Together we’ll explore your current challenges, goals, strengths, and what kind of support may feel most helpful for you. There is no pressure to have everything figured out or share everything right away. My goal is for you to leave feeling comfortable, understood, and hopeful about the process moving forward.

Do you feel more anxious or worried lately? Perhaps a bit out of balance or burnt out? Has life thrown you a curve ball? Are you burdened with care of others – putting their needs ahead of yours. Maybe life feels especially heavy or unsettling right now, and it’s getting hard to hold it all together. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can live a more balanced and fulfilling life. I specialize in trauma, secondary trauma, stress & anxiety, major life transitions, and grief & loss. When life feels overwhelming and tasks feel insurmountable, I can help you find your way. I believe that many factors influence who we are and how we engage with the world. My integrative, holistic and collaborative approach to therapy will provide you the tools to care for yourself, care for others, and live a meaningful life. Together we will explore the impact and meaning of your past, notice and be present in the moment, and carve your desired path forward. I believe everyone deserves to be heard, seen and believed, and I am here to hold space for your unique story. I will provide hope, perspective and practical tools to support you on your healing journey. Let's work together to nurture your well-being and empower you on your chosen path. Call or email to schedule your free consultation.

I have been a licensed psychologist for the last 27 years. I work from Psychodynamic (self-psychology/intersubjective/relational), Cognitive-Behavioral, and Systems perspectives, all of which I consider integral to effective work with clients. I also am certified in Therapeutic Assessment, which is using psychological testing to help clients get unstuck and to achieve the insights they seek (therapeuticassessment.com). In addition to my private practice, I was Clinical Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver for the past 25 years. I retired from the university at the end of 2023 with the Emeritus distinction.

I view therapy as sacred work in which the therapeutic relationship is one of mutual respect and collaboration. I hold a BA in Anthropology from the University of Washington (1997) and a Master’s degree (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University (2010) and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado. In 2014 I completed a three year advanced training in Somatic Experiencing (SE), a body-centered approach to treating trauma and other stress disorders. I am inspired by Western psychological models and Eastern contemplative techniques, and my practice is enhanced by many years of experience as a yoga and meditation teacher, and as a seeker of various healing modalities. A life-long path of self-exploration and global adventure has been my classroom and has led me to ashrams, Native American sweat lodges, monasteries, and innumerable seminars, workshops, and retreats. I believe in finding inner growth and meaning in all life experiences, especially adversity. My therapeutic style is integrative and holistic, creatively employing Somatic, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral techniques with the intention of restoring balance to body, mind and spirit and inner harmony with all of your Parts. I bring deep empathy, insight, warmth, and liberal doses of humor to my clients, specializing in support for those challenged by trauma and anxiety. I am a trauma survivor, and I am particularly dedicated to the healing of childhood sexual abuse. My passion lies in helping you reconnect with your light. Whatever is standing in your way, whether it is shame, trauma, anxiety, low self-worth, we will unearth it. Together, we will heal it. Working as a team, we will be alchemists, transforming pain into personal power and self-love. You deserve to love all parts of yourself. You deserve to feel whole.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Conscious mental health is holistic in nature, considering body, mind, and spirit as cornerstones to healing and wellness. As such, we provide quality, compassionate, and evidence-based counseling services that are individualized to meet each client’s needs. Nonjudgmental, empathic, and conscious counseling services are essential. We are dedicated to creating an environment where we listen to our clients carefully and without preconceptions, so clients feel heard and validated. We believe in the betterment of mental health services for today and well into the future. We invest in offering conscious and relevant solutions for tweens, teens, parents, adults throughout the lifespan, and their families. We also offer DBT Skills Groups that are changing lives. Some specialties include trauma-informed EMDR-, DBT-, IFS- therapies and more. We believe in offering a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for ALL clients and worldviews. We seek to foster a diverse community of safety, inclusiveness, and respect. And passionately strive to provide, and promote in the world at large, that ALL persons should be able to obtain quality, compassionate, conscious, and evidence-based care. LBGTQIA+ allied! Our Core Values Wellbeing Conscious mental health is holistic in nature, considering body, mind, and spirit as cornerstones to healing and wellness. As such, we provide quality, compassionate, and evidence-based counseling services that are individualized to meet each client’s needs. Compassion Nonjudgmental, empathic, and conscious counseling services are essential. We are dedicated to creating an environment where we listen to our clients carefully and without preconceptions, so clients feel heard and validated. Equality We believe in offering a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for ALL clients and worldviews. We seek to foster a diverse community of safety, inclusiveness, and respect. And passionately strive to provide, and promote in the world at large, that ALL persons’ should be able to obtain quality, compassionate, conscious, and evidence-based care. Investment We believe in the betterment of mental health services for today and well into the future. We invest in offering conscious and relevant solutions for our world’s youth. Staying abreast in the needs of an evolving world and supporting our upcoming generation by providing deep healing opportunities to enhance their success in meaningful ways.