Hello! I’m Marisa. I intertwine social justice and mental health to help my clients find relief and live their truths.

My identities

I am a white, genderqueer and queer, Autistic, leftist, polyamorous fat person born and raised in the Inland Empire in Southern California. I am unafraid to call out my white privilege in the therapy room and welcome conversations about what it is like as a person of color to have a white therapist.

You should have no doubt about your therapist’s politics and values

I am a leftist, unaligned with either of the major political parties in the US. If you ever have any questions about where I stand, I welcome these conversations. It is my ethical duty to advocate for the rights and freedoms of my clients and of others. Just some of the issues that I align with:

• Free Palestine

• Black Lives Matter

• Trans Rights are Human Rights

• Land Back

• Bodily Autonomy

• Abortion Rights

• Healthcare is a Human Right

My approach

I use a trauma-informed narrative approach in therapy, meaning we collaborate to create your own narrative for your life, rather than the one that society has created for you. I also integrate parts work and somatic exercises. Social justice and pointing out the impact of oppressive systems is present throughout all of my work.

My education

University of California, Irvine - BA in Psychology and Social Behavior; Criminology, Law and Society (2011)

Alliant International University - MA in Marriage and Family Therapy (2024)

Registered Associate with California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Associate number: 147243

An associate is a clinician who is working on their hours towards licensure under the supervision of a clinical supervisor. My supervisor signs my notes and consults with me on my cases.