Smiling woman with light brown hair wearing a white sweater in a sunny green park setting.
Smiling woman with light brown hair wearing a white sweater in a sunny green park setting.

Marissa is accepting new clients!

Schedule: Thursdays from 9am-5pm

Insurance: Marissa accepts Aetna, United, Anthem/BCBS, Meritain, ConnectiCare, Oscar, Oxford, UMR, and Cigna insurance plans.

Schedule a free 15 minute introductory phone call or your first therapy session now!

Marissa Engel, LMFT

Offering counseling for teens, women, and couples who are struggling with anxiety, depression, self esteem, pregnancy/postpartum, communication difficulties & more.

I get how heavy things can feel sometimes.

Maybe you're a teenager trying to figure out who you are while everyone else seems to have it already figured out. Or you're an adult dealing with anxiety or old wounds that just won't let go. Or you're in a relationship where you and your partner feel like you're living on different planets. Whatever it is, it's exhausting to go through it alone. It can feel like you're stuck on repeat—the same overwhelming emotions, the same worries, the same hurt showing up over and over.

I've sat with so many teenagers who feel like nobody gets them, adults who are completely burnt out from taking care of everyone but themselves, and couples who can't even remember what it felt like to be on the same team.

You shouldn't have to do this by yourself.

I work with teens and young adults dealing with anxiety, depression, identity questions, and all the pressure that comes with this time in their lives. With adults, I focus on anxiety, depression, fertility challenges, pregnancy and postpartum struggles, and big life changes. For couples, I help you find your way back to each other, work through conflicts, and learn how to actually hear each other again.

No matter what you're going through, I'm committed to making this a space where you feel safe and accepted—where you can say what you really need to say without worrying about being judged.

If you're struggling with intense emotions, relationship issues, communication problems, or major life transitions, I can help you build the tools you need to handle it all and move forward with confidence.

With someone to walk alongside you, you can reconnect with your resilience and navigate whatever comes your way feeling more grounded and confident.

Who I Help

My personal and professional experience has enabled me to specialize in serving clients with a wide variety of needs.

Diverse group of smiling friends enjoying a pizza picnic outdoors in a sunny autumn park.
Diverse group of smiling friends enjoying a pizza picnic outdoors in a sunny autumn park.
A smiling woman in a patterned blouse and jeans sits comfortably on a white sofa.
A smiling woman in a patterned blouse and jeans sits comfortably on a white sofa.
Teens & Young Adults Navigating Life's Challenges

Life is full of changes, and sometimes we need a little extra support to navigate them. I can help with:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression and grief

  • ADHD

  • Major life changes (graduation, divorce, moving, career changes)

  • Relational struggles

  • Family conflict

  • Work/academic related stressors

Therapy for Women

Women and mothers face unique challenges and deserve a specialized approach. I support women who are struggling with:

  • PMDD or Menopause

  • Pregnancy & Post-partum related stressors

  • Infertility and miscarriages

  • Recovery from distressing or traumatic experiences

  • Loss of identity following major life changes (divorce, motherhood, leaving or re-entering the workforce)

  • Grief

  • Peer and romantic relationships

selective focus photography of couple hugging
selective focus photography of couple hugging
Couples Counseling

Whether you're engaged, married, or considering separation, therapy can provide a safe space to process:

  • Communication struggles

  • Conflict

  • Family and cultural dynamics

  • Struggles related to parenthood (infertility, post partum, miscarriages, etc)

  • Challenges related to in-laws

  • Different views related to gender roles, division of labor, intimacy, & parenting styles

  • Rebuilding trust

  • Understanding how past experiences in childhood and early adulthood impact your current relationship

My Specialties & Proven Techniques
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is based on a pretty simple idea: the way you think affects how you feel and what you do. We all have automatic thoughts that pop into our heads, and sometimes those thoughts aren't exactly accurate or helpful—like "I'm going to fail" or "Everyone thinks I'm awkward." CBT helps you notice these thoughts, question whether they're really true, and replace them with more balanced, realistic ones. It's very hands-on and practical.

    You'll learn specific techniques you can use when anxiety hits or when you're spiraling into negative thinking. It's not about toxic positivity or pretending everything's fine—it's about seeing situations more clearly so you're not making things harder on yourself than they need to be.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT gives you a toolbox of skills to handle intense emotions without letting them take over your life. It was originally created for people who feel everything very deeply and struggle with emotional ups and downs. You'll learn four main skill sets: how to stay present instead of getting lost in your head, how to deal with crisis moments without making things worse, how to understand and manage your emotions, and how to communicate your needs in relationships without damaging them.

    It's very practical—think of it as emotional regulation boot camp. The skills are things you can actually practice and use in real time when you're upset, overwhelmed, or about to do something you'll regret.

  • Solution-focused Therapy is all about looking forward instead of spending months dissecting what went wrong in the past. We focus on what's already working in your life—even if it's small—and build on that. Instead of dwelling on problems, we explore what you want your life to look like and figure out concrete steps to get you there. Think of it as being more like a roadmap than a rearview mirror.

    This approach is practical and usually shorter-term, which means you're not signing up for years of therapy. You'll leave each session with something actionable you can actually use in your daily life. It's especially helpful if you're feeling stuck and just want to start making real progress without getting lost in endless analysis.

A smiling young girl wearing headphones uses a digital tablet while sitting in bed with her Shar-Pei dog.
A smiling young girl wearing headphones uses a digital tablet while sitting in bed with her Shar-Pei dog.

Creating a Safe Space for Your Healing Journey

My approach to therapy is rooted in creating a warm and welcoming environment where you can truly be yourself without judgment. I believe healing happens best when you feel genuinely seen and accepted, so I bring my authentic self to our sessions and invite you to do the same. My open-minded perspective means I meet you exactly where you are, without assumptions about what your life should look like or what choices you should make.

I'm naturally affirming in my style, which means I help you recognize your inherent strengths and worth, especially when you're struggling to see them yourself. Rather than focusing solely on what's wrong, I work to empower you by highlighting your resilience and helping you discover the tools you already have within you to create positive change.

A smiling man sits on a sofa during a mental health therapy session with a counselor.
A smiling man sits on a sofa during a mental health therapy session with a counselor.
Portrait of a person with curly red hair and hazel eyes posing outdoors with soft bokeh lighting.
Portrait of a person with curly red hair and hazel eyes posing outdoors with soft bokeh lighting.

What to expect:

When we work together, you can expect a true partnership. I don't believe in sitting back as the "expert" who has all the answers—you're the expert on your own life. My job is to bring my training and experience to help you find solutions that actually work for you.

In our first few sessions, we'll really get to know each other. I'm an open book and happy to answer questions you have about me or how I work—building trust matters, and that goes both ways. From there, we'll figure out what you actually want to achieve and break it down into goals that feel doable, not overwhelming. I'll help you track your progress along the way so you can see concrete evidence of the changes you're making.

Here's what that looks like in real life: You'll learn to catch yourself when anxiety or negative thinking starts spiraling and actually do something about it in the moment. You'll develop grounding techniques you can use when you're overwhelmed—tools that bring you back to the present instead of letting panic take over. We'll work on identifying your emotions as they come up and understanding what they're trying to tell you, so you're not just reacting blindly. You'll start to notice patterns in how you relate to others and make intentional changes that improve your relationships.

Smiling woman with light brown hair wearing a white sweater and gold jewelry in a professional portrait.
Smiling woman with light brown hair wearing a white sweater and gold jewelry in a professional portrait.

Clients report they start to notice positive changes in their everyday life when they stop avoiding hard conversations, feel less controlled by their anxiety, and actually enjoy things again. They notice they're not snapping at their partner or shutting down when conflict comes up. They feel more like themselves—clearer, calmer, and more in control of their reactions.

In our work together you can expect a space that feels safe and judgment-free—where you can show up as you are and leave with practical skills that make a real difference in your day-to-day life.

On a personal note:

When I'm not working, I love to be outside and go hiking, skiing, or running with my dog. Other hobbies of mine include baking, exploring new places, and reading historical fiction.

women's black jacket
women's black jacket

Contact Me

At NECC, we commit to responding to every message we receive.

Most of the time we respond within 24 hours.