Hi, I’m Marissa (she/her).
I’m a Denver-based therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC). I come from a mixed and multicultural background having Korean, Japanese, and Scottish-American heritage. My cultural roots and identity have had a profound impact on who I am and inform my “why” as a therapist: to integrate cultural sensitivity and awareness into mental health care and foster meaningful human connection focused on growth and empowerment.
In addition to being a therapist, I’m also a devoted dog mom to my sweet baby angel Mandu (means “dumpling” in Korean). I’m a daughter, sister, partner, and friend to some lovely humans. I love to spend time with my family and friends both outside (whether it be traveling, spending time in the mountains, lounging in one of Denver’s beautiful parks, or on my porch/in our garden) and inside (cooking, watching our favorite movies, or getting cozy with a book).
Education & Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) in Colorado
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - University of Colorado Denver
BA in Psychology - University of Miami
Training & Experience
Clinical internship at Agape Healthcare Hospice & Palliative Care providing grief and bereavement counseling
Non-profit community mental health working with clients of diverse cultural backgrounds and marginalized identities
My Approach & Specialties
I bring a compassionate, client-centered, and relational approach to therapy. I view the therapeutic relationship and meaningful, authentic human connection as central to the change and healing process. I take a holistic approach to therapy, taking time to help clients build self-insight into their emotions, thoughts, patterns, and behaviors to better understand how all of their cumulative experiences, as well as societal and cultural influences, interact and impact challenges they may be experiencing today. I believe that the most effective therapy is integrative and tailored to the unique needs of each client. If you’re curious, here are some modalities I utilize in therapy:
Relational-Cultural Theory
Narrative Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Existential Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy
Feminist & Social Justice Therapy
Trauma-Informed
LGBTQ+ Affirming
My training and experience are rooted in grief work and working with clients of diverse backgrounds across culture, identity, age, and life experience. Some of my specialties and areas of expertise include:
Asian-identifying/AAPI community
Racial, cultural, & multicultural identity
Grief & loss (death & non-death)
Life stressors & transitions
Family & intergenerational conflict
Relationship conflict
Anxiety
Depression
Emotion regulation
Women’s issues
LGBTQ+ community