Marissa Smarto, Pre-Licensed Professional. Supervised by Valerie Martin, 6452.

My clients describe me as:

Kind, genuine, and relatable. I strive to hold a safe space for my clients where they feel free to give feedback about what is/isn't working.

Something to know about my approach is:

I offer an individualized, relational approach to therapy. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is an important contributor to individual growth. I incorporate mindfulness and trauma/acceptance based modalities including EMDR.

Together, we will:

collaboratively work to get to the root of your issues, so that we can then work on the best approach to move forward. We will build a strong therapeutic alliance that will serve as the foundation for the therapy process.

I specialize in working with people who:

may have been taught to numb, hide, or ignore their feelings, resulting in a lack of emotional awareness/expression. You feel like your problems aren't big enough. You may carry beliefs such as "something is wrong with me" or "I am not enough."

I became a therapist because:

I believe that everyone deserves support and guidance as they navigate the trauma and difficult experiences of being human.

Something that stands out about where I offer therapy is:

Many clients who come to the Gaia Center often mention how comfortable and cozy our space feels.

More about me and my practice:

I know how hard it can be to reach out for help for the first time, and I would be honored if you are willing to take that step with me. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!