Marissa O'Connor

Compassionate, practical support for life changes

LCSW New York

Experience: 7 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Marissa

Marissa O'Connor is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in New York who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.

Background and approach

She draws on seven years of clinical experience to support clients facing issues such as grief, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue, eating and sleeping problems, ADHD concerns, anger, and coping with change. Her work also addresses related areas like body image, caregiver stress, communication problems, and post-traumatic stress.

Her style centers on collaboration and practical skill-building, blending cognitive behavioral techniques with client-centered empathy and elements of dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Marissa emphasizes a strengths-based perspective, helping clients identify resources and set achievable goals while tailoring interventions to each unique situation.

She frames therapy as a process of discovering routines and strategies that fit a client's daily life rather than applying one fixed method. Clients can expect an individualized plan that targets problem areas while honoring personal values and preferences.

Marissa aims to create a nonjudgmental, supportive space where people can explore difficult emotions, reduce symptoms, and build healthier habits at a sustainable pace.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Work

CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, offering practical strategies for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and problem-solving in day-to-day life. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and building a collaborative relationship so clients feel heard while exploring values and goals. DBT provides skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for managing strong emotions and impulsivity.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to understand their goals, preferences, and symptoms, then combine methods that fit each person’s needs rather than applying a single technique. This lets clients try strategies and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with this practice offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, revisit tools between appointments, and stay connected during transitions or when in-person visits are impractical. Licensed professionals can guide skill practice and problem-solving in ways that fit a client’s routine and environment.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship issues, grief, eating and sleeping problems, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

What is the general therapeutic approach and style?

The approach blends client-centered empathy with evidence-informed tools such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to build skills and support growth.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

She has seven years of experience working with a range of concerns and tailors interventions to each person’s situation.

What are the therapist's credentials and where are they located?

She is an LCSW licensed in New York with license number NY LCSW 091115 and practices from a New York location.

Does she offer sessions in languages other than English or accept international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for receiving care?

Therapy can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.

How are fees and payment structured?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Compassion fatigue

Also works with

Relationship issuesGriefEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Body imageCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityLife purposeObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

7+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English