About Marisa
Marisa Richardson is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years of experience helping people handle stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, and depression. She practices in Missouri and uses straightforward, respectful conversation to help people sort through tough moments. Marisa aims to meet each person where they are and tailor support to individual needs.
Her work focuses on practical steps people can take between sessions. She combines client-centered listening with strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.
Background and approach
That mix helps people notice patterns, test small changes, and reduce symptoms like panic or seasonal low mood. Marisa also pays attention to life roles that add pressure. She supports people dealing with caregiver stress, workplace strain, money worries, and the isolation that can come with life transitions.
She helps people repair communication problems and work through feelings like guilt, shame, or the need for forgiveness. Sessions often include setting small, achievable goals and practicing skills during the week. Marisa prefers clear language and practical exercises rather than jargon.
The plan evolves as progress is made and priorities shift. Many people come for help with coping during big changes or for relief from ongoing anxiety or depressive symptoms. Marisa treats each person with sensitivity and compassion and adjusts her approach as needs change.
How Marisa’s Approach Adapts to Online Therapy
Marisa uses client-centered listening to understand what matters most to each person. That approach focuses on empathetic conversation, clear reflection, and shaping sessions around the client’s goals. It helps when someone needs space to talk and be heard without judgement.She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT offers simple, practical tools for anxiety, panic, low mood, and workplace stress. Mindfulness methods are used alongside these tools to build present-moment awareness and reduce automatic reactivity.
Finding the right mix of techniques is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to choose approaches that match needs, goals, and comfort with different exercises. Plans are adjusted over time based on what helps in daily life.
Online options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allow therapy to fit into busy schedules. Video calls are useful for deeper conversations and visual cues, phone sessions work well for lower bandwidth or a simpler check-in, and messaging formats support brief questions, reflections, or ongoing skill practice. These choices help make regular work on goals more practical and flexible for everyday life.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 25 years
- Licensed
- Missouri
- Languages
- English