Marissa joined the SCS team in December of 2019 as a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern under the LPC supervision of Richard Alford. The SCS team loves having Marissa on board because of her knowledge, her previous work experience, and her laughter! Marissa helps guide children, adolescents, and adults who are dealing with trauma, abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and self-harming, PTSD, self-esteem, life transitions, family conflict, stress, marital/couples’ issues, parenting, bullying, and more.
Marissa graduated from University of Houston Victoria, magna cum laude in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In 2019 she received a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from University of Houston Victoria. During her Master’s coursework she worked with The Department of Family Protective Services in the Investigations unit. She also worked as a Supervisor of the Conservatorship unit located in Beeville, TX. In 2016 she made the difficult decision to leave the department to complete her practicum hours for school and began working as a Program Counselor with Connections Individual and Family Services. Marissa was a counselor with Connections until 2018 when their grant ended.
Marissa was an Army baby (born in Kentucky) but grew up in Beeville, TX. She has recently relocated to San Antonio, TX to complete her education in Counseling Psychology in the Doctoral Program. She is family oriented and has an amazing 11-year-old son, Chadin. She was married to Michael Collier for five incredible years until his untimely death in 2018. Her hobbies include: gardening, raising chickens, cooking, dancing, obstacle course races, and spending time with family and friends. Marissa is a full tough mudder finisher and also a youth Yoga instructor. Her home church is St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and she is hopeful to find a church to call home in San Antonio.
Marissa is currently completing counseling internship hours working under both the supervision of Richard Alford Jr., MS, LPC -S and Serenity Counseling Services. She is gaining experience in sand tray therapy, play therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, and individual therapy for adults. Marissa serves clients through Telethealth as well as travels to Beeville twice a month to see face to face clients.
Marissa’s goal as a professional counselor is work collaboratively with her clients to overcome life’s traumas and mental health issues. Her treatment approach is unique for each client and considers herself to be eclectic; however, she tends to use Post Modern approaches (Solution focused and Narrative) as well as behavioral therapies such as CBT to empower and teach clients to help themselves and reach their goals. She provides trauma informed care and has been trained in TFCBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
Marissa has helped design and lead the “Cool, Calm, & Kind” Camp for kids and is currently collaborating with the founder of Serenity Counseling Services to open up a satellite location closer to her home. Marissa is excited to be an integral part of the growth of this faith-based organization and to serve God and all His children. Her favorite scripture is from Job as she says it helps get her through tough times. “As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” ~Job 5:8-9