FindADHDTherapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

LICSW

Marisa Schaff, LICSW

  • Experience10 years
  • LocationWashington
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Addictions
  • Therapy approachesCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Explore therapy options

Compare available online therapy options and next steps.

About Marisa

Marisa Schaff is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Washington with ten years of clinical experience. She focuses on concerns such as stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, depression, coping with life changes, and ADHD.

Background and approach

Her background includes work as a substance abuse counselor and roles in diverse settings from drug court to residential programs for pregnant and postpartum women. Marisa trained at the University of Denver, earning a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Family Systems and completing an Animal-Assisted Social Work certificate.

She also completed a two-year post-graduate program at the Denver Family Institute focused on marriage and family therapy and has coursework related to military culture and treatment. Her practice integrates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Her counseling style emphasizes client strengths and practical growth, with moments of humor and positivity woven into treatment. Marisa views clients as experts in their own lives and tailors therapeutic techniques to fit individual goals and preferences.

She offers evening and some weekend appointment times to accommodate different schedules.

Therapeutic approaches and online care options

Marisa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, ADHD-related struggles, and coping with life changes. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness that help when emotions feel overwhelming or relationships are strained. She also incorporates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for processing traumatic memories and resolving distress linked to past events.

Choosing the right method is collaborative and often evolves during therapy. The therapist works with clients to assess goals, preferences, and the issues at hand, adapting techniques from CBT, DBT, EMDR, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing so the approach fits the person rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy with Marisa is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility in how and when people engage in treatment. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care across life transitions, and access support from home or other locations while working toward therapeutic goals.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
Marisa works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related problems, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, depression, coping with life changes, and ADHD.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The approach is person-centered and strengths-based, mixing evidence-informed techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy with EMDR, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing to meet individual needs.
What is the therapist's clinical experience and background?
She has ten years of experience, beginning as a substance abuse counselor and working in settings such as drug court and residential treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, with additional training in family systems and marriage and family therapy.
What credentials and location are listed for this clinician?
Marisa holds the LICSW credential with the Washington license WA LICSW LW61106044 and practices in Washington.
In what languages is therapy offered and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats does she provide for remote care?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and scheduling handled?
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 with this therapist?
To start, choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule appointments according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issues

Also works with

Family conflictsGriefSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English

What Marisa can help with

Marisa Schaff works with clients on stress and anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues.

Marisa started working as a Substance Abuse Counselor in 2010 with Adolescents and discovered that mental health often intersected.

Marisa has worked with anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.

How Marisa approaches therapy

Marisa's clinical approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Marisa is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in Washington, with 10 years of clinical experience.