PuttingFamilyFirst

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MS Portrait of Marisa Schaff
Online therapist

Marisa Schaff

Warm LICSW focused on family needs

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Credentials
LICSW
Experience
10 years
Licensed in
Washington
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Marisa

Marisa Schaff is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Washington who focuses on family and parenting concerns. She writes in a straightforward, compassionate way and aims to make therapy practical and understandable. Marisa draws on a decade of clinical experience, including work in substance use settings and residential programs.

She uses a strengths-based stance and brings warmth and occasional humor to sessions. She began her career as a substance abuse counselor in 2010 and later earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver with a concentration in Family Systems and an Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate.

Background and approach

While in graduate school she took additional military culture coursework and completed a two-year post-graduate training program at the Denver Family Institute for marriage and family therapy in 2019. Her background includes roles in drug court and treatment programs serving pregnant and postpartum people.

Over the years she has addressed concerns such as anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relationship and communication problems, and family conflict. She also has experience with first responder issues and co-occurring conditions. Marisa uses a person-centered, strength-focused style.

She blends techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and mindfulness, tailoring methods to fit each person’s needs. Sessions aim to teach skills, unpack patterns, and support practical change. Evening and some weekend appointment options are part of her schedule.

To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to availability.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Marisa commonly draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) when working remotely. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and learning practical skills to change behaviors and moods, which can help with anxiety, depression, and problem-solving. EMDR is a structured approach used to process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity; it can be applied in sessions when trauma symptoms are a central concern. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. She will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then adapt techniques to fit each person. This collaborative process helps shape a plan that connects therapeutic methods to everyday challenges and family concerns. Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. These options make it easier to schedule sessions outside typical work hours and to continue care from home. The variety of formats allows people to use skills between meetings and to choose the way of communicating that feels most comfortable.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

EMDR

A structured protocol used with distressing memories, pairing recall with guided attention tasks. Some therapists adapt it for video sessions; whether that fits is worth asking about directly.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Marisa address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, bipolar and depression, ADHD, and family problems among other related concerns.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is person-centered and strengths-based with occasional humor. She combines skill teaching and practical problem solving with supportive reflection.
What is her training and experience background?
She has ten years of experience, a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver, post-graduate marriage and family therapy training, and a history of work in substance use and residential treatment settings.
What credentials and location are listed for her?
She holds the LICSW credential with Washington LICSW number WA LICSW LW61106044 and practices in Washington.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different preferences.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a therapy process with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
10 years
Licensed
Washington
Languages
English

Next step

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