Young woman with short black hair smiling outdoors, wearing a colorful knitted sweater, with blurred trees and pink flowers in the background.

Marissa Smit

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #140618 (She/Her)

Hi, I’m Marissa. I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, supervised by Chheng Ear, MSW, LCSW #28984. My academic journey includes a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Expressive Arts Therapy.

My areas of expertise encompass the intricate and often interconnected realms of Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Grief/Loss, Social Skills Challenges, Emotional Regulation Challenges, self-worth challenges, and beyond. Through the transformative practices of Play Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Talk Therapy, I endeavor to create a space of healing and exploration. Working with children (2 and up), teens, and their families is a calling I embrace with an empathetic, curious, and expressive approach.

I am passionate about the therapeutic potential of the creative arts. I believe that within every child lies a profound right to dignity and holistic growth, a right that must be nurtured and honored.

When I’m not working, I love indulging in my personal art projects (collaging is my favorite!), watching and talking about movies, directors, and actors, and getting lost in a good book. Let’s explore this healing journey together with warmth and creativity!

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Specialized Training Inspiring Our Work

  • Child-Centered Play Therapy (ongoing)

  • Hand-in-Hand Parenting (ongoing)

  • Early Childhood Mental Health (ongoing)

  • Developmental Needs of the Adopted Child (1.5 hours)

  • Practical Skills for Assessing Client Safety (1.5 hours)

  • Foundations of the Play Therapy Relationship (12 hours)

  • Play Therapy Models and Applications (12 hours)

  • Play Therapy to Heal from Trauma (12 hours)

  • Assessment and Treatment of ADHD in Children, Adolescents, and Adults (2 hours)

  • Integrating Parents into Play Therapy: Three Models with Variations (6 hours)

  • Intake to Witness Chair: Navigating as a Play Therapist (3 hours)

  • Empowering Children Facing Cultural Trauma: Play Therapy Approaches to Build Resilience and Inspire Bravery (2 hours)

  • The Intersection of Sexual Trauma and Play Therapy: Interventions for Treating the Complexities of Abuse (2 hours)

  • Play Therapy for Adoptive Children and Families: Navigating the Seven Core Issues in Adoption to Create Healthy Self-Expression, Attachment, and Trauma Healing (2 hours)

  • Playful Curiosity for Building Resilience: 5 Essential Domains in Assessing Medical Trauma with Play Therapy (2 hours)