Marisa Schaff, LICSW

Marisa Schaff is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Washington. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship problems, trauma, and other life challenges. Her style is practical and straightforward, and she aims to make therapy a place for learning as well as hard work.

Marisa began working in substance use counseling in 2010 and saw how often mental health and addiction overlap. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver with a concentration in family systems and completed additional training in family therapy. Over the years she has worked in settings from drug court to residential programs for pregnant and postpartum people.

Her approach centers on the person in front of her. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside tools from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Marisa adapts techniques to fit someone’s goals rather than following a single method.

Sessions mix practical skill-building, problem-solving, and space to talk through painful experiences. She often brings lightness and humor when appropriate to balance hard work and growth. Marisa emphasizes strengths and steady progress.

With ten years of experience, she helps people facing a wide range of concerns including grief, self-esteem struggles, ADHD, bipolar symptoms, intimacy and family issues, and addiction. Evening and some weekend appointments are part of her schedule to increase accessibility.

Therapeutic approaches for online support

Marisa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test them with everyday actions. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and changing patterns that get in the way of daily life. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. DBT tools can help when emotions feel overwhelming or relationships are strained.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then try methods that fit those needs. Techniques can change over time as progress is made and new challenges arise, and Marisa works with clients to pick strategies that feel manageable and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls are helpful for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or a camera isn’t preferred. Live chat and text-based messaging can be used for brief check-ins, homework review, or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, school, or caregiving responsibilities while still working on meaningful change.