My name is Marissa Howard. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the use of contemporary, evidence-based therapies (more on that later). Before talking about my professional background and credentials, I'd like to share some things about the person I am, because I believe that being a good therapist depends on being authentically oneself as much as it does on academic training. It's not easy to communicate personal qualities on a website, so bear with me as I try to balance professionalism and genuineness.
Ultimately, the test will be in how you experience me when we meet.
Being a 'helper' comes naturally to me. Even when I was very young, I was told that I was warm, genuine, and somehow seemed to know the right thing to say to help people feel good about themselves. Before I thought about pursuing a career that built on those traits, I wanted to be a singer and casting director. I began singing ('belting' actually) and performing in musical theater in elementary school. But in my junior year, I developed the croup and lost my voice for a month. I figured I better come up with an alternate plan. I replaced the list of musical theatre schools I'd hung on the fridge with a list of schools with great psychology and human services programs and I've never looked back.
I attended Elon University, earning a bachelor's degree in Human Services and Psychology. I subsequently earned a Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University of Chicago and completed an internship at Children's Memorial Hospital (now Ann H Lurie). For the twelve years before founding Flourish, I worked as a therapist, teacher, administrator, researcher, and Faculty Member at Duke University Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. I am enormously privileged to have had incredible training and mentors every step of the way.
At Flourish, I use contemporary, evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients with life challenges including anxiety, depression, life transitions, OCD, perfectionism, maternal and perinatal mental health.
Additionally, I have a passion for helping the family members and loved ones of individuals who have difficulty with emotion regulation.
As Flourish continues to grow, I spend less time with patients and more time caring for our employees and navigating the administrative side of health care. That said, I believe it is essential for “clinical administrators” to also be clinicians in order to be effective. I also still love doing clinical work and care deeply about my patients. So, I will always see some clients. If you think I’d be the right fit for your care, let us know and we can let you know about my availability. I would consider it an honor if you would entrust me with your story and allow me to join you on your journey towards healing and wellness.
Education
• BA Elon University
• AM University of Chicago
Sessions with MARISSA can be
• In person at our Raleigh office
• Virtual
Areas of Clinical Specialty & Advanced Training
• Maternal & parental mental health
• Anxiety Disorders
• Trauma (CPT & IFS)
