Marissa Swanson (she/her) is a dedicated child and family therapist with a passion for helping kids, tweens, and teens build confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being. With a strong background in school counseling and child development, she brings over a decade of experience guiding young people through anxiety, mood challenges, life transitions, and social skills development.

Marissa holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a PPS credential from Saint Mary’s College.

Marissa’s expertise extends to supporting neurodiverse children and teens, helping them embrace their strengths and move toward their best selves. Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and a client-centered approach, she tailors therapy to each child’s unique needs while working collaboratively with parents to foster a supportive home environment.

Before joining Raising Brave Kids, Marissa served as an elementary school counselor, adjunct faculty member, and licensed therapist in various clinical and educational settings. She has presented at professional conferences, contributed to research on school-based interventions, and pursued extensive training in neurodiversity-affirming care, compassionate trauma-responsive practices, and social-emotional development.

Since moving to the Portland metro area in 2021, Marissa has been excited to connect with families in her new community. When she’s not working, you can find her watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, painting with watercolors, and gardening. She also enjoys staying active with barre classes and exploring her neighborhood with her two playful dogs.