Marissa O'Connor, LCSW

Marissa O'Connor is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York who focuses on helping people restore balance when life feels overwhelming. She approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective, working with clients to identify existing resources and build sustainable coping strategies for issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, sleep and eating concerns, parenting challenges, and attention differences like ADHD. Marissa emphasizes empathy and an individualized approach, tailoring interventions to each person rather than using a one-size-fits-all method.

Her practice centers on collaboration - she partners with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families to resolve conflicts, process painful experiences, and develop practical skills for day-to-day functioning. Drawing on evidence-informed methods, she helps clients navigate transitions, recover from difficult events, and strengthen self-esteem while addressing compassion fatigue and caregiver stress when present.

Marissa explains that LCSW denotes a clinician trained in both therapy and social systems work, bringing a broad view of personal and environmental factors into treatment. Those seeking a supportive, nonjudgmental space to work through life challenges will find an attentive clinician who aims to empower clients to create healthier patterns and a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Marissa O'Connor draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to support clients in an online format. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, empathetic relationship where the client’s goals guide the work - it is useful for improving self-esteem, exploring identity, and navigating life changes. CBT is a practical, skills-based approach that helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop new behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and panic. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills, making it helpful for intense emotions, impulsivity, and relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process; Marissa collaborates with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals and then tailors a plan that may blend these methods. This collaborative stance helps ensure the work feels relevant and achievable.

Online therapy with Marissa is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions, accommodate busy routines, and access consistent support from licensed professionals without travel requirements.