Marissa Katz Bellani

Marissa Katz Bellani is a licensed mental health counselor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, depression, and other life challenges. She practices with a warm, interactive style and aims to meet clients where they are. Marissa draws on several therapeutic approaches to support clearer thinking and calmer moments.

She has eight years of experience in clinical work and internships. Marissa studied expressive arts and music therapy and uses creativity when it fits a person's needs. She also uses talking therapies to address everyday struggles like low self-esteem, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues.

Her work often addresses longer-running patterns such as attachment issues, codependency, family of origin problems, and communication difficulties. She also supports people coping with chronic illness, caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life concerns, and intellectual disability-related challenges. Marissa includes approaches drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people build practical skills.

Marissa practices in Hawaii and offers services in English. She treats LGBT concerns, bipolar disorder challenges, and the loneliness or isolation that can follow major life changes. People who prefer a collaborative, person-centered approach will find her style accessible and straightforward.

She encourages clients to set small, achievable goals and to use creative expression when helpful. The overall aim is calmer daily living and clearer next steps, guided by what each person finds meaningful.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Marissa uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in ways that translate well to online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them and focus on actions that match their values. That approach can help with anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration, creating space for the client to lead sessions and explore what matters most to them.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. Marissa will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and daily realities to decide which methods to try first. She adapts techniques to the online setting and checks in regularly to see what is or isn't working.

Confirm the therapist's current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow for comfortable pacing of work between meetings. They also let people try creative exercises and learning tools during the session that support skill practice between meetings.