Marisse Almazan
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #161515
Supervised by Shirla de Magalhães, LMFT # 82947
I am a second-generation Filipino American, born and raised in San Diego, primarily in Southeast San Diego. Before pursuing psychology, I originally planned to major in Art. However, life led me down a different path. At 18, I became a mother and began raising my first child who was born with special needs. Through him, I learned that communication extends far beyond words and that people can express their needs, emotions, and experiences in many different ways. This perspective has profoundly shaped how I understand, connect with, and support others.
Many of the experiences that contributed to my personal growth were born from childhood adversity. Becoming a teen mother, healing through divorce, and rediscovering myself through significant life transitions sparked a deep curiosity about the human mind and body. Along the way, I became a student of my own nervous system, learning firsthand how our experiences shape the way we think, feel, connect, and heal.
I still find joy in painting and exploring every art medium I can get my hands on. However, over time, I realized that psychology was its own form of art, an art of understanding the mind. Therefore, in 2020, I made the decision to return to school and pursue this passion. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling and continued my education by pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.
In addition, I completed a certificate in Neuroscience through Harvard's edX program and obtained a certification in Neuropsychotherapy. These experiences have allowed me to integrate creativity, science, and compassion into a meaningful path dedicated to helping others better understand themselves and move toward healing and growth.
I approach my work with warmth, empathy, intentionality, and openness. My hope is to cultivate a safe and welcoming space where individuals feel truly seen, heard, and valued as they move toward healing, growth, and transformation. I work with children, teens, and adults as they navigate the ebbs and flows of life. I believe no challenge is too big or too small to be met with care, compassion, and support. I hold space for individuals navigating dissociation, abandonment wounds, attachment- related challenges, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and the lasting impact of trauma.
I believe in the importance of inner-child work and welcoming all parts of ourselves so we can move toward wholeness. I am trauma-informed and polyvagal-informed, and I use a client-centered approach, Internal Family Systems (IFS), psychodynamic therapy while integrating play-based techniques and somatic modalities to help foster healing, self-awareness, and growth. Healing can feel like an obstacle, but it is not a race. It is a stroll through the hills and valleys of life that should be met with patience, and curiosity.
Areas of focus:
Availability - In-Person Sessions
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #161515
Supervised by Shirla de Magalhães, LMFT # 82947
I am a second-generation Filipino American, born and raised in San Diego, primarily in Southeast San Diego. Before pursuing psychology, I originally planned to major in Art. However, life led me down a different path. At 18, I became a mother and began raising my first child who was born with special needs. Through him, I learned that communication extends far beyond words and that people can express their needs, emotions, and experiences in many different ways. This perspective has profoundly shaped how I understand, connect with, and support others.
Many of the experiences that contributed to my personal growth were born from childhood adversity. Becoming a teen mother, healing through divorce, and rediscovering myself through significant life transitions sparked a deep curiosity about the human mind and body. Along the way, I became a student of my own nervous system, learning firsthand how our experiences shape the way we think, feel, connect, and heal.
I still find joy in painting and exploring every art medium I can get my hands on. However, over time, I realized that psychology was its own form of art, an art of understanding the mind. Therefore, in 2020, I made the decision to return to school and pursue this passion. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling and continued my education by pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.
In addition, I completed a certificate in Neuroscience through Harvard's edX program and obtained a certification in Neuropsychotherapy. These experiences have allowed me to integrate creativity, science, and compassion into a meaningful path dedicated to helping others better understand themselves and move toward healing and growth.
I approach my work with warmth, empathy, intentionality, and openness. My hope is to cultivate a safe and welcoming space where individuals feel truly seen, heard, and valued as they move toward healing, growth, and transformation. I work with children, teens, and adults as they navigate the ebbs and flows of life. I believe no challenge is too big or too small to be met with care, compassion, and support. I hold space for individuals navigating dissociation, abandonment wounds, attachment- related challenges, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and the lasting impact of trauma.
I believe in the importance of inner-child work and welcoming all parts of ourselves so we can move toward wholeness. I am trauma-informed and polyvagal-informed, and I use a client-centered approach, Internal Family Systems (IFS), psychodynamic therapy while integrating play-based techniques and somatic modalities to help foster healing, self-awareness, and growth. Healing can feel like an obstacle, but it is not a race. It is a stroll through the hills and valleys of life that should be met with patience, and curiosity.
Areas of focus:
- Trauma & Attachment Healing
- Anxiety, Depression, & Emotional Regulation
- Dissociation & Nervous System Regulation
- Inner Child Work & Parts Work (IFS)
- Self-Worth, Identity, & Personal Growth
- Relationship Patterns & Connection
- Grief, Loss, & Life Transitions
- Somatic & Polyvagal-Informed Approaches
- Children, Teens, & Adult Therapy
Availability - In-Person Sessions
- Monday & Friday 9:30 AM-3:00 PM
|
Education & Professional Background
M.A in Counseling Psychology National University San Diego, California B.A in Applied Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling Los Angeles Pacific University Los Angeles, California |
Certifications
Neuropsychotherapy NPT-C Certificate in Trauma Stress Studies led by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk Polyvagal Trauma Therapist Certificate led by Rebecca Kase Attachment Trauma Specialist Certificate |
