Marissa Katz Bellani

Warm, practical therapy for life transitions

LMHC Hawaii

Experience: 8 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Marissa

Marissa Katz Bellani is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Hawaii. She aims to make therapy approachable and practical for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, grief, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addiction, or major life changes.

Background and approach

Marissa writes and speaks plainly and focuses on meeting clients where they are. She blends evidence-based talk therapies with a warm, interactive style.

Sessions may include Client-Centered techniques that follow the client's lead, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful patterns, and elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to build values-driven action. The Gottman Method is also part of her toolkit for working on relationship dynamics.

Marissa has eight years of professional experience and holds an MA and the LMHC credential. She draws on that background to support people dealing with attachment concerns, communication problems, caregiver stress, chronic pain or illness, isolation and identity issues among other challenges.

Her work includes attention to trauma, intimacy-related struggles, bipolar mood concerns, and issues related to sexual orientation. She offers online sessions to people located in Hawaii and accepts international clients who can connect in English.

Session options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Therapy uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability after selecting the Start Therapy button.

How her methods translate to online therapy

Marissa commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Gottman Method alongside Client-Centered practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and learning practical ways to act on them despite difficult thoughts or feelings; it can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. The Gottman Method looks at interaction patterns and communication in relationships and can help people address conflict and improve connection. Client-Centered therapy emphasizes listening and empathetic support so the client sets the pace and topics for work.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Marissa will work collaboratively to figure out which methods fit a person's goals, needs, and preferences and may blend techniques over time to suit progress and feedback.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people living in Hawaii or abroad who prefer not to travel to appointments. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations and longer sessions, phone sessions can be helpful when bandwidth is limited or a quieter background is needed, and live chat or text messaging work well for brief check-ins or when writing out thoughts feels easier. These formats make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to continue work between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does this therapist address?

Marissa works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes, among other concerns.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is warm and interactive, combining Client-Centered listening with practical CBT and elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people make changes that matter.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings eight years of professional experience as a practicing mental health counselor.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds an MA and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing from Hawaii.

In which languages can someone meet with her?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients who can connect in that language.

Which session formats are offered?

Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client preference.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved to start therapy?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Depression

Also works with

Addictions LGBT Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Self esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Codependency Communication problems Family of origin issuesFamily problemsForgiveness Guilt and shame Hospice and end-of-life counseling InfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Money and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-love Sexual assault and abuse Sexuality Social anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed in

Massachusetts, Hawaii

Languages

English