Marissa Muraca (she/her)
BA, HBSW, BSW
Therapist Intern
(905) 527 - 6337
admin@everwellcounselling.ca
Availability
Marissa is not currently accepting new clients
Marissa Muraca
Therapist Intern
Masters of Social Work Student
Hey there! I’m Marissa, a Registered Social Worker who is in the midst of completing her MSW at Lakehead University! I have experience in both a public healthcare setting, as well as within hospice, grief and loss, and end of life.
Asking for help is hard, but it is also courageous. With you at the centre, my hope is that we can build a strong working relationship to help you achieve your goals, no matter how big or small. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe, supportive, and judgement free space for you to be authentic and vulnerable, and to provide an environment for you to express your emotions. I am here to not just listen to your individual story, but to also learn from it. Because after all, I’m not the expert, you are.
Q & A with Marissa
What made you decide to choose your current profession?
“I have always been the listening friend, and have loved being able to offer support to my friends and family. After experiencing several losses, both in death and in relationship loss, I decided pursuing a career in social work would provide me with the opportunity to help others that are experiencing changes within their life, whether it is through working to better understand their own self and emotions, or working through the complicated nature of grief and loss.”
What is your biggest achievement to date - personal or professional?
“Making the decision to return to school after so many years off. My educational career is one that I am incredibly proud of, and being accepted into a Master of Social Worker program has been nothing short of an incredible experience.”
What do you want your clients to know about you and what it will be like working with you?
“I am first and foremost a human being. I am not the expert in anyone's life, and I value learning about individual client experiences in order to tailor sessions to client specific needs. I provide a warm and judgement free space for clients to be themselves. A positive therapeutic bond is a crucial component of my work, and I hope to offer my clients the space to express their emotions and work through them in order to gain a deeper understanding of themselves.”
What do you like most about the work you do?
“The people! Having the opportunity to be a support in someone's life is a privilege and I appreciate having the opportunity to learn from them. Along with this is the working relationships that are also developed. Being able to learn from others in the same profession is incredibly important to me.”
Special Interests
Grief and Bereavement
Attachment
Self-exploration
Cancer
Second Generation Canadians
Relationship Loss
End-of-life
Anticipatory Grief
Education / Accomplishments /Awards
Masters of Social Work (in progress)
Honours Bachelor Degree in Social Work
Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
Member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Average Cost
$70.00 + HST (per session)
(sliding scale available upon request)
What personal qualities are important for the job that you do?
Empathy
Compassion
Attentive listening
Self-reflection
Just for fun
What is your favourite place to find inspiration?
“In nature! I love spending time outdoors, especially with friends and family. It not only brings me peace, but inspires me to find meaning.”
What's your favourite thing to do on your off time?
“Music is a huge part of my personal time. I spend most of my off time shopping for and listening to records.”
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
“Be yourself! I have learned over the years the importance of authenticity and expressing myself in a way that makes me proud.”