Marisa is originally from Marquette, MI, where she discovered her passion for rural mental health. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Health Psychology from Appalachian State University in 2016 and later returned to school to complete her doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) at Western Carolina University. Marisa was excited to rejoin AppHealthCare in 2025 and now serves as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer. She enjoys working with people on a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, sleep difficulties, health behavior change, and perinatal mood disorders. Marisa takes an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from evidence-based practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These approaches help people develop skills to work through difficult thoughts and emotions, rather than trying to push them away, so they can live lives that feel meaningful and aligned with their values. In her free time, Marisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, swimming, and reading.
Location: Watauga and Ashe Health Centers
Meet More Team Members
Cassie Adler, Behavioral Health Consultant, LCSW-A
Ashley Parlier, School Based Behavioral Health Consultant, LCMHC
Isabel Anderson, Behavioral Health Consultant, LCMHC-A, LCAS-A
