Meet Marissa

Modern wooden house overlooking a lake with mountains in the background and tall grass in the foreground on a clear day.
Smiling person wearing glasses and a beige sweater, seated in front of a neutral background.

Marissa Gray, LCSW, PMH-C

I have been working with parents, professionals, children, and families for over fifteen years. My experiences as a school social worker, social justice advocate, preschool director, clinical director, and clinical supervisor are all part of who I am as a therapist. I provide clients with a unique, personalized, non-judgmental space, with the core belief that high quality mental healthcare matters. Together, we can understand not only what is contributing to your stress, but how to make changes, choices and decisions that help you move through it. 

I offer a client-centered, personalized approach, with sessions that are conversational, comfortable, and compassionate. I pull from evidence-based approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. I also have specialized training in perinatal mental health, furthering my expertise as a certified perinatal mental health provider (PMH-C).

Therapy is an investment of your time, money, and emotional energy, and I both value and prioritize the importance of creating a space that is the right fit for you.

white and yellow daisies with green stems

Marissa’s Approach as a Women’s Mental Health Specialist

When I started Gray Therapy Group, I set out to create a space for women’s mental health - a place that prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of women by providing a nurturing environment where women can feel heard, understood, and supported.

I am committed to providing personalized therapy that addresses the unique challenges women face, from daily stressors and deeply rooted patterns, to life transitions that impact mood and mental health.

Through a collaborative approach, I strive to foster an emotionally safe environment where women feel empowered to develop the tools they need for self-compassion, healthy relationships, emotional well-being, and a fulfilling life rooted in their values. 

 Personalized Therapy for You Guided by Gray Therapy Group's Values

  • Rooted in the belief that "therapists are humans first," I strive to enter the therapy room as my authentic self - a self that holds many roles that allow our sessions to feel relatable, honest, and built on trust... and we will even weave in humor whenever those authentic moments arise.

  • I enter each therapy session with an intention to show up with empathy. Being able to validate emotions and humanize experiences builds compassion that allows our sessions to become a space where you do not feel alone in your thoughts or feelings.

  • Confidentiality is a core component of therapy. In order to talk through the things you are coming to therapy to discuss, you need to know you are entering an emotionally safe space where your personal information stays in the therapy room. (*Exceptions regarding written consent and safety discussed during intake.)

  • I value your autonomy, experiences, and individuality. This looks like respecting your decisions and boundaries within our sessions, while also ensuring that our work together is focused on what matters most to you. I respect your time, effort, and investment in therapy. 

Professional Qualifications:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of Illinois Perinatal Mental Health Certification, Postpartum Support International Professional Educator License in School Social Work, Illinois State Board of Education

Education & Training:

Masters of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago

Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education, Miami University

Check out Marissa’s interview featured in Chicago North Shore Moms | Local Moms Network

  • "I have had the joy of being a colleague of Marissa’s and collaborating with her on numerous occasions. She is professional, organized, and always goes above and beyond to ensure her clients and colleagues feel supported and valued. She is a skilled listener and has an innate ability to understand and empathize with others, which is a testament to her compassion and dedication to her clients' well-being. I would highly recommend Marissa as a therapist to anyone seeking support for their mental health. She is a true asset to the field!"

    Mollie Bass, LMFT, PMH-C

    Hearten Therapy Co-Owner & Psychotherapist

  • "Marissa is a deeply compassionate and insightful therapist. I have known her for 15 years and have referred clients to her many times, including during my maternity leave. She excels in relational work and empowering women. I highly recommend her."

    Sarah Levine-Miles, LCSW, PMH-C

    Private Practice Owner & Psychotherapist

  • "I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work closely with Marissa over the last few years. She brings such a warm, compassionate, and gentle presence that support both her clients and those around her."

    Emily Buettner, LMFT

    Hearten Therapy Co-Owner & Psychotherapist

  • "I can't thank you enough for all of your help. I appreciate that your style is not to tell me what I should do, but rather to equip me with the framework to make decisions in a confident and compassionate way (compassionate both to myself and others!). And now I find myself naturally applying the principles and strategies you have shared in my daily life. "

    Former client (testimonials are never soliticed)