Hello! My name is Nerissa (they or she pronouns) and I am a Licensed Social Work Associate Independent Clinician. I live, work, and play in Olympia Washington on the unceded land of the Squaxin, Nisqually, and Cowlitz Tribes. I graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelors in Social Work and the University of Denver with a Masters of Social Work. I’ve worked in oncology clinics, with youth involved in the legal system, and newly arrived immigrants prior to giving myself permission to hyper fixate on neurodivergent affirmative care.

I am deeply familiar with the frustration, pain, and fatigue of not knowing where one belongs, who they are, and the terrifying overwhelm of what it might mean to build a relationship with your authentic self. There have been times when I was lost & unsure of where to go for help or if I was worthy of it. Experiences where I was too queer and also not queer enough. As is often the way of healing, I want to create spaces for others that allows time to orientate, to be vulnerable, and have to space to try something new. I often support those with anxiety, who feel stuck, aren’t sure who they are or what they’re ‘supposed’ to do, who are questioning who they are or how all of their big feelings can fit into this word.

I have a curiosity for learning and think the diversity of my professional experiences reflect that. I seek out trainings on emerging approaches, enjoy perusing research, and focus on learning from educators with lived experience. You can expect me to implement as much of this knowledge as is relevant to your care. I will spare you the octopus facts, unless you also think they’re super cool.

If you resonated with the above I encourage you to reach out.