Marisa Dao
Marisa Dao
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Gender
Female
Ethnicity/Nationality
Biracial Filipina American
Language / Dialect
English
community
Body Positivity / Health at Every Size
LGBTQIAA+ / Queer Identified
Neurodivergent Friendly
Racial Justice Allied
Sex Positive / Kink Friendly
Veterans
Focus
Anxiety
Body Image
Depression
Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence
Multi-Racial / Bi-Racial / Multi-Ethnic Experience
Relationship Issues / Marriage Issues
Sexual Assault
Substance Abuse Disorder
Trauma and PTSD
Military
Treatment
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic Therapy (Body-Centered Therapy)
Trauma Focused
Modality
Elder
Individual
Group
About
My name is Marisa (she/her) I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Founder of Wayfinder Wellbeing Counseling. I currently live and work in San Diego (Kumeyaay Territory) and see clients virtually throughout California.
As a biracial daughter of a Filipina immigrant and the granddaughter of Swiss/German immigrants, I grew up in the Bay Area navigating multiple cultures and learning what it means to live between worlds. My own experiences with intergenerational expectations, faith deconstruction, and life as a progressively political military spouse have given me a deep appreciation for the complexity of identity, belonging, and healing. They continue to shape my passion for providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care grounded in curiosity that honors each client's unique story.
I am passionate about working with adults, with an emphasis on AANHPI/BIPOC, whose cultural, racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, socioeconomic, immigration or other identities shape emotional wellbeing. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which helps individuals process distressing memories and experiences by supporting the brain and body’s natural healing processes. I also integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) which offers practical tools for understanding and managing emotions, navigating life stressors, and improving relationships.
My therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that many challenges my clients face, such as anxiety, depression, avoidance/emotional numbing, feeling overwhelmed, or difficulty with boundaries, were developed out of survival. These responses often emerged as ways of coping with painful experiences, unmet needs, and the impact of navigating systems of oppression.
In our work together we’ll explore the experiences and patterns that shaped you, process what still feels unresolved, and develop skills to support emotional balance and deeper connection with yourself and the people that matter most to you.
Qualifications
LPCC 22478
Years in Practice: 4
Master's in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from University of San Diego
Bachelor’s in Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
Location
San Diego, CA
Online / remote services available
Virtual throughout CA
Pricing
$125— 185 per session
option for reduced rate for financial assistance
Accepted Insurance
Aetna
Cigna
