Meet marissa kuhl, lcsw
Stress Management Therapist in Scottsdale, AZ
Are you feeling overwhelmed from caring for everyone else while struggling to care for yourself? Do you want to move forward, find purpose, and reconnect with what matters to you—but feel stuck under the weight of constant stress? You’re not alone. Life’s demands can make it hard to prioritize your own well-being, and sometimes the path forward feels unclear. In our work together, we’ll create a supportive space to help you slow down, gain clarity, and rediscover balance, meaning, and confidence in your life. In our work together at Kuhl Mental Health, you’ll learn how to:
Understand your
emotions instead of
judging them
Tolerate discomfort
and
use it as a compass
Break patterns that
no longer serve you
Take meaningful
steps forward
imperfectly
but intentionally
I’ve Experienced the Healing Power of Therapy Myself
Like many of my clients, I’ve experienced periods of feeling overwhelmed and burned out. For a time, I was balancing the demands of caring for aging parents while carrying the heavy worry of making something meaningful out of my life (oh, and while working too.) It often felt like I was stretched too thin, unsure how to manage everything without losing myself.
Therapy became a crucial part of my healing. It gave me space to process those feelings and develop practical strategies to regain control. One of the most powerful lessons I learned was how to build impactful routines into my daily life—small, intentional habits that helped me create stability and a sense of purpose, even amid the chaos.
Through this process, I found resilience and clarity, discovering that meaning isn’t something distant or overwhelming but that it’s built step by step, day by day. Now, as a therapist, I bring this understanding to my work, supporting others in creating their own balance in life’s complexities.
I want you to truly hear this
Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a testament to your strength.
Are you wondering what it will be like to talk to someone you've never met before?
Maybe you're asking yourself:
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
“What if I get too emotional, or don’t know where to start?”
“What if my problems aren’t ‘serious enough’ for therapy?”
Feeling unsure about starting therapy? That’s okay. Whether you're anxious about opening up, worried you’ll say the “wrong” thing, or wondering if your problems are even “serious enough”—you’re not alone. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about having a safe, judgment-free space to begin exploring. Think of it as a heart-to-heart with someone who truly listens, gently guides, and helps you make sense of the noise in your mind. You set the pace, and I meet you where you are—no pressure, no perfection required. As someone whose life was changed by therapy, I’m here to walk with you through your own healing journey—one honest, empowering conversation at a time.
My therapy approach is grounded in a solution-focused philosophy which includes finding practical solutions that work for you.
How I work
Creating a resiliency toolkit has been essential in my own journey, and it’s something I love helping others develop.
“What would be different in your life if you started to feel more like yourself again?”
“What’s helped you get through difficult times in the past?”
“What’s one small action you could take this week that would bring you just a little closer to feeling more grounded?”
“If we could fast forward six months and things were even 10% better, what would you notice?”
In our work together, you’ll have space to explore the answers that can bring you clarity and peace without judgment, and with someone who truly understands what it’s like to feel lost.
My Approach to Therapy and Healing
Honest
I bring openness, transparency, and genuine compassion to therapy, creating a trusting space where honesty empowers you to face challenges with confidence.
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I show up to sessions as myself, and my hope is that you’ll feel like you can do the same. Being an honest therapist means communicating with openness, transparency, and integrity throughout the therapeutic relationship. It involves sharing genuine feedback, setting clear expectations, and acknowledging when you don’t have all the answers. An honest therapist is straightforward yet compassionate, offering truthful insights while respecting the client’s feelings and pace. This honesty helps build trust, fosters authentic connection, and empowers clients to face their challenges realistically and confidently.
Trustworthy
Being a trustworthy therapist means creating a safe, reliable, and supportive space where clients feel comfortable sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or betrayal.
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When you work with me, you’re getting an actual human across from you. Being a trustworthy therapist means creating a safe, reliable, and supportive space where clients feel comfortable sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or betrayal. It involves maintaining confidentiality, being honest and transparent, showing empathy and respect, and consistently following through on commitments. A trustworthy therapist builds a genuine connection based on integrity and care, helping clients feel understood and supported throughout their healing journey.
Introspective
Therapy with me is a deeply introspective process where you explore your inner thoughts and feelings to gain greater self-awareness and understanding.
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As the founder of Kuhl Mental Health and a licensed therapist, I’m here to support people who are ready for change, even when it feels uncomfortable. I believe growth happens when we lean into the hard stuff, not away from it. Therapy with me isn’t about quick fixes or band-aid solutions. It’s about genuine connection, open and honest conversations, and growing the emotional resilience to face life’s challenges head-on. I’m all in—because if we’re going to do this work, let’s make it authentic, impactful, and maybe even a little life-changing.
Individualized
Therapy with me is personalized to your unique story, creating a safe space where you can be real-even if that "real" is messy or uncertain.
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Finding the right therapist can feel a lot like dating – you're looking for someone who just gets you. Someone you can trust and won't give you fluff, but will sit with you in the hard stuff and help you move through it with clarity, compassion, and maybe even a little humor. I believe therapy is one of the few places where you can laugh, cry, throw a little tantrum, or do whatever feels right. It’s a space that’s fully yours, where you don’t have to shrink, filter, or pretend, and my goal is to create an environment where you feel safe enough to be real—even if that “real” is messy or uncertain. Healing isn’t always linear or pretty, but you don’t have to figure it all out before you walk through the door.
I'm a wife, friend, daughter, dog mom, devoted Court TV fan, and a lover of the desert. In my free time, you'll often find me exploring new workout classes and restaurants, going to concerts, watching Bravo, or cheering on the Phoenix Suns.
I feel incredibly grateful to serve as a therapist-a role that allows me to share the insights and tools l've gathered and lived by, ones that actually make a difference. I've always been a listener, observer, and trusted confidant for as long as I can remember.
My journey with anxiety began post-college when I started juggling multiple schedules and expectations. Looking back, l know that finding the right therapist at the right moment changed the course of my life. Therapy gave me a kind of peace I didn't even know was possible-and my hope is to help you discover that same sense of peace for yourself.
how I got here
EDUCATION
I hold a Master of Social Work from Aurora University and a Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech. I am a licensed therapist (LCSW-20470, State of Arizona) committed to supporting my clients with skill and compassion. Beyond my formal education, I bring something equally important to my work: lived experience. I understand firsthand how transformative this work can be because it has profoundly impacted my own life.
