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Marissa Gilbert

Friedman Gilbert Therapy

LCSW, MS

Currently accepting new clients. 

Telehealth Availability:

late afternoon/early evening, and Saturday availability

In-Person Availability:

11701 Bee Cave Road, Suite 218, Austin, TX 78738 - late afternoon, early evening, and Saturday availability

Clients I Work With

I help high-functioning people who feel anxious, stuck, or exhausted inside—overthinking, overdoing, shutting down, or looping in self-criticism. Many clients carry trauma patterns, relationship stress, parenting pressure, or the emotional impact of medical experiences (including cancer/chronic illness). You might have insight, but still feel like your body runs the same stress responses. In our work, we build recovery capacity and agency under stress: noticing what’s happening in real time, interrupting patterns earlier, and returning to a steadier state more quickly. When it fits, EMDR helps “stuck” memories and beliefs feel less present so you can move forward with more ease and choice.

Approach

Sessions with me are calm, collaborative, and practical. We focus less on perfect storytelling and more on what’s happening in your body, emotions, and thoughts in the moment—so change isn’t just insight. I use a nervous-system-informed approach: we slow down when things are intense, build a few repeatable tools, and track progress in simple ways (like how activated you feel at the start vs. end of the session). When appropriate, I use EMDR to help painful memories and core beliefs update so they don’t keep showing up as “right now.” You can expect warmth, directness, gentle challenge, and a pace that is effective without overwhelming you.

Beliefs & Lived Experience

I value therapy that is practical, human, and respectful of what your nervous system has done to survive. I don’t believe you have to “try harder” to heal—often the issue isn’t motivation, it’s protective patterns that run automatically under stress. I show up with warmth and directness: we’ll name what’s true, slow down when needed, and focus on small steps that build real change over time. I also bring lived experience as a cancer survivor, which shapes how I support clients facing medical uncertainty—without forced positivity and without catastrophizing. My goal is that you feel understood, not judged, and leave with more choice and steadiness in daily life.

More About My Practice

I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions, with scheduling that’s flexible and not one-size-fits-all. Some clients meet weekly for a season, others meet monthly, and some schedule periodic check-ins every few months—depending on needs, capacity, and goals. I also offer half-day intensives when it’s clinically appropriate, and a focused format would be more helpful than weekly sessions. Appointment availability includes Saturday mornings and a limited number of weekday early evening times to better accommodate work schedules and life logistics. We’ll collaborate on a cadence that feels sustainable and supportive, rather than forcing a single “ideal” schedule.

Additional Credentials & Training

EMDRIA Certified, IFS Trained

Ages Served

Adults (18+)
Older Adults (65+)
Young Adults (18-25)

Services Provided

Couples Therapy
Group Therapy
Individual Therapy
Legal Documentation

Specialized Experience

Entrepreneurs & Executives
First Responders & Medical Professionals
Neurodiversity-affirming

Gender Identity

Woman

Specializations

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Attachment-Based
Brainspotting
Buddhist Psychology
EMDR
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
NeuroAffective Relationship Model (NARM)
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Polyvagal Informed Therapy

Specialties

Addiction
ADHD
Burnout
Cancer
Career Counseling
Caregiver Support
Chronic Pain and Illness
Codependency
Menopause & Perimenopause
Perfectionism
Self Esteem

Insurance and Payment

Payment Accepted

Credit
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Out of Network (Superbills Provided)
Sliding Scale

Session Fees

$160

Insurance Notes

I am in network with Aetna and BCBS in Texas and BCBS in Virginia. I provide superbills for out of network coverage.

Insurance Accepted

Aetna
Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

State Licensed In

Texas
Virginia