About Dr. Marisa Perera, PhD

Clinical Psychologist for People in Florida & Michigan

Family building journeys can be exciting AND overwhelming, lonely, and filled with moments where you feel like you just can’t win.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

The stress of trying to figure out when to start trying to build a family, actually trying to conceive, a high-risk pregnancy, being pregnant during the pandemic, parenting while trying to advance my career, and trying to keep the household together has been no picnic in the park during my own family building journey.

And I had years of specialty training in reproductive and perinatal mental health before any of that!

Maybe you can relate. In my work as a reproductive psychologist, I’ve learned that this experience is more the norm than not. You’re not alone.

I believe family building is a very personal journey. I also believe every person deserves a safe, inclusive, judgment-free space while navigating their journey. I founded Natal Counseling out of a desire to cultivate this kind of space for you.

I care deeply about supporting people through all phases of their reproductive lives from menarche to menopause and am most passionate about supporting people in their family building journeys.

How my passion developed

As a young student, I became confused and alarmed by how much of our understanding about health has not considered the bodies or burdens of people with female reproductive organs or of minority identities.

My passion for supporting people in these groups only grew with time.  

I sought out specialized training and became one of the few reproductive psychologists in the country.

My personal family building journey only made my passion for this work grow deeper.

What it’s like to work with me

Wherever you are at with your family building journey, I offer you a judgment-free, inclusive space to help you navigate the current moment while keeping your desired future in mind. 

While our work may start with addressing uncomfortable symptoms you are experiencing, I believe my work doesn’t stop there. I make it my mission to help you not only reduce symptoms but also to truly thrive during your family building journey.

You are the expert in yourself and I believe in a highly collaborative experience. Therapy with me is highly curated to you, your needs, and your wants. This could include:

  • Gaining a deeper understanding of the root causes of the problems you are facing to stop them from continuing

  • How to finally overcome anxieties

  • Guiding you to experience more meaningful relationships

  • Building a set of coping tools for difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that you can take with you for the rest of your life

  • Resetting your body’s baseline to a more grounded state

My approach is based in science, including affective neuroscience and attachment theory. The techniques I used are tailored to you and can include acceptance-commitment, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, dialectical, mindfulness-focused, and/or trauma-focused approaches.

I care deeply about cultural dynamics and work to be sensitive to any showing up in your life. As a woman of a minority culture myself, the intersections of my personal identities have greatly impacted my life and own family building journey.

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI

  • PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL

  • Chief Resident in Health Service Psychology at Bruce W. Carter Miami VA in Miami, FL where I helped start telehealth therapy services for pregnant people before the pandemic

  • Fellowship in Women’s Health at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL where I helped start fertility consultation and perinatal group therapy services

  • Prior to starting Natal Counseling, I worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, treating people coping with fertility stress, postpartum and parenting stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma

Credentials

With a background of 10+ years of psychology research (see my research profile here), it is my mission to offer you therapy techniques that are backed by science.

I am certified in the below science-based therapies and skills and continue to get certified so I can keep providing you with the most up-to-date, evidence-based therapy.

Certifications

Therapy that meets you where you are.

It is important for you to feel connected and safe with your therapist.

Schedule a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation with me to help you decide if I might be a good therapist for you!

If I am not, I will do my best to help you find someone who is.

Virtual therapy for people in Florida and Michigan.