Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. This week we’re introducing you to the lovely Glenview mom of 2 sweet children, seasoned therapist with a special focus on women’s mental health and founder of Gray Therapy Group, Marissa Gray, LCSW, PMH-C!
Marissa’s career journey in the mental health space began as school social worker in Chicago and director of a preschool, ultimately leading her to open her own practice after experiencing the transformative journey of motherhood. Marissa founded Gray Therapy Group in May 2023 to provide specialized support for women’s mental health, especially in perinatal and maternal care. When she’s not working, Marissa enjoys yoga, treats from Three Tarts Bakery, and coffee from Glenview Grind. Her dedication to her clients and her community is evident in her commitment to ongoing professional development and personal well-being. In Chicago North Shore Moms exclusive interview, Marissa reads incredibly relatable and sincere as she winds through the mental health struggles that moms often face. Welcome, Marissa Gray!
Hi Marissa! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi, I’m Marissa Gray, LCSW, PMH-C and owner of Gray Therapy Group, a private psychotherapy practice specializing in women’s mental health through individual and virtual therapy. Originally from the suburbs of Cincinnati, I now live in Glenview with my husband, two children ages 7 and 3, and our dog. Prior to becoming a therapist, I was a school social worker for Chicago elementary school students and then a preschool director at JCYS Wicker Park in its opening years.
After having my first child, I made one more professional shift into the world of private practice to do the relational work of a therapist. My family and I moved to the North Shore from Logan Square early on in the pandemic when I was pregnant with my second child, and after several years in a group practice, I opened the virtual doors of Gray Therapy Group in May 2023!
What are one or two fun or interesting facts to know about you?
Fun fact… I was a competitive figure skater when I was growing up, and coached figure skating throughout college!
Your mantra?
I am enough and perfection is not the goal.
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent?
Some of my favorite North Shore spots are: Glenview Grind, Three Tarts Bakery and Cafe in Northfield, Buck Russel’s in Wilmette, and Cafe Lucci in Glenview. I also love going to YogaSix in Glenview.
What gets you through a tough day?
When I’m having a tough day, I often lean on people (my husband, my friends, and my therapist), movement (especially restorative yoga or going for a walk), and comfort (rewatching my favorite tv shows or taking a bath).
Let’s get down to business! Please introduce your business, Gray Therapy Group.
Gray Therapy Group is the product of both my own readiness for professional growth as well as an ongoing need for more specialized support for women’s mental health. I opened up my practice in May 2023, and over the past year as a small business and private practice owner, I have prioritized not only high quality client work in women’s mental health, but also building my professional community with other therapists and practice owners.
Therapy can be a rather “on your own” job, and connecting with others, including other North Shore female therapists, has been an incredible part of Gray Therapy Group’s growth. I have also continued my therapeutic development with specific training in perinatal mental health, and recently become credentialed as a perinatal mental health provider (PMH-C). This milestone not only marked my first year in business, but also highlights Gray Therapy Group’s commitment to ongoing, evidenced-based support and interventions for the perinatal and maternal populations.
What modes of therapy do you use (talk, CBT, etc…)?
I integrate a few different modalities into my work with clients, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy. Additionally, and just as important as the specific approaches used, I believe that the relationship – the fit – between the therapist and the client is a critical component of change, progress and growth. Therapy should be the space where clients know that it is more than okay to talk about the things that are hard to talk about. To know that you will be met with what therapists call “unconditional positive regard” and radical empathy is at the core of both the what and the how of my approach as a therapist.
In your practice, you specialize in women’s mental health, particularly in areas like perinatal and maternal mental health. How do you approach therapy differently for women experiencing these unique challenges compared to other clients?
Even when drawing on therapeutic interventions to support the challenges and needs of the perinatal and maternal mental health clients, I strive, above all, to make sure that my clients feel understood and validated, without judgment, each and every time they enter the therapy space. I believe that psychoeducation about both perinatal and maternal mental health can help us to normalize, explore, and process what is happening during times of stress, grief, and/or change. Though it is not at all necessary to be a parent in order to work with parents, I have found so much meaning in being a mom who works with moms. This has been a huge driver for me in my continued training in working within the perinatal and maternal mental health fields.
What are one or two effective coping strategies or techniques you often recommend to your clients to manage their anxiety and stress levels?
Remind yourself that “thoughts are just thoughts” and try to bring your attention to what your body needs. Observe how you talk to and about yourself, especially in times of stress, and explore narratives that are more objective and allow for self-compassion.
Relationships can significantly impact mental health, and navigating challenging relationships can be particularly daunting. How does individual therapy assist women in understanding and setting healthy boundaries in their personal and professional relationships?
Individual therapy can help clients not only process the challenges faced in relationships, but can also be a way to recognize unhealthy patterns and identify more productive ways to cope to nurture relational change. Women I work with may be coming to therapy because the many years of people-pleasing behavior has taken a toll on personal well-being, or because relationships with significant others feel stuck or inequitable, or because family of origin and childhood experiences continue to impact someone’s sense of self. Therapy should provide a space to both process these relationships and explore ways to improve relational well-being, both for relationships with others and the relationship with yourself.
Pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood can bring about a range of emotional challenges for women. How do you support women through these transitions, especially if they are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety?
The first part of working with clients during pregnancy or postpartum, or those seeking support during experiences in parenthood, is to build emotional safety in the therapy space. In order to talk about perinatal disorders (including postpartum depression/anxiety/ocd/ptsd), clients need to know that it is okay to talk about the embarrassing, scary, confusing, or overwhelming thoughts and experiences. I integrate a combination of supports and interventions, including using assessment and screening tools, sharing psycho-education perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, identifying unmet needs and options/resources/referrals, noticing narratives about worthiness, exploring changes in roles and identity, and processing grief and loss.
Your practice also offers therapy specifically tailored for therapists, recognizing the importance of self-care and personal growth for mental health professionals. Can you elaborate on the benefits of therapists seeking therapy themselves, and how it ultimately impacts their professional practice and client care?
Therapists are humans first – individuals with their own histories, relationships, stressors, hopes, and goals. Being a client is a reminder that the professional role of “therapist” is just one part of a person, and all the other parts and roles that the individual holds need care and attention too. When therapists take the time to engage in their own therapy, they are prioritizing their own mental health and emotional well-being, which has far reaching personal and professional impacts. As a therapist who has a therapist, I find that doing “the work” while doing this work makes me a better person for my own personal relationships and my professional ones.
Do you offer virtual help?
Yes! All appointments take place as telehealth video sessions, with HIPAA-compliant links for each session. Sessions are typically scheduled weekly when getting started, and last around 50 minutes.
What about insurance?
I am in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and Blue Choice Preferred, as well as United Healthcare PPO. I can also provide clients who are using out-of-network benefits with superbills to submit for reimbursement.
And your contact details?
Visit www.graytherapygroup.com for more information about our services. You can reach out to me with any questions at [email protected]. I’m also on Instagram, @graytherapygroup
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSM Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
