Marissa Renella, MT-BC (they/she)

I have been connecting with and supporting others through music for fourteen years, five of which were in a clinical inpatient mental health setting.

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My involvement in the local music therapy community spans the fields of legislative and equity advocacy, leadership roles within the WA state music therapy association, mentorship and supervision to music therapy students, and providing psych-focused therapeutic care to patients at Seattle Children's Hospital.

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I founded the integrated music therapy program model within SCH's Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit right before the start of the pandemic and declared national pediatric mental health crisis. My time was spent serving those youth in the WAMI region with the highest level of support needs. I collaborated and co-treated with many different providers within varying disciplines, including mental health therapists, medical doctors, psychiatrists, occupational and physical therapists, social workers, nurses and nurse practitioners, art therapists, and various other support staff.  I observed the vast overall disparities in youth mental health treatment and support, both inpatient and outpatient, specifically for our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth.

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I also witnessed the transformative process of youth finding comfort, stability, clarity, and strength through music during some of the most difficult and painful times in their lives.

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My transition to private practice music therapy is rooted in my dedication to increasing access and improving the efficacy of mental health treatment for folks living in their communities. The need for holistic, creative, expressive, and life-long ways to engage and ground oneself in music is vast and dire.

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I am currently in graduate school to become both a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Expressive Arts Therapist.

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My full CV and other information is available upon request.

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Certification Board for Music Therapists - Board Certification Number: 14090