THE CLINICIAN / ABOUT ME
Kristofer MarascoMSW, LICSW
Psychotherapist | Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Understanding the person.
Examining the patterns.
Creating meaningful change.
I approach psychotherapy with the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding ourselves, including how our patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving develop, what maintains them, and how they influence our relationships, decisions, and experiences.
Understanding, however, does not necessarily lead to change.
People can develop considerable insight into their experiences while continuing to struggle with familiar emotional responses, behavioral patterns, and internal conflicts. They may recognize what they are doing, understand why they are doing it, and still find themselves repeating it.
This distinction between knowing and doing is central to my work. I emphasize developing insight alongside the awareness, psychological flexibility, and practical skills necessary to translate understanding into intentional action.
01 / EXPERIENCE
My Clinical Background
I earned my Master of Social Work from Rhode Island College in 2018 and am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing psychotherapy in Rhode Island.
My professional experience includes outpatient psychotherapy, inpatient psychiatric care at Rhode Island Hospital, and psychiatric emergency assessment at Butler Hospital. These settings have provided experience working with individuals across a broad range of psychological difficulties, levels of distress, and life circumstances.
This clinical experience has reinforced the importance of understanding individuals within the broader context of their histories, relationships, environments, values, and personal experiences. Symptoms and diagnoses provide useful clinical information, but they do not fully capture the complexity of the person experiencing them.
I believe effective psychotherapy requires recognizing that complexity and approaching treatment accordingly.
02 / THE APPROACH
My Clinical Approach
A humanistic foundation. An integrative approach.
My clinical philosophy is grounded primarily in humanistic and existential psychotherapy, with an emphasis on authenticity, self-awareness, personal responsibility, and the relationship between an individual's values and actions.
I integrate principles and interventions from several theoretical orientations, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
I do not adhere rigidly to a single therapeutic model. Instead, I draw upon these approaches to develop an individualized process informed by each client's experiences, needs, and goals.
An important part of my work involves developing original psychoeducational materials, conceptual frameworks, and structured exercises. These resources address subjects such as ADHD, impulsivity, rumination, emotional regulation, interpersonal communication, and values-aligned behavior.
I develop these materials to clarify complex psychological processes, provide structure for examining persistent patterns, and help clients apply what they learn outside our sessions.
03 / WORKING TOGETHER
What Working With Me Is Like
Collaborative, engaged, and willing to examine difficult questions.
My therapeutic style is active, collaborative, and direct.
I do not see my role as simply listening, offering reassurance, or agreeing with a client's interpretations. Empathy, validation, and a strong therapeutic relationship are essential, but meaningful psychotherapy also requires a willingness to question assumptions, identify contradictions, and examine patterns that may contribute to ongoing difficulties.
This process is grounded in curiosity, respect, and a shared commitment to understanding what is occurring. Challenging an interpretation or examining a difficult subject should serve a therapeutic purpose.
I encourage clients to consider the relationship between their intentions and actions, their interpretations and observable evidence, and their values and everyday choices.
The therapeutic relationship is a collaborative process. I contribute clinical knowledge, perspective, curiosity, and a willingness to engage with difficult material. Clients bring their lived experiences, personal understanding, priorities, and the authority to determine what meaningful change looks like in their lives.
I believe compassion and accountability are complementary, and both are essential to meaningful psychological growth.
My goal is to help clients develop greater insight into themselves, recognize opportunities to respond differently, and navigate their lives with increased awareness and intention.
04 / GETTING STARTED
Getting Started
Finding a therapist involves considering both clinical expertise and interpersonal compatibility. Understanding how a therapist approaches treatment can help you determine whether their style aligns with your needs and expectations.
If my approach resonates with what you are looking for, I encourage you to explore my clinical philosophy and current appointment availability.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Professional Affiliations
East Coast Mental WellnessI am an affiliated psychotherapist with East Coast Mental Wellness (ECMW) in Providence, Rhode Island. ECMW is recognized as an LGBTQ+ Safe Zone through Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI).
As an affiliated clinician, I am required to complete annual continuing education to maintain my affiliation. My graduate education included focused coursework on LGBTQ+ populations, complemented by clinical experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals. My approach emphasizes individualized, affirming care that respects each person's experiences, identity, and values.