Get to know me

Marissa Ebert is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) with over eight years’ experience, a Registered Yoga Teacher 200 (RYT-200), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained, domestic violence certified, and an adjunct professor at Rockford University where she teaches Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Marissa has experience and training working with first responders, including but not limited to, police officers, fire fighters, dispatchers, correctional officers, EMT and paramedics, nurses, and doctors. Additionally, she has extensive training in treating trauma with EMDR, an evidenced-based trauma therapy. Marissa utilizes various therapeutic approaches to meet the individualized needs of her clients, and has treated anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss, adjustment disorders, chronic illnesses, and more. 

Marissa always knew she wanted to be in the helping profession, since being raised by a police officer and 911 Division Administrator. It wasn’t until before graduation from Rockford University in 2011 with a degree in psychology that she realized her calling was mental health counseling, thanks to her professor, now colleague, Dr. Joel Lynch. Marissa obtained her Master’s of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Illinois University, a CACREP accredited 3-year program. She started her career working with clients of all ages and recently made the decision to focus on adolescents and adults. In 2019, Marissa started her yoga business, Alt Yoga, with the purpose of bringing a new, unique style of yoga to the community. In 2021, Marissa and her business partner, Michelle Petty, opened Alternative Wellness Therapies, with the intent on bringing a variety of professional services of all types to the community.

Alt Yoga now has a spacious studio located inside of Alternative Wellness Therapies, with five teachers offering different classes. Marissa is passionate about helping in the community and has partnered with organizations like the Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation (TCMF), to offer her experience as a mental health professional and yoga instructor. She has done workshops and trainings for people of all ages and professions, including first responders, students from elementary to high school, non-profit employees, teachers, and yoga teachers in training, just to name a few. Marissa has been featured on the news multiple times for her community involvement and unique yoga events and is so thankful to have developed a yoga following!

Marissa enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, family, friends, and dogs. She and her husband are self-proclaimed nerds and enjoy going to comic cons and cosplaying. She has extensive knowledge on pop culture and nerd culture! She has a deep understanding regarding the complications of chronic illness, as she lives with two autoimmune diseases, Celiac and Hashimoto’s Disease. Marissa has two dogs, Appa (Australian Shepherd) and Asta (Golden Retriever). Asta is a therapy dog in training and has been joining her sessions for the past eight months. Marissa enjoys having fun and making memories with her family and friends. She is thankful for the opportunity to bring alternative therapies to the community!