We recently had the chance to connect with Marissa Witter and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Marissa, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I would say in my business the universe has always aligned me with opportunities that lead me exactly to where I was supposed to be but previously would have never imagined. In October 2023, I was contacted by a local non- profit organization to be their trauma therapist for survivors of Human Trafficking. When I first received, the call I was afraid because the world makes Human Trafficking seem like a dark, scary crime of some underworld. I met with the team and quickly realized this population was made of resilient, courageous, and inspiring people that I would have the honor of being in their presence and getting to walk along side in their healing journey. Fast forward to July 2025, the funding for the program was cut and that division of the program was dismantled. Leaving countless survivors without the resources they so desperately needed to continue rebuilding their lives from mental health counseling, dental services, housing access, to education, and more. If I am being honest, I learned more from these survivors than they learned from me and I decided in July that I was going to turn Human Trafficking support into a passion project of For the Love of You. I am thankful for the survivors that shared their stories with me and allowed me into one of the darkest part of their lives and I vow to continue to search for support so those interested in continuing mental health services with me have an affordable, practical, and confidential option to do so.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For the Love of You is a compassionate and non-judgmental therapy practice for children (ages 6+), teenagers, and young adults. We focus on fostering resilience, self-love, and positive growth through providing empathetic and personalized mental health care. We specialize in addressing various concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, anger, low self-esteem, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, school and peer issues, family conflict, LGBTQIA+ affirming support, Human Trafficking, and racial identity and cultural stressors. At For the Love of You our team aims to make mental health care accessible and remove the stigma surrounding therapy. Marissa Witter, owner and therapist, serves the community she lives in so she is vested in mental health of those she serves.
We are working on adding additional skill-based group therapy sessions focused on destigmatizing mental health, covering tailored topics in a supportive environment, and fostering peer connection, coping strategies, and personal growth. Along with finding ways to serve those impacted by Human Trafficking who are interested in mental health services.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom is not just a mother figure for me she is a role model, a best friend, a confidant, a cheerleader, and so much more. She worked full time as a nurse until she retired and I saw her always showing up for patients, her colleagues, and her family day in and day out. My mom showed me that with hard work and dedication there is a life where you can have it all. She instilled in me that nothing is impossible if you dream it, create a plan and go after it. Life wasn’t always easy for us, but I knew no matter what I could count on her to show up. I think I bring that work ethic into my practice because running a business seems easy in theory but no one tells you about all that happens behind the scenes to make a business profitable and desirable to the public. Running a business means showing up even when you’re tired, sick, or just simply don’t feel like it. My mom always told me if you’re passionate about the work you do, it won’t feel like work. That is exactly what For the Love of You feels like to me, a refreshing day at the office where I get the honor to hold space for those in need.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
In therapy we often talk about “your support network.” As ironic as it may seem we therapist do not have it all figured out and we are navigating many of the same life challenges and struggles just as our clients are. I am fortunate in the fact that some of my closest friends are in the mental health field and those who aren’t are my unpaid therapist, they know who they are. I know I can call a handful of people in the middle of the day or at 2 am and they would show up for me and give me an honest perspective not just what I want to hear. For that, I am forever thankful because I know just how rare that is these days. I explain that to say, I do my best to run For the Love of You in that same way. When you come to the office for a session, I want you to feel like you’re sitting down with your best friend or confidant. I do my best to create a safe, judgement free, warm environment where you can feel seen, heard, and understood. With that being said I will hold you accountable even when it’s not pretty because that’s how you grow.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This question really speaks to me because my clients frequently mention that what they appreciate about working with me is that I am so down to earth. I regularly encounter clients who report they have been seen by other practitioners who they described as “stuffy” or “unrelatable.” When working with me they instantly feel from my diction that I somehow get them in ways they never felt before in a clinical setting. Showing up authentically is important to me as a human but also, for my brand. I want you to feel that you can trust me and feel assured that I am not working with you just for the money. I want you to know that your wins are my wins and far beyond our work together I will be your silent cheerleader. I support causes in public and in private that feel meaningful to me and I want to use my business as a platform to serve the underprivileged and give back. I have been so blessed in so many ways and I think it’s important to pay it forward whether or not others are watching.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story that I showed up for others, that I really cared and tried to make people feel seen and valued. That I took time to listen, even when I was busy, and that I made people laugh when they needed it most. I want them to remember that I wasn’t perfect, but I was present—that I listened, supported, and celebrated them. I’d want the story to be about kindness, respect, and consistency, not just achievements.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapyfortheloveofyou.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapyfortheloveofyou/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/for-the-love-of-you-land-o-lakes?osq=For+the+Love+of+You+-+Therapy+for+Teens+and+Young+Adults
- Other: https://guidetoflorida.com/land-o-lakes/health-medical/for-the-love-of-you-therapy
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/marissa-witter-land-o-lakes-fl/943326
https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/marissa-witter-land-o-lakes-fl
