Marita Asedillo is a Counseling Intern pursuing her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at George Washington University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Coaching Education from James Madison University. She has experience providing individual therapy to college-aged individuals and adults, as well as working with children and adolescents of all ages and abilities across a variety of settings, including acute residential treatment centers, and Applied Behavioral Analysis. Marita also has experience as a Multiple Disabilities Elementary School Teacher in Fairfax County. Her diverse experiences have allowed her to develop a strong understanding of the ways that relationships, life experiences, and personal environments can impact an individual’s emotional well-being and sense of self. Marita is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines and is fluent in Tagalog/Filipino. Her cultural background and experiences have shaped her understanding of the importance of identity, family, culture, and belonging in an individual’s mental health journey. 

Marita believes that therapy is a collaborative and supportive space where clients can better understand themselves, explore experiences that have shaped them, and develop a deeper sense of agency in their lives. She is particularly interested in helping clients recognize patterns in their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and behaviors, while also exploring how past experiences may continue to influence the way they see themselves and interact with others. She also believes that people are not defined by their struggles or by the challenges they have experienced. Instead, therapy can provide an opportunity for clients to step back from the stories they have developed about themselves, examine whether those stories still fit who they are, and begin creating a more meaningful and authentic understanding of their lives. Marita strives to meet each client with curiosity, empathy, and without judgment. She recognizes that every person brings their own unique experiences, values, relationships, and understanding of the world into therapy. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel heard and understood while empowering them to make sense of their experiences, recognize their strengths, and move toward the person they want to become.

Outside of the therapy space, Marita has been coaching youth soccer for the past four years, loves to play pickleball with her family and friends, and is a Noah Kahan fanatic.