GSEP Spotlight: Marissa Price (MA in Clinical Psychology '25)

The GSEP Spotlight series highlights students and alumni whose journeys reflect Purpose, Service, and Leadership in action. In this spotlight, we feature Marissa Price, a current student in the MA in Clinical Psychology program with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, who brings a rich and varied background to her work in mental health.

Before pursuing graduate studies at Pepperdine, Marissa wore many hats—working in sales, the corporate and entertainment industries, and as a Pilates instructor. But the role that shaped her most deeply has been that of a mother. Across all these experiences, one thread remained consistent: a passion for personal connection and a desire to support others in meaningful ways.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marissa began working at the Pepperdine Student Health Center as an administrative assistant and was promoted a year later to Patient Care and Outreach Coordinator. In this role, she helped promote student well-being through health education and outreach events—an experience that deepened her interest in mental health. “Making a connection with students and helping them forge a path for their well-being has been extremely satisfying,” she shares.

With encouragement from her Pepperdine colleagues, Marissa enrolled in the MA in Clinical Psychology MFT program and is now completing her practicum at the Pepperdine Telehealth Community Counseling Clinic. “I knew from the start that joining the clinic would be a wonderful opportunity,” she says. “The supervision I’ve received has been amazing, and the support from Dr. Anat Cohen and LauraLee Townsend has made all the difference.”

At the clinic, Marissa works with clients who may not otherwise have access to therapy. Because the clinic offers sliding-scale, low-fee therapy, it serves individuals and families in the surrounding community who need support the most. “I feel blessed to be part of a clinic that provides affordable and compassionate care,” she says.

As she looks ahead to graduation in December 2025, Marissa continues to embrace every opportunity to grow as a clinician while giving back to the Pepperdine community. Her journey is a testament to the power of purpose, resilience, and lifelong learning.