Malissa received her Associates of Arts at Pierce College specializing in Psychology. From there, she pursued her Bachelors of Arts with an emphasis in Psychology from the University of Washington. She then moved quickly through positions at Sea Mar Tacoma Adult Inpatient Treatment Center starting off as a GLC III, Administrative Assistant, Admissions Coordinator, until she moved to her dream position as an SUDPT.

Malissa has been a Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee in Sea Mar Tacoma Adult Inpatient Treatment Center since February 11th, 2022. As a counselor, Malissa completes initial assessments upon admission for clients, individual sessions with her clients, and substance use education to adults. She utilizes motivational interviewing therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Working with a diversified population, underserved, high-risk individuals with a substance use disorder has been a passion of Malissa's for quite some time. Her career experience includes working with case management, assessments, treatment plans, bed placements and referrals to access medical, social-cultural, educational and other services.

Malissa's goal is to pursue her Master's Degree in Addiction Counseling at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Her main objective is to help her community become safer and healthier and to help individuals obtain a healthier lifestyle. It is Malissa's passion to help people by learning the most effective way to help each help each client individually by helping them set personalized goals.