Some paths are straight and well-lit from the start. Others, like Marisha Krupkin’s, are winding, uncertain, and require sheer determination to carve a way forward. Her story is not just one of professional success—it is a testament to the power of resilience, the pursuit of purpose, and the ability to transform life’s challenges into stepping stones.
The Road to Self-Discovery
Marisha did not enter the world of psychology and social work in the conventional way. She started college at the expected age but soon realized that she lacked direction. Without a clear vision, she stepped away, believing she could return when ready. Life, however, had other plans. Re-entering academia proved far more difficult than she imagined. She found herself navigating the complexities of marriage, motherhood, and personal reinvention, all while holding onto the quiet but persistent dream of making a difference in people’s lives.
With a three-year-old daughter in tow, she made a bold decision: she moved to New York City, determined to reshape her future. When her daughter was six, Marisha returned to school—this time, with an unshakable sense of purpose. But the journey was anything but easy. Balancing work, parenting, and academics, she took one course per semester, a painstaking process that stretched over 13 years. By the time she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Hunter College, she had already defied the odds. Yet, she knew she wasn’t done.
The Relentless Pursuit of a Dream
Marisha’s ambition did not waver. Recognizing that a Master of Social Work (MSW) was the most practical path to clinical practice, she enrolled in NYU’s clinical program—this time, as a working mother. Completing graduate school part-time over four years, she structured her life with military precision: four days a week, she worked 10-hour shifts, and on her one free day, she saw patients and clients, laying the foundation for the career she had spent years fighting for.
To ensure she entered private practice with the depth of training she desired, Marisha pursued postgraduate education in psychoanalytic self-psychology. The philosophy resonated deeply with her—centering on the development of a cohesive self and the healing power of relationships. It was more than just theory; it was a way of understanding human resilience, a principle that mirrored her own journey.
Healing Through Connection
For Marisha, therapy is not a profession—it is a calling. She built her practice on the belief that psychological change happens through authentic, meaningful relationships. She has spent more than two decades helping individuals heal, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each person she encounters. From cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she integrates multiple modalities with a singular goal: to help people align their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with their deepest values.
Her career began with two formative internships—one working with people living with AIDS who had experienced homelessness, and another at the Washington Square Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. These experiences reaffirmed what she already knew: she was exactly where she was meant to be.
The Power of Transformation
Seven years ago, Marisha took another leap of faith, leaving New York City for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Building a practice in an unfamiliar place posed a new challenge—one of professional isolation in a loosely connected therapy community. But just as she had done time and again, she adapted.
When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, telehealth expanded her reach beyond anything she had imagined. Today, she continues to see patients in both New York and Massachusetts, proving that the limitations we perceive are often just opportunities waiting to be reimagined.
Marisha and the SWEET Institute
Marisha’s journey with the SWEET Institute has been a deeply enriching and transformative experience. She describes it as more than just a source of continuing education—it has become a vital professional community that provides intellectual stimulation, emotional support, and a shared sense of purpose. Living in Cape Cod, where the therapy community is less structured, she has found SWEET Institute’s approach to be a lifeline, offering not only cutting-edge knowledge but also a space for meaningful professional connections. Through SWEET, she has deepened her understanding of various therapeutic modalities, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and has refined her ability to integrate multiple approaches tailored to each individual’s needs. She values the Institute’s emphasis on fostering insight, personal growth, and the art of truly being the clients. For Marisha, SWEET is not just an educational platform—it is a place where she continues to evolve, both as a clinician and as a person, always striving to bring the best to those she serves.
A Legacy of Impact
Marisha’s career has been marked by profound moments—none more so than watching one of her very first patients go on to become a therapist. To her, therapy is not just about treating symptoms; it is about awakening the potential in others, guiding them toward lives of meaning and fulfillment.
What drives her is not just the science of therapy, but the art of asking the right questions—the ones that spark insight, the ones that shift perspectives, the ones that make a person pause and say, “That’s a really good question.”
Marisha Krupkin’s journey is proof that the road to purpose is rarely linear. It is unpredictable, demanding, and at times, seemingly impossible. But for those willing to persist, to adapt, and to embrace the process, the destination is worth every step.
Her story is not just about becoming a therapist. It is about becoming the person she was always meant to be.
Marisha Krupkin, LCSW is a private practice practitioner who provides treatment to adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and adjustment issues revolving around relationships, family, work-related matters, and life transitions. She works with adults who are motivated to explore their personal growth, development, and identity. The areas of exploration include, but are not limited to, relationship conflicts; professional choices; parent-child relationships; counseling for those who were addicted but are in remission; eating disorders; trauma, and grief. Treatment modalities are tailored to meet the needs of each patient and include psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral modalities. Emphasis is placed on the relational aspect as a source of strength in the healing process.
Ms. Krupkin spends her leisure time with family and friends, being a student of the harp (which she began in her adulthood), photography, cooking and travel.