Marisa Padilla

Marisa is the Founder of Illuminated Life Therapy and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in San Diego, California. She provides in-person and telehealth therapy to Millennial and Gen Z adults who are navigating anxiety, low self-esteem, and trauma — particularly as these challenges relate to relationships and attachment.

With nearly a decade of clinical experience spanning outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospitals, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, and community outreach, Marisa brings depth and range to her practice. She specializes in working with individuals who face emotional challenges surrounding new relationships, dating, marriage, separation, boundary setting, people pleasing, and breaking unhelpful relational cycles.

Marisa is a dedicated Black and Latina therapist committed to providing inclusive, culturally competent, and affirming care to individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities. She has significant experience working with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities and prioritizes creating a safe and welcoming therapeutic space.

Her therapeutic approach is gentle, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive — blended with humor and creativity — allowing space to safely explore emotions, feel encouraged, and develop new insights. She is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

With a background in competitive sports and collegiate athletics, Marisa values the connection between movement and mental health, and when clinically appropriate, enjoys exploring this relationship with clients. She is also active in her professional community, serving as a San Diego CAMFT Board Member and Therapist of Color Group Facilitator.