Marissa Kistner, M.Ed., LPC

02/23/2026

02/06/2026

I'm so excited to share that I am now a fully licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri ❤🧠

I get to drop the "P" for provisional that I've proudly carried the past 3.5 years as a PLPC. Now I can start my own LLC and start accepting insurance soon!

There is so much to be grateful for! Thank you to my supervisor who gave so much of her time and to everyone else who supported me along the way too. God is so good.

12/05/2025

09/25/2025

09/19/2025

**🌿 Understanding Our Kids: It’s Not About Choice 🌿**

Sometimes, we think our children are choosing to behave in challenging ways, but often, it’s not a choice at all. Kids don’t always have the skills to manage their big feelings, control impulses, or communicate their needs calmly. 💭

When they act out, it’s usually a signal that they're overwhelmed, frustrated, or simply lack the tools they need to cope. Gentle parenting recognizes that children aren't “choosing” to misbehave — they’re responding in the only ways they know how. 🧠💫

Instead of seeing these moments as defiance, we can view them as opportunities to teach and guide. By modeling patience and compassion, we help them build the skills they need to regulate their emotions and make better choices in the future.

So, the next time behavior feels challenging, let’s ask ourselves: “What does my child need to learn here?” rather than “Why are they acting like this?” 🤍

More information in my book
📖 Guidance from The Therapist Parent
Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon

09/09/2025

🍂📖🧠 My Fall Workshop Series for parents/families/teachers starts this October 1st! Limited spots available... The summer edition went so well, I wanted to offer it again!

🗓 7 Wednesday Sessions at 12:00pm, see dates & details in the flyer 👀

🖥Register on the client portal by Sept. 22nd:
https://share.google/XqluJ04CJRRyFT7MF

📞Contact the CCC office here with any questions: (636) 442-2612
https://www.christiancounselingconnection.com/contact-us

📒You can get your copy of the book for about $10 on Amazon or anywhere else.
https://a.co/d/ecyCLIV

The address is in the flyer & we're on the TOP FLOOR. I can't wait to see you there! 🤗

08/08/2025

🌞🍩☕This is a wonderful idea!🥰 Practicing big schedule/routine changes a while before the first day can really help ease into the transition and decrease the pressures. 💬And the conversational piece, talking through hopes and worries ahead is great too! ❤

P.S. You don't have to actually go anywhere if that doesn't fit with your own current work schedule. 🌞Simply practicing the morning routine and what it will be like for everyone involved, to have the kiddos up and ready for the day sonner, while you are still getting ready for your day, also helps! ⭐Maybe try the conversational piece in the evening over dinner, or bath, or bedtime if the morning is a rush before you leave for work 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16k9vfk7dR/

So for the last 11 years, I’ve been doing “practice donuts” with my kids the week before school starts. What started as a fun little reason to get a fancy coffee when my daughter was a baby, has become like a national holiday in our house.

We wake up early and do a practice morning getting ready for school.

Then we drive to get donuts and coffee and take it to their school playground.

We eat together and talk about what the kids are most excited for and most nervous about the school year.

Then they play on the playground and I try not to tear up thinking about how big they are compared to last year.

Honestly, I’m hoping they will do “practice donuts” with me until they graduate high school. I’d call that a “mom win.” And who knows? Maybe someday they will carry on our back to school tradition with their own kids.