Working at RISE a dream job for Clinician Marissa

For RISE clinician Marissa working in the Family Violence sphere and working at RISE is professionally where she wants to be.

Marissa completed her four-year degree in Social Work at Te Pukenga/NMIT in 2024 and now works four days a week at RISE.

At her request, Marissa completed her year 3 placement at RISE while studying, and this helped affirm that working in the family violence sphere was work she was passionate about, and also that RISE was an organisation she wanted to keep working with.

“I loved it,” she says of her placement. “I think that is in part due to the work – I love the work – but it is also due to the amazing team and management at RISE.”

Marissa was therefore thrilled when RISE offered her a part-time role while she studied. Working at RISE as a student really helped solidify what she was learning, she says.

“It is one thing being in class and learning all the theory but actually seeing it in practice was really helpful.”

Marissa now works across RISE’s various services, including both the adult safety group and non-violence group, she also works on an individual basis with clients of all genders and ages.

Working with people who use violence is something RISE Clinician Marissa is most passionate about.

If the community is serious about breaking the cycle of family violence Marissa believes we need to work with people who use violence, as well as those who experience it.

“It goes to that saying that hurt people hurt people,” she says. “Often, a lot of people that use violence have been a victim at some time themselves.

“It doesn’t excuse their behaviour, but it helps us understand it and tailor our support to meet their individual needs.”

Marissa really enjoys working with clients in a group setting and says group work can be a powerful vehicle to help people learn and change.

“For a lot of people, the group setting is potentially the first time they are able to fully open up and be raw, vulnerable and feel understood,” she says.

Hearing from others with similar stories validates people’s experiences and helps them realise it’s okay to feel the way they do, and it’s okay to make mistakes.

“We frequently hear from group members that it is a space where it is normalised to talk about feelings and what’s really going on. It’s always well received in the group and often the group culture is so positive members start supporting each other”

The positive changes she sees in clients from when they first arrive to when they leave is often remarkable, she says. “It’s really cool to see, and an honour to be a part of their journey.”

“It feels like a whānau and everyone is so supportive,” Marissa says of RISE. “It’s a workplace where everyone is really respectful, and willing to help. I think that is rare.”

While there are different theories that inform her work, she says the two that influence her most are the “strength based” and “systems theory”.

The strength-based system means finding each client’s strengths and working with those. It also involves tailoring the way she works with each client to meet their individual needs.

For example, a neuro divergent client sensitive to light might be more comfortable in a room with the lights off and curtains drawn.

“Little things like that can make a huge difference to someone’s experience.”

Systems theory examines external factors that may have determined or influenced the person and their behavior. People aren’t born a certain way, they are shaped and influenced by their environment and experiences.

Marissa not only enjoys working at RISE because of the work she gets to do. She enjoys working and learning from RISE’s experienced, knowledgeable and passionate staff.

“It feels like a whānau and everyone is so supportive. It’s a workplace where everyone is really respectful, and willing to help. I think that is rare.”

Marissa grew up in Nelson and loves living in the Nelson region and the beautiful places it has.

“Every morning, I drive around Rocks Rd to work and I tell my daughter how lucky we are to get to do this drive every morning.”