Hi! I'm a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania, and I've been practicing for 4 years, specializing in OCD and anxiety-reated disorders. I believe that effective therapy includes an appropriate balance of empathy, humor, active listening, and empowerment. Through proper guidance rooted in evidence-based practices, I utilize an eclectic mix of therapeutic modalities to tailor treatment according to the specific needs of each individual. My treatment approach typically involves three phases: building insight and awareness around delineating between OCD-related intrusive thoughts and your own logical thought processes; developing skills to appropriately manage and dismiss intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges; and ultimately structuring effective, yet manageable, exposures to incrementally build distress tolerance and systematically desensitize to triggering experiences. While our work together will focus on addressing OCD and anxiety-related issues, I intend to utilize a holistic approach necessary in treating the whole person, which may include family work as well. My primary goal is to help clients realize happy, healthy, fulfilling lives by taking their freedom back from the binds of OCD and anxiety. I aim to work in a creative, collaborative environment while cultivating meaningful relationships with my clients. I find it extremely rewarding to help people who are struggling with OCD and anxiety, as progress is often consistent and evident. As they say – if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session will include an initial intake, which involves gathering information around your history and present concerns. This will help me get to know you and understand the challenges that you're facing, so that we can work together to develop a plan to reach your specific goals. We will address any questions you may have as well as review expectations for treatment moving forward.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having worked with the OCD and anxiety population for 4 years, I've developed a treatment approach that has proven effective for all clients struggling with intrusive thoughts and self-deprecating beliefs. Starting with a healthy amount of psychoeducation, aiming to build insight around how to recognize OCD, has been instrumental in helping clients learn to challenge their compulsions while managing their intrusive thoughts with confidence.
About Carissa Atkinson
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Most coping skills that I utilize in treatment are derived from ACT, as these strategies have consistently proven effective in helping clients learn to manage and dismiss intrusive thoughts, as well as challenge urges to engage in rituals stemming from anxiety and OCD.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposures are a necessary part of overcoming OCD; however, they are most effective when coupled with comprehension around the purpose of exposures and how they work to systematically desensitize to triggering experiences. Therefore, I focus heavily on first providing psychoeducation to build insight and create awareness around the functionality of OCD to ensure that my clients are able to fully engage in their treatment and feel empowered around challenging OCD appropriately.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize CBT strategies to help clients learn to differentiate between the extreme nature of OCD and their own logical thought processes. CBT assists in slowing down around a triggering situation and learning to challenge extreme, often catastrophic, thoughts by choosing an appropriate response through a more rational lens.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT strategies assist with emotional regulation, which can be quite difficult prior to building insight around what triggers OCD and anxiety. I utilize this modality to help clients become more mindful and observant of their emotional experiences, as this helps them to slow down and identify the connection between a triggering event and the thoughts and emotions that lead to the compulsive behaviors triggered by OCD.