Licensed to practice in Virginia and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Trauma and PTSD, Depression, Life Transitions and 7 more.

Carissa Martin

(she/her)

LPC, 11 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

Life can feel overwhelming at times, and you don't have to navigate it alone. I believe healing begins in a space where you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My goal is to build a trusting, and collaborative relationship where you can be yourself while you explore challenges openly, and work toward the changes that matter most to you. I take a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, which means I meet you where you are and honor your unique experiences, strengths, and perspectives. I have experience working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use and addiction, relationship concerns, self-esteem challenges, and other life stressors. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I help clients develop practical tools for managing emotions, coping with stress, improving communication, and building healthier patterns in their lives. Together, we'll work to better understand your experiences, strengthen your resilience, and create meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you. Seeking support takes courage, and reaching out is often the first step toward healing. Whether you're feeling stuck, struggling to cope, or simply looking for a space to grow, I am here to walk alongside you on your journey. I look forward to meeting you and helping you create a life that feels more aligned with who you are and who you hope to become

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and I'll invite you to share what has brought you to therapy and what you'd like support with. There's no pressure to tell your entire story right away or discuss anything you're not ready to talk about. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My approach is warm and collaborative. While I strive to create a space where you feel supported and understood, therapy is also a place for growth. At times, I may gently challenge unhelpful patterns, beliefs, or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to provide guidance, support, and practical tools to help you navigate challenges and work toward your goals. I'll spend time learning about your experiences, strengths, relationships, and the areas of your life that feel most important to you. We'll also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy and begin identifying goals that feel meaningful and achievable. Depending on your needs, I may introduce coping skills, strategies, or techniques that can help you manage difficult situations in your daily life. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you as you take this important step!

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Clients often tell me they appreciate my warm, down-to-earth style. I believe therapy doesn't have to feel stiff or intimidating. While we make space for difficult emotions and experiences, I also believe healing can include moments of humor, connection, and relatability. Sometimes a little laughter can help us gain perspective and remind us that growth doesn't always have to feel heavy. With that being said, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Therapy is not about fitting you into a specific model or style; it's about finding what works best for you. I tailor our work together to meet your individual needs, drawing from evidence-based approaches as well as life experiences, and adapting along the way as your goals evolve.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My clients aren't the ones who have it all together, they're the ones who are willing to be real. Whether you are navigating difficult relationships, work or life transitions of any kind, or are just needing space to explore different versions of yourself, I will meet you right where you are. It doesn't matter if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, as long as you are open to exploring what's getting in the way of the life you want.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

ADHD

Addiction

Anger Management

Anxiety

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

Because therapy is not one-size-fits-all, I also incorporate techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) when appropriate. ACT helps clients build psychological flexibility by learning to make room for difficult emotions, become less entangled with unhelpful thoughts, and take actions that align with their values and goals.

Trauma Informed Care

A trauma-informed approach in therapy means I prioritize safety, trust, and collaboration in our work together. I am sensitive to how past experiences may show up in the present and I move at a pace that feels respectful and manageable for you

Biofeedback

I incorporate biofeedback techniques to support mind-body awareness. This can help you notice how stress shows up physically and develop skills to regulate your nervous system in real time

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I often draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT provides practical, skill-based tools for identifying unhelpful patterns and developing more balanced ways of thinking and responding. I

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills-based tools for navigating intense emotions, coping with distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. I use DBT in a flexible, individualized way to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen relationships

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.