LMFT, 5 years of experience
Are you the one everyone turns to, the "therapist friend" or "mom" of the group, always putting others first, even when it leaves you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Do you find yourself carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, feeling resentful that you don't receive the same support you so freely give? You are not alone. It's easy to feel isolated and unheard when you're constantly prioritizing others' needs. Your feelings matter too, and you deserve to have your needs met. We'll work together to silence that inner critic and develop coping strategies that are tailored to your unique needs.
In our first session, the focus is for us to connect and get to know one another because fit is important! I will discuss the therapy process and expectations. We will then spend time discussing your current concerns and what brought you to therapy at this time. Our first session together helps me to learn more about you and your unique story as we take the first step towards your mental health goals.
My goal is to create a safe space where clients feel seen and heard. I am dedicated to fostering empowerment, resilience, laughter, and transformation through an authentic connection with each client.
Together, we can challenge the beliefs that are holding you back and create lasting, positive change. We'll work on establishing healthy boundaries, building your self-esteem, and finding your voice so you can communicate your needs clearly and confidently. You deserve a life filled with joy, balance, and self-love. Let's embark on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment together. I can't wait to connect with you and help you move towards greater well-being.
Through downward arrow technique we identify the maladaptive thoughts. We facilitate a strength based approach to increase the self esteem of the client so that they are able to effectively challenge their negative thoughts and cog reframe to a more neutral thought instead thus impacting their emotions and their behaviors as well.
I work with clients to explore their problem story and as they progress through externalization of the problem, we facilitate a strength-based approach to redefine what's possible in their own narrative. Through a cultural lens, I am curious about the clients' identity (and worldview) and if their cultural background has any influence at all on their self-worth and/or the relationships that they maintain or seek to establish.
I use motivational interviewing to explore where the client is currently at in the stage of change. This information informs the motivational interviewing techniques that are used in session (i.e., OARS, etc.) to assist the client in meeting their therapeutic goal.
I am passionate about providing space for clients' to be able to explore their emotions and feel heard. It is essential to allow clients a space where they can be heard, their feelings normalized, and validated to start the healing process.
I first inquire if the client has an strong imagination and if they are open to meditating before I suggest it as an intervention. In the event that they are, I often teach client's the principles of the mindfulness as a lifestyle and am open to facilitating guided meditations during session inculdign imagery meditation, muscle progression, etc.
4 ratings with written reviews
June 17, 2025
Carissa has been so great to work with this year. She is very understanding and open to her clients. She makes you feel welcomed and understood. I have learned a lot of great coping mechanisms that I will continue to use in my journey of life. She uses humor and is very relatable as well. I feel more prepared to take on any challenges that come up. I appreciate her so much and cannot recommend her enough!
April 28, 2025
Carissa is the BEST! Not only is she talented in using complex therapeutic strategies that empower me as a client but she does this with the expertise of a surgeon knowing how to move through delicate areas without causing pain or rupture. She does ALL of this with the utmost care and compassion. I look forward to our sessions! She brings sunshine and deep belly laughs making the hardest days brighter. I am so grateful to have her in my life and supporting me through life’s journeys.
March 12, 2025
She has been such a great help to me. She is very funny, helpful and understanding. I always feel very refreshed after our sessions!