Navigating through life can be difficult, and at times appear inconceivable. When the human condition propels us into the stressors of the world, it can feel like our lives are unraveling. While it is normal to experience intermittent levels of stress now and then, complicated stress can lead to dysfunction. It can create boundaries to growth and impact our relationships, occupations, and perspectives. Let’s not stay there. Together, we will reimagine what strength looks like. We will build on your attributes and intrinsic skills to create a safe space to explore what can be, what should be. I can help you find and nurture healthy perceptions of yourself so you may become complete, whole, and peaceful. My great passion is to bring healing to people who have been through a traumatic/stressful experience. I work with a variety of populations, including children and adolescents, adults and families, military affiliates, and older adults.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
You can expect our primary sessions to be informal and engaging; I want to know you as a person in a multidimensional way, thus, it is imperative you are as open as possible. You can expect this same transparency from me. Once we have completed this phase, the remainder of the primary session will involve dialogue surrounding those challenges/issues most important to you in which you would like support/treatment. You can expect my fair and open response relative to treatment expectations prior to exiting our primary session.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My academic background includes a doctorate degree in social work from Simmons University in Boston Massachusetts. In addition, I hold a bachelors and masters degree in clinical social work from The Florida State University in Tallahassee Florida. I specialize in trauma, including trauma-based concepts, theories, and clinical approaches. I am trained in eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which focuses on nervous system maladpatations. I understand the functional limitations that accompany PTSD and other related symptoms of trauma. If you seek relief from the pain of the past, I can help you heal. I look forward to working with you!
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Clients requesting EMDR and/or Christian counseling
About Dr. Clairissa Richardson
Identifies as
Serves ages
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
EMDR
I am trained in EMDR in accordance with EMDRIA. I utilize EMDR as a treatment modality with clients who suffer from emotional/behavioral issues stemming from identified, unresolved trauma. EMDR works by tapping into clients' unpleasant and disturbing memories through collaborative identification of sensory stimulation (sight, sound, hearing, etc) and rapidly processes the unpleasant portions of memories utilizing bilateral eye movement stimulation. EMDR can be understood to be a rapid, effective treatment for restructuring emotionally charged and frightening memories that serve to aid clients in finding relief, thereby improving relationships, sleep, emotional and behavioral issues, triggers, and flashbacks.
Christian Counseling
Developmental constructs denoting faith, spirituality, and religion all laid the foundation from which I aspire to practice. As a Christian, I believe in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Moreover, I believe that God, the father of Jesus Christ, supplanted Jesus with humanity to atone for the sins of the world; the resurrection of Jesus and subsequent biblical testimony is proof of God’s divinity. No one person is exempt from the love and acceptance of God. God calls us to pursue Him, thereby pursuing existential meaning. In practice, and with the permission of my clients, I expose existential theory to aid clients in finding spiritual meaning in their lives as it aligns with the biblical truths. Again, this form of treatment is not imposed on all clients, simply those with whom are seeking such approaches.
Humanistic
Humanistic approaches are the bridge to human suffering. We are at our most compassionate when we are able to find the source of another's suffering and practice love and relationship. In clinical practice, I utilize humanistic approaches to connect with my clients suffering or otherwise discomfort and pain to emphasize relatedness, hope, and love. This work aids clients in forming authentic and trusting bonds and further promotes resilience among future challenges.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy posits that we grow when we are able to deconstruct our problems, issues, and/or challenges in critical, open-minded ways, thereby regaining a foothold on resolution and resolve. Acceptance and commitment therapy is utilized in my clinical practice to aid clients in recognizing those contexts in which "moving on" is most appropriate for their mental health and well-being. It is imperative to note that acceptance and commitment therapy is not suitable in every situation nor with every person.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy is the gold standard for many mood and behavioral conditions. DBT focuses on balancing our minds, bodies, and souls with skill mastery across four dimensions: interpersonal communication, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. In clinical practice, I utilize DBT as a supplemental skill set to empower my clients to regain control over their lives in practical and pragmatic ways.