Like the name of my practice, I believe individuals are also capable of blooming throughout even the most difficult of circumstances. As a therapist that treats anxiety, ocd, depression, and trauma it is my goal to help individuals have a better understanding of themselves, process past pain, and feel confident in moving through life. I aim to be that safe guide that will assist you with reaching the life you want. Ultimately, you are the boss and have a say in what changes you want to make and your goals. With the help of my expertise, I will assist you with finding meaning in your life, facing painful situations, and living a life you value. Throughout this process I encourage transparency and open communication, as this is your life not mine. YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT SPOT. I understand, I have been there too, watching myself go through life while feeling like a shell of a person. After experiencing several traumatic events, the loss of both my parents in my early 20’s, and experiencing homelessness I was left reeling with a variety of painful emotions. With the support of some wonderful individuals, I was able to grab control of my life and continue to live boldly. Therapy with me isn't about becoming someone "different.” There is no such thing as perfection, only progress. I believe you deserve to be heard, validated, and supported. Your story is yours and just as important as anyone else’s story.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, you will be given the chance to tell me your story so that I can better understand what you are struggling with. Similar to what is asked of you at a doctor’s appointment, we will discuss things such as your family history, medical history, and information about your symptoms. In this session we will also discuss what you wish to work on in therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My experiences have shown me the importance in understanding what your emotions are telling you, as they signal what isn’t working in your life. I have also learned that it is crucial that you be able to ask for help instead of trudging ahead alone. While you may have a variety of skills that have helped you get to where you are they may only bring temporary relief or be inefficient at helping you. Therefore, creating a tool box of skills that can help you tackle life’s challenges is necessary. Lastly, improving yourself isn’t enough, our environment, loved ones, and ability to have our needs met impacts us in every way imaginable. In order to thrive we must create a more supportive environment that adds to our life.
About Carissa Sietsema
Carissa Sietsema offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT in combination with other treatment modalities such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and Prolonged Exposure. ACT expands on the mindfulness techniques used in other modalities, allowing progress to be made with coping with things such as intrusive thoughts, negative self talk, and feelings of hopelessness. ACT is also useful in highlighting important personal values which can be used to create a roadmap to achieving a fulfilling life. By engaging in value driven behaviors a decrease in depression, trauma, and anxiety can be seen.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT skills are a wonderful addition to anyone’s toolbox. These skills provide useful strategies that can assist with coping in times of crisis, regulating emotions in general, and improving relationships. In addition to providing skills necessary to manage one’s emotions, your ability to recognize, describe, and know what needs and values your emotions highlight will be learned. This increase in awareness will allow you to go beyond just coping with intense emotions but also help you identify ways to create a fulfilling life.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is the gold standard for treatment for OCD. Other treatments fail as they teach individuals to argue with or rationalize intrusive thoughts. OCD is like the perfect con man, if you point out one reason the thoughts are untrue, it will identify another lie that feels just as realistic and compels you to act. With ERP, the goal is to delay and eventually not engage in compulsions. With ERP, you will learn to unhook from the intrusive thoughts, treating them similar to a scary movie you came to critique instead of be scared by. These techniques will allow you to understand how the intrusive thoughts create feelings of distress, how you feel this distress in your body, and how to continue to engage in the life you want instead of being boxed in a corner by OCD.