*Online sessions by appointment only
Hi, I’m Carissa — I’m so glad you’re here. I’m an award-winning Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Indiana & Ohio), Certified EMDR Therapist, and bilingual English-Spanish therapist. I specialize in walking alongside people who carry the weight of complex trauma, including intergenerational, relational, and religious trauma. Many of the folks I work with describe themselves as high-achievers, perfectionists, or people-pleasers, and together we explore how to release old burdens, recover from burnout, and discover what it means to live more freely and authenticity.
Before becoming a counselor, I was deeply involved in competitive singing and outdoor camping. Both experiences taught me about the vulnerability, courage, and the strength that comes from finding your voice and your place in the world. Now, I bring that same passion into my work—helping others reclaim their voice, worth, and story.
Outside of my counseling work, you’ll often find me at a baseball game, out on a hike, holding a yoga pose, or mid-sip with a mug of coffee in hand—usually while enjoying deep, meaningful conversations with the people I love.
Para hispanohablantes: Haga clic para ver esta página en español.
AM I THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?
I provide specialized support for:
- Overcoming trauma-related fears or phobias
- Chronic physical symptoms due to stress
- High performers with internalized shame
- Healthcare professionals stuck in survival mode
- Type-A achievers with well-masked anxiety
- Career dissatisfaction and burnout
- People-pleasers who are tired of shrinking
PATIENT POPULATIONS
Children (ages 6-12)
Adolescents (ages 13-18)
Adults (ages 18+)
TREATMENT SPECIALIZATIONS
Acute & complex trauma
Secondary & vicarious trauma
Religious trauma
Relational trauma
Anxiety
Depression
Grief & Loss
Anger
FAITH & SPIRITUALITY INTEGRATION
I believe faith and spirituality are important parts of a person, and play an important role in growth and healing. I work from a Judeo-Christian perspective; however, I work with people from a variety of faith backgrounds, as well as those who are agnostic or atheistic. It is always up to you if faith is addressed during counseling or not.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (IN); License #: 39003366A
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (OH); License #: E.2202785
Certified EMDR Therapist: Certification #: 193040
EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING
- Masters in Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; University of Dayton
- Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy; Capella University (CACREP Accredited)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Imaginal Nurturing, Ego States, and Attachment Training
- Flash Technique Training
- Columbia – Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Training
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy; U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Cognitive Processing Therapy; The Medical University of South Carolina
- Issues with Children & Youth – Racial Trauma, Non-suicidal Self Injury, Sexual Trauma, Adolescent Substance Use
- Advanced Somatic Trauma Treatment Training
BOOKS I LOVE
- The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler
- Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode–and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
- No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard Schwartz
- Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy by Francine Shapiro
INTRODUCTION TO EMDR THERAPY
“EMDR therapy targets the unprocessed memories that contain the negative emotions, sensations, and beliefs. By activating the brain’s information processing system, the old memories can then be “digested.” Meaning what is useful is learned, what’s useless is discarded, and the memory is now stored in a way that is no longer damaging.”
– Dr. Francine Shapiro, Founder of EMDR
Learn about EMDR therapy in this introductory video by the EMDR International Association.