Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas
Compassionate clinician blending psychology and social work
LCSW New Jersey
- Experience
- 22 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Languages
- English
About Carissa
Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas brings more than two decades of clinical practice to her work, combining social work and psychological training to guide clients through complex life challenges.
Background and approach
She holds a Doctorate and Masters in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Social Work from Temple University, and practices as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with licensure details reflecting practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Her background includes treating a wide range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, grief, and relationship and family difficulties. Dr.
Ferguson-thomas emphasizes a person-centered, trauma-informed stance while drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy to design practical strategies that fit each person’s situation. She meets people where they are, collaborating to build plans that reduce distress and strengthen coping.
The therapeutic relationship is central to her work; she fosters a warm, nonjudgmental space so clients can explore feelings and develop tools for change. Her experience spans individual, couples, and family therapy across varied settings, and she offers services from her New Jersey practice in English.
Practical therapeutic approaches for online care
Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and patterns and then develop step-by-step strategies to reduce symptoms such as anxiety, panic, and low mood. CBT techniques often include behavioral experiments, thought records, and skills practice that translate well to remote sessions.Her person-centered, trauma-informed orientation complements CBT by prioritizing the therapeutic relationship and attending to safety and pacing for people with histories of trauma or intense emotional reactions. This combination allows for both evidence-informed skills work and careful attention to a client's emotional experience. She approaches treatment collaboratively, helping clients explore which methods best match their goals and preferences rather than prescribing a single path.
Online therapy with her can include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for varied schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care across life changes and allow for regular skills practice and follow-up between synchronous sessions.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Licensed
New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Languages
English