Karissa Thomas

Compassionate practical therapy with evidence-based tools

LMSW Michigan

Experience: 7 years in practice
Focus areas: LGBT, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Karissa

Karissa Thomas is a licensed social worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan who focuses on helping people navigate a wide range of life challenges.

Background and approach

She works with concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, addictions, gender and LGBT matters, eating and body image struggles, ADHD, parenting stress, career difficulties, and coping with major life changes.

With seven years of clinical experience, she brings a practical, empathic presence that aims to validate what each person is experiencing while offering concrete strategies to move forward. Her style blends straightforward, down-to-earth guidance with genuine curiosity and warmth.

Karissa emphasizes collaboration and sees clients as experts on their own lives; she pairs that stance with evidence-based tools drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as appropriate.

Sessions are intended to be both honest and human, and she is comfortable bringing moments of lightness alongside the serious work of healing and growth.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to distress, helping people manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia through practical exercises and skills. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combines acceptance strategies with values-driven action to support emotional flexibility and coping when facing difficult feelings or life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relational patterns and early attachment dynamics to improve connection, communication, and emotional regulation in current relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Karissa works collaboratively to determine which methods best match each person's needs, goals, and preferences. She integrates techniques from these approaches as appropriate while inviting client feedback so treatment remains responsive and tailored.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for scheduling and lets people engage from locations that work for them. These formats support ongoing skill practice, check-ins between sessions, and options for those balancing work, caregiving, or mobility needs, making it easier to maintain consistent progress over time.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Karissa supports people facing anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, addictions, eating and body image struggles, ADHD, stress, and many related life challenges.

How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?

Her style is practical, straightforward, and compassionate, combining curiosity with a nonjudgmental stance and collaborative problem solving.

What is Karissa's clinical background and experience?

She has seven years of experience as a clinician and approaches care with an emphasis on validating experience while offering skills and strategies to address presenting concerns.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

Karissa holds an LMSW with licence details MI LMSW 6801108127 and is based in Michigan.

Can people who speak other languages or live outside the country work with her?

She provides services in English and does accept international clients for remote work.

Which session formats are available for online work?

Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How are costs and payments handled for ongoing sessions?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseEating disordersCoping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

7+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English