Hi. I'm Carissa.
I was a goofy and vibrant kid, born an only child to a storytelling mother and law-enforcement father. I knew I had something to share with the world. But over and over again, I got the message that the only way to make sure others loved me was to keep myself in a perfect little package and not take up too much space.
I got really good at staying small and quiet. At age 11 I was bitten by the acting bug, and began to pursue a life in the theatre. But fear, perfectionism, and anxiety got in the way of realizing my acting dreams. Although I worked steadily as an actress, I found it difficult to believe in myself. Eventually, I found a consistent, but strenuous, physical acting gig. It was a dream come true to have stable work, but the job was unbelievably hard on my body. I ended up with chronic severe pain that got in the way of my job and my wellbeing. I had to reevaluate my life. I went back to school. I got my degree in counseling psychology. I learned how to help others heal. But I also learned how to help myself heal. With the support of teachers, mentors, and my own therapy, I started to unpack the old beliefs that I had to keep quiet and small. I started, step-by-step, to let my true, authentic self shine. |
I learned how to let others see more of me, the good and the bad. I learned I could be human. Messy. No longer a bland and tidy little package but a real person.
I started showing up. In the world, and for myself. Now I teach others to do the same. With therapy or coaching I will work with you to get to the heart of what's keeping you stuck. Using warmth, curiosity, and persistence, I harness the powerful tools in my arsenal to support your growth.
If you work with me one-on-one in therapy we will use EMDR, "parts" work, and compassionate talk therapy to heal your pain and to help you reach your goals. As a certified EMDR therapist and consultant, I love using the scientifically researched tool of EMDR to activate your ability to clear out the muck and heal the wounded parts of you, while helping the vibrant and confident you to emerge more fully. I will be gently persistent, helping you stay accountable to your goals.
If we work together through coaching, you will get intensive support from me to heal the blocks that keep you from growing in your business. We will first focus on soothing the stress that may have accumulated with targeted, effective techniques, and then we will focus on growing your confidence so that you can joyfully show your amazing self off to the world without fear and second guessing.
I started showing up. In the world, and for myself. Now I teach others to do the same. With therapy or coaching I will work with you to get to the heart of what's keeping you stuck. Using warmth, curiosity, and persistence, I harness the powerful tools in my arsenal to support your growth.
If you work with me one-on-one in therapy we will use EMDR, "parts" work, and compassionate talk therapy to heal your pain and to help you reach your goals. As a certified EMDR therapist and consultant, I love using the scientifically researched tool of EMDR to activate your ability to clear out the muck and heal the wounded parts of you, while helping the vibrant and confident you to emerge more fully. I will be gently persistent, helping you stay accountable to your goals.
If we work together through coaching, you will get intensive support from me to heal the blocks that keep you from growing in your business. We will first focus on soothing the stress that may have accumulated with targeted, effective techniques, and then we will focus on growing your confidence so that you can joyfully show your amazing self off to the world without fear and second guessing.
This is one of my favorite stories.
In 1957, a monastery in Thailand was being relocated. As they began to move a giant clay Buddha statue, one of the monks noticed a crack in the outer layer. Looking carefully, he saw that there was a golden light shining out of the crack in the dingy clay. The monks gently began to peel the clay away. They were shocked to discover what they thought was a clay Buddha was actually a statue made of solid gold.
You are like that Buddha.
Inside, you are solid gold: radiant and powerful. But sometimes you might feel covered in gunk and grime from the difficulties in life, the negative beliefs about yourself, and the all times you've tried and fallen down. As we work together, the layers of pain and the debilitating beliefs will dissolve--you will reconnect to your aliveness. You will learn to fiercely show up for yourself. You will learn to confidently be seen by others.
You will shine.