Hi. I'm Carissa.

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. I found it difficult to believe in myself.

Eventually, I found a consistent, but strenuous, acting gig. It was a dream come true to have stable work, but the job took a toll on my body, and I ended up with chronic severe pain. I had to reevaluate my life.

I went back to school, and I got my degree in counseling psychology. While I was learning how to help others heal, I also learned how to help myself. With the support of teachers, mentors, and my own therapy, I started to shift the old beliefs that kept me small and scared.

I learned I could be human. Messy. Not just a tidy little package, but a real person. I discovered that it was safe to shine.

Now I help others to do the same.

Together we will get to the heart of what's keeping you stuck.

Using warmth, curiosity, and persistence, we will harness the powerful tools in my arsenal, along with your innate wisdom, to support your growth.

Have you heard this story?

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.

But sometimes you might feel covered in gunk and grime from the difficulties you've experienced & the negative beliefs about yourself.

As we work together, the layers of pain and the debilitating beliefs will dissolve — and you will have a path to reconnect to the light inside — so you can confidently live the life you desire.

You are like that Buddha. Inside, you are solid gold: radiant and powerful.