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Karissa Thomas

Karissa Thomas, LMSW

Therapist · Michigan · 7+ years of experience

Compassionate, practical care for life transitions

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  • Practical and straightforward
  • Warm and curious
  • Focus on midlife concerns

About Karissa

Karissa Thomas is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan. She aims to help people feel heard and understood as they face stress, loss, relationship strain, or a midlife crossroads. Her approach is down-to-earth and caring, and she makes space for honesty, humor, and real conversation.

Karissa listens without judgment and treats people as the experts on their own lives. She asks curious questions and offers practical ideas to try between sessions. Her style mixes straightforward feedback with warmth and compassion so the work feels useful, not overwhelming.

She uses a blend of approaches to match what each person needs. Those methods include acceptance and commitment ideas, attachment-focused work, client-centered listening, cognitive behavior strategies, and skills drawn from dialectical behavior therapy. Karissa pulls from these methods to address anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, addictions, grief, parenting stress, and challenges like ADHD or body-image worries.

Over seven years she has worked with a wide range of concerns including career shifts, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and intimacy-related issues. People meet her for help managing emotions, improving communication, and finding clearer direction during uncertain times.

Her tone in the room is practical and honest. She helps people set small, manageable goals and checks in often about what’s working. To begin, readers should use the site’s Start Therapy button and follow the matching steps to schedule a time.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseEating disordersCoping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

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 OCDPanic 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

Credentials

Michigan

Languages

English

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It focuses on values and small actions that move someone toward a life they care about, which can be useful for midlife decisions, anxiety, or depression. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in relationships and how early bonds shape current behavior. It can help people understand trust, closeness, and communication problems. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and pacing; the therapist offers empathic listening and reflection so the person feels understood and can find their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karissa will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then tailor methods that fit those aims. This is a collaborative process where adjustments are made over time based on what helps most.

Confirm the therapist's current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make sessions easier to fit into a busy life, such as shortening check-ins during a work break or avoiding travel time. It also lets people keep continuity of care if they move or travel across time zones. Licensed professionals can use these methods effectively in online sessions while focusing on practical skills, clearer communication, and steady progress.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Karissa help with?

She supports people facing anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, parenting strain, eating and body-image concerns, and midlife stresses.

What is Karissa's approach in sessions?

She uses a practical, straightforward, and compassionate style. Sessions combine listening, reflective feedback, and skills or strategies to try between meetings.

How much experience does she have?

Karissa has seven years of clinical experience working with a range of life stressors and mental health concerns.

What are her credentials and location?

She holds a Licensed Master Social Worker credential, listed as LMSW, and practices from Michigan.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with Karissa?

Yes, she accepts international clients. Confirm time zones and scheduling during the intake steps.

How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Karissa?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability listed on the site.

Karissa Thomas Online therapy options on BetterHelp

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