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Karissa Thomas

Profile / United States

Karissa Thomas, LMSW

Michigan

LMSW - Anxiety and relationship support

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  • CBT methods
  • ACT strategies
  • Attachment focus

About Karissa

Karissa Thomas is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with seven years of clinical experience. She helps people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and a range of other stressors. Karissa uses a practical, direct style and asks questions to understand what matters most to each person.

She frames sessions around clear goals and steps. Many clients work on noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of responding. Karissa uses approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support that work.

Karissa also draws on attachment-based ideas and client-centered methods to explore how close relationships affect current problems. She uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills when people need concrete tools for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

Sessions tend to be straightforward and conversational. Karissa listens for patterns in thinking and behavior, then suggests experiments and practice tasks clients can try between meetings. She values honesty and a light touch when appropriate, including using humor to ease tension.

Her experience covers a wide set of concerns beyond mood and anxiety. These include grief, addiction, parenting strain, sleep problems, body image and eating concerns, ADHD, chronic illness, and stress tied to work or caregiving. Karissa accepts international clients and conducts work in English.

To begin, she asks clients to identify a small set of priorities. From there she helps set clear next steps and practical exercises, with progress reviewed regularly.

How her approaches translate to online work

Karissa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in her work. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing different responses, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. ACT emphasizes values and small actionable steps to move toward a meaningful life, which can help with motivation, grief, and adjustment concerns.

Attachment-based ideas are also part of her approach when relationship patterns matter. These discussions explore how past and present relationships shape feelings and interactions. Choosing the right approach is collaborative - Karissa works with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences, and she reviews progress together as treatment continues.

The profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also makes it possible to continue seeing a therapist when circumstances change, while keeping the focus on practical tools and clear next steps that transfer to everyday routines.

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

Listed in

Michigan

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with most?

She helps with anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, stress, grief, addictions, sleep problems, parenting strain, and a wide range of other concerns listed in her specialties.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is practical and straightforward. She listens, points out patterns, and suggests experiments and practice tasks clients can try between sessions.

What is her experience and background?

She has seven years of clinical experience and works as a Licensed Master Social Worker, using multiple approaches to address common life and mental health concerns.

Where is she located and licensed?

She practices in Michigan and holds the credential LMSW, which is presented as MI LMSW in her profile.

Does she work with people who are outside the United States?

Sessions are offered to international clients and are conducted in English.

What session formats does she offer?

The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to know what is available.

How are costs handled for sessions?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.

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Karissa Thomas

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