Karissa Thomas, LMSW

Karissa Thomas is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who helps people navigate relationship stress, trauma, anxiety, grief, and issues with intimacy and self-esteem. She brings a direct and compassionate style that aims to make clients feel heard and understood. Karissa values honesty and openness and uses a practical approach to help people address everyday struggles.

She works in a nonjudgmental, curious, and genuine manner. Sessions are straightforward and often include problem-solving, emotion coaching, and skills practice. Karissa believes clients are the experts on their own lives and collaborates with them to set realistic goals.

Her background includes seven years of clinical experience as a social worker. That experience informs a flexible use of several therapy methods, chosen to match each person's needs and situation. She draws on approaches that focus on thoughts, emotions, relationships, and present-moment values.

People come to Karissa for a wide range of concerns, including stress, depression, bipolar mood issues, anxiety, addictions, parenting strain, ADHD, eating and body image concerns, and coping with life changes. She also supports those dealing with grief, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and abandonment or attachment difficulties.

Sessions aim to be practical and down-to-earth. Karissa mixes empathic listening with clear, usable tools so clients can try things between sessions. Her style makes room for seriousness and for moments of lightness as people work toward meaningful change.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Karissa often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and relationship worries. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical exercises to change patterns that cause distress.

Finding the right approach is something she figures out together with each client. She will talk through goals, try techniques, and adjust methods based on what feels most helpful. That collaborative process helps match tools to the client's needs and preferences.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm available session formats before booking because the biography did not list specific options. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when time is limited. It also lets people use methods like CBT exercises and values-based work in regular life settings. Discuss format options during the initial match so you can choose what works best for your routine and goals.