Grief, Divorce, School Issues, Parenting, Family Conflict, Substance Use, Alcohol Use, Chronic Illness/Pain, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Family Counseling, Individual Counseling, Couples/Marriage Counseling

Online in Illinois

8 years in practice

Ages served: 6-65+

Accepted insurance & self-pay

Karissa accepts 27 insurers

Aetna

Aetna Medicare Advantage

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Cigna | Evernorth

Cigna | Evernorth - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | PPO

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | PPO - Blue Choice

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

Carelon

Compsych

Devoted Health | Medicare Advantage

Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

First Health Network

HealthSpring | Medicare Advantage

Humana Medicare Advantage

JP Farley Corporation

Medica

Medicare IL

Multi Plan PHCS

Optum Serve

Oscar Health

Poppins Health

Quest Behavioral Health

UMR

United Healthcare | Optum

United Healthcare | Optum - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

United Healthcare | Optum Medicare Advantage

Uprise EAP

SELF-PAY COSTS

Out-of-pocket session costs for clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered by their insurance for mental health services.

$200

first session

$170

subsequent sessions

About Karissa

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years of experience. I have worked with people across all ages and diagnoses, including those in crises. My experience includes supporting adolescents, adults, geriatrics, first responders, and veterans. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and addiction.

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My therapeutic style is collaborative and compassionate, centering on each person’s unique needs. I draw on approaches such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, family systems, solution-focused brief therapy, and exposure therapy.

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to support, validate, and empower you while helping you feel understood. Wherever you are in your journey, I’ll walk alongside you with compassion and care as we work toward lasting healing and positive change.

"I believe in creating a collaborative and empathetic space with a deep respect for your unique experiences and strengths, because therapy is not only about addressing challenges but also about empowering you to reconnect with your resilience and move forward with purpose."

Get to know Karissa

What types of clients do you work best with?

I can work with all clients as my previous experience in crisis has allowed me to grace and understanding that no matter what age someone is, we all deserve someone to care about us and help us.

What's one thing you wish all clients knew about therapy, mental health, or the healing process?

While therapy is hard work, getting through the tough times with someone is much better than going at it alone.

What can clients expect in their first session with you and in the early stages of therapy?

I like to build rapport with people. I like to get to know them and allow them to get to know me. So while the first few sessions may not seem like we are making progress towards the mental health goal, know there is progress being made. I want others to be able to trust me in the therapeutic setting.

What personal experiences or values inform your practice as a therapist/provider?

I have a history of Post traumatic stress disorder from my childhood. I have also had personal experience with Bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and addiction that runs in my family.

How do you tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs?

Each client has an individual treatment plan. No treatment plan is the same. These treatment plans are adjusted as therapy goes on. The treatment plans are based upon each individual person and what they are struggling with.

Other areas of focus

SpecialitiesGrief, Divorce, School Issues, Parenting, Family Conflict, Substance Use, Alcohol Use, Chronic Illness/Pain, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Anger Management, Stress / Mental Stress / Work Stress, Weight Loss, Step-Family / Blended Family Issues, Social Anxiety, Psychosis, Personality Disorders, Peer Relationships, Panic Attack, Obesity, Mood Disorders, Marital & Premarital, Gambling, First Responders, Antisocial Personality, Agoraphobia, Self-Harming, Trauma / PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Relationships, Life Transition, Eating Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Addiction, ADHD, Women’s Issues, Self Esteem, Infidelity, Coping Skills, Behavioral Issues, Medical / Health Issues, Military / Veteran, Suicidal Ideation

ApproachesStrength-Based Therapy, Integrative, Trauma-Focused, Structural Family Therapy (SFT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBCT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Psychotherapy, Family / Marital, Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing