Karissa Thomas, LMSW
Compassionate Michigan clinical social worker
- Client-centered collaboration
- Practical skill-building
- Accepts international clients
About Karissa Thomas
Karissa Thomas is a Michigan-based clinical social worker who aims to help people feel heard and understood while they navigate life’s challenges. With a practical, straightforward style balanced by genuine compassion, she approaches each person with curiosity and without judgment. Karissa believes that clients are the experts on their own experiences and centers sessions around their goals and needs. Her manner is warm and authentic - she is comfortable bringing moments of lightness and laughter into the therapeutic process when appropriate, while also engaging honestly with difficult emotions and situations.
As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Karissa combines professional training with a down-to-earth, collaborative stance to empower clients to develop coping strategies and make meaningful changes. She values openness and vulnerability as important parts of growth, and she works to create a space where clients can express themselves and explore practical solutions. Whether addressing stress, relationship concerns, grief, or other life stressors, Karissa offers steady guidance and practical tools to help clients move forward.
As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Karissa combines professional training with a down-to-earth, collaborative stance to empower clients to develop coping strategies and make meaningful changes. She values openness and vulnerability as important parts of growth, and she works to create a space where clients can express themselves and explore practical solutions. Whether addressing stress, relationship concerns, grief, or other life stressors, Karissa offers steady guidance and practical tools to help clients move forward.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Gottman Method Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Karissa Thomas have?
She has 7 years of experience.
Is Karissa Thomas a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker. License details: MI LMSW 6801108127.
In which languages does Karissa Thomas provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Karissa Thomas located?
She is located in Michigan.
How can I work with Karissa Thomas as my therapist?
Clients can work with her through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Karissa Thomas work with international clients?
Yes. She works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Karissa Thomas cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Karissa draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Attachment-Based Therapy as core approaches in her work. ACT helps clients notice unhelpful thoughts and develop greater psychological flexibility by clarifying personal values and committing to meaningful actions - it can be useful for stress, anxiety, and navigating life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relational patterns influence current connections and emotional responses, making it a helpful approach for intimacy-related issues, relationship challenges, and attachment concerns. Karissa also uses client-centered principles, emphasizing empathetic listening and collaborating with clients to honor their expertise about their own lives.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Karissa works collaboratively with each person to identify methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time so therapy remains relevant and practical for the client.
Online therapy with a licensed professional offers flexibility - sessions can take place by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, which makes it easier to fit care into a busy schedule or to connect across distances. These options can increase accessibility, allow for continuity of care, and let clients choose the mode of communication that feels most comfortable for them.