Witness Truth Teller Sacred Space Holder Spiritual Midwife
Meet Carisa
My Story
I love to learn and grow. That has been, and continues to be, a consistent part of my life's path. I have worked in a variety of industries and settings, lived in a number of different places, and have explored an array of interests on this journey through life. Each experience bringing with it a series of contemplations.
In 1994 I earned a bachelor degree in chemistry with a minor in Spanish and worked in corporate America for both large and small companies. In 2004, I volunteered a significant amount of time working with elders and the dying, which broadened my perspectives on both life and death hugely. In 2013, I earned my doctorate degree in clinical psychology and worked in addiction and community health.
In 2016, I became independently licensed and opened my own psychology practice, working predominately with dissociation and the impacts of childhood trauma and neglect.
In 2024 I entered menopause. With this as a catalyst, I prioritized healthy aging and overall quality of life. I deactivated my psychology license and now work as a guide, mentor, and facilitator rather than as a psychologist. This means
I now offer a non-pathologizing approach to self-understanding and transition.
My Philosophy
My years of experience have taught me to normalize rather than pathologize human behavior, especially during significant life transitions. There are always reasons why we do the things we do. The problem is that we often misinterpret the messages our soul is trying to tell us. The goal is to understand, rather than judge.
I have been trained as a clinical psychologist; however, I work as a witness and guide for self-understanding in practice. My work is grounded in presence, empathic listening, intuitive inquiry, and developmental insight and is informed by years of additional research and study in aging, end of life, cumulative trauma, dissociation, psychology of place, and menopause.
The work is not about fixing what is "wrong" but about understanding what happened... and what is now possible.
My Professional Services
I work one on one with adults, via phone or video. Sessions are typically an hour in length, although 90 minutes is possible upon request.
I facilitate groups.
I consult with mental health professionals.
I research and speak at conferences.
My passion projects are:
justice informed and decolonized care,
dissociation and regression, sociopathy, identity, life transitions, psychology of place, and menopause