Meet IOME's new therapist, Carissa!

We are thrilled to have Carissa join the IOME team!

Carissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate that will be primarily working out of our Windsor & Ft Collins locations. Carissa's specialities include: 

Children & Adolescents + Anxiety + Depression + Stress Management +  ADHD + Trauma + Life Transitions + Substance Use  
+ Faith Based Counseling (upon request)  

We asked Carissa a few questions so the IOME Community can get to know her better, check out her answers below!

• Tell us a little bit about yourself. (Where are you from, family, etc). 
  I’m a Colorado native born and raised! I was born in Colorado Springs but have been in Northern Colorado for the last 20 years. I’m the middle child with a younger brother and an older sister. My sister is married with two rambunctious kiddos. Being their auntie is one of my favorite things!
• Why did you become a therapist?  
  I became a therapist because my life was radically changed with the help of mental healthcare professionals. As a child and teenager, I did not have the language to describe or process the mental health challenges I was experiencing. When I began my mental health journey, the greatest gift my counselor gave me was the words to match my experience. My hope in becoming a therapist is to help others experience the same thing. I hope to facilitate growth, healing, and wholeness with the clients that trust me with their care.

• What specialties and/or experience do you have? (you can also mention what you're studying!)  
  I studied trauma and have a great interest in expanding my knowledge of this topic. I am excited to work with children, adolescents, and young adults from all walks of life. So far, my experience is largely with substance abuse and I have learned this skillset has many applications! I’m so excited to learn from the extremely talented and knowledgeable therapists at IOME!

•  Why did you decide to work for IOME? 
  I have previous experience in the mental health field from an administrative standpoint. In this role, I was exposed to various therapeutic styles and was able to determine what I valued in a therapeutic career. I learned that achieving a sustainable work-life balance is pivotal to providing excellent care to my clients, and I have sought a practice that shares this belief. I was immediately attracted to IOME because they’re founded on this belief. I also learned that IOME values community connections, which foster holistic growth. I seek wholeness and integration wherever possible, and I see these values reflected within IOME.
  

• Why do you believe self care is non negotiable? 
  I love this question! Self-care is invaluable because without it, we can quickly become shells of ourselves. Especially in helping professions, people often spend all day pouring their energy and pieces of themselves into others. While this is noble, one’s ability to care for others is diminished when they are not caring for themselves. Discovering how we can reconnect with ourselves and replenish our energy can help us be fully present for the people and situations that daily demand out attention.
  

• How do you incorporate guilt free self care into your daily routine?
  I love starting my mornings slowly. I typically make myself a pour over and have a light breakfast. On my off days, I love spending some time in the sun reading a book or listening to a podcast. I also care for myself by sticking to the same bedtime routine. Avoiding my phone before bed and reading to end my day helps my brain quiet down allowing for good sleep. Other ways I implement self-care daily include connecting with my husband, caring for my plants, and trying to get some time by myself to recharge.

• Who is your ideal client?  
  My ideal client is someone who is ready to put in the work it takes to achieve their goals. I don’t care if the goal feels big or small, as long as they are committed to working toward it, I am excited to work alongside them!

• What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting therapy? 
  I would say that I understand where you’re at because I have been there too. Starting therapy can be so intimidating. I understand that there can be stigma or that the unknown of therapy can feel scary. I would tell someone who is on the fence to trust themselves. If they think there is any tiny possibility that therapy will be beneficial, do it! Counselors are so eager to support you in whatever way you feel comfortable. So you can set the pace and decide how much you work on and how quickly. Take your time to ease in if you need to, but know that seeking support can be the greatest act of self-care you ever do. Having an objective person to verbally process life with can be such a gift!