Services offered
Messaging
Karissa Brennan, LMHC
Stress, Anxiety
Trauma, Abuse
Grief
Self esteem, Motivation
Depression
Messaging
About me
I am a licensed psychotherapist and certified online counselor. I believe that exploring a desire to change is the first step in creating a fulfilling lifestyle! Using Cloud Counselingâ„¢, or distance counseling, we can build an energized mindset that can help you to achieve a goal or change a dysfunctional behavior. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, emotional disturbances, self-empowerment, trauma, loss, finding meaning and addiction. I work to empower clients using a strengths-based, affirming perspective to teach coping skills, to help guide exploration of self and to provide support through normal life transitions.
ADHD is best understood if you know what it feels like. With my extensive education in mental health and as someone who was misdiagnosed as anxious and depressed for years, I have the unique ability to distinguish the guilt, depression, social anxiety and motivational issues of ADHD from other issues.
If you've ever been in therapy before, you may remember how uncomfortable it was to end your relationship with your therapist. Oftentimes, it feels like an awkward break-up. With Cloud Counselingâ„¢, it is short-term with the goal of getting you back on track without fostering dependence.
I focus on Dialectical Behavior Therapy, teaching Mindfulness and other techniques to help you tolerate the distressing emotions while processing what the emotions mean. The goal is to develop self-compassion and self-care strategies for managing moments when you feel emotionally overwhelmed. I also include psychodynamic ideas, motivational interviewing and skill building when clinically relevant.
Professional experience
5yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety
Trauma, Abuse
Grief
Self esteem, Motivation
Depression
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder
License information
NY LMHC 005767
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Karissa Brennan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Karissa had me pegged from the first session. She is very knowledgeable, current on the latest research and a great diagnostician. I find her responses to be compassionate and insightful and at the same time she manages to avoid all the typical therapist tropes that tend to annoy old therapy veterans like myself. Highly recommended.
Written on Oct 15, 2015 after therapy with Karissa for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and depression
Ms. Karissa Brennan is highly insightful, thorough, and unbiased. She gets to the root of the issue and crosses that threshold of pain. She has helpful advice that helps catalyze motion towards a peaceful path the middle of chaotic storm of unexpected life events.
Written on Aug 14, 2015 after therapy with Karissa for 3 weeks
I'm not an easy patient. Even when I try not to, I hijack my sessions and make therapists tell me what I want to hear. Karissa doesn't let me get away with that.
She's explored other diagnoses with me rather than just going with what I've been told before. She makes me examine my life and my relationships rather than just accepting the good things I say.
Karissa does not use the typical CBT toolbox. She uses mindfulness and other techniques while encouraging other evidence-based therapies such as neurofeedback.
Most importantly, she cares and is able to communicate that through text.
I came to BetterHelp because of a problem with my insurance but I'll be staying. Just yesterday my mother said "This is what you've always needed." As usual, she's right.
Written on Aug 01, 2015 after therapy with Karissa for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, career, and depression
Karissa is helping me develop the skills necessary to tackle some of my longest-standing inner dragons. She's always incredibly nice about it, too. I'm happy to have her guidance and compassion.
Written on Jul 12, 2015 after therapy with Karissa for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, family, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career, and depression
Karissa was so wonderfully helpful. Unlike face to face therapy. with better help i could finally say anything and everything I needed to say. I never felt judged and truly felt like karissa was exploring all kinds of possibilities for solutions. She was extremely knowledgeable and understanding. I always found empowered after getting her responses, even if it was just a little lift or idea of how to move forward. I am truly grateful to have found her.
Thank you Karissa!!
Written on May 30, 2015 after therapy with Karissa for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, eating, self esteem, anger, career, and depression