“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” ― Pema Chödrön

I’m a psychotherapist with over 13 years of experience, and I bring a deep passion for helping people say what they need to say—without trauma interrupting the process. Many of my clients have experienced multiple, complex layers of trauma and/or chronic invalidation, and I specialize in creating a space where those stories can safely unfold—and where healing, skill-building, and meaningful change can begin.

I’m certified by the DBT-Linehan Board (DBT-LBC), and I provide DBT fully to model. My clinical work is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and a healthy mix of whimsy and structure. I bring creativity and playfulness into sessions, especially when working with folks navigating identity, emotional intensity, or relational complexity.

I enjoy working with clients who are neurodivergent, queer, polyamorous, or exploring non-traditional relationships and ways of being. My style is honest, affirming, and relationally focused—I aim to co-create a space where you can show up fully and feel seen.

Outside the therapy room, I’m a single parent to two awesome teen boys (one of whom is AuDHD), a lover of board games, water adventures, and nature. I find joy in building community both personally and professionally, and I show up with warmth, humor, and a deep commitment to your growth.

Karissa Krapf, LCSW, LISW-CP, DBT-LBC, graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work. She is certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification and delivers Dialectical Behavior Therapy fully to model. Karissa has over 13 years of experience working with both adolescents and adults across a range of clinical settings.

In addition to DBT, she is trained in Mindful Self-Compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, DBT-PE, Triple P Parenting, Sandtray Therapy, and Narrative Therapy using tabletop gaming. She also has specialized training in Sage Couples Therapy for partners impacted by trauma and provides support to parents of adolescents. She supervises provisional LCSW-As and is licensed in North and South Carolina.

Karissa self-identifies as neurodivergent. She is LGBTQIA+, poly-, and kink affirming. Her clinical lens is shaped by a deep understanding of trauma, a commitment to inclusion, and a balance of creative, relational, and evidence-based practices.