Carrissa Williams, PhD
Welcome! I am the CEO & Founder of Small Victories Wellness Services, PLLC and a Licensed Psychologist. I was born and raised near Kansas City, MO. I attended graduate school at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) where I earned my doctorate in counseling psychology. My dissertation research explored feelings of marginalization in first-generation college students.
I have been providing psychotherapy since 2009. I have multiple years of specialized training with young adults in college counseling centers. I have also worked in a community mental health centers, VA hospital, and a substance abuse recovery facility. Advocating for social justice including racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and intersectional feminism is an important part of my professional and personal identity.
I am a trained generalist meaning I can independently treat many presenting concerns, however, my major clinical interests include mood disorders (i.e. depression, anxiety), young adults navigating major life transitions or healing from childhood trauma, first-generation college students, perfectionism, increasing self worth, relationship concerns (i.e. divorce/break-ups, repairing communication, vulnerability in dating life), and women of size struggling with body shame and weight oppression.
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is essential for healing and change. In our work together, I will strive to build a therapeutic alliance with you that is grounded in safety and freedom for you to share all of your feelings and experiences without fear of judgment. I view our alliance as collaborative and will often tell you that we are a team in the change process. My therapeutic approach often involves exploring thinking patterns and how these might be fueling presenting concerns and behavior. I also believe in the importance of examining how early relationships and experiences shape current beliefs and relationship patterns. I believe in helping you develop skills and acquire tools to improve your functioning now while also committing to helping you find insight and understanding into your personal patterns and the origins of your presenting concerns.
