Karissa Hamilton

Therapist

Karissa Hamilton, MA, NCC (she/her/hers), holds a Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Bates College. She is a nationally certified counselor, and a licensed professional counselor-candidate, awaiting licensure from the State of Illinois. Karissa has completed Level 1 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and integrates the Gottman Method into her work with individuals and couples.

Karissa is passionate about helping adult individuals and couples find a path to intimate relationships that feel safe, connected, and nurturing, while sustaining a truth-to-self. Karissa sees authenticity as a gift we give ourselves, share with others, our communities, and the world. Barriers to building intimacy with self and others may look like addiction, co-dependency, or avoidance; unresolved relational trauma, or dysfunctional family dynamics; scarce or serial dating; infidelity or betrayal trauma; desire discrepancy; high-conflict or communication breakdown. You may feel lonely, guarded, afraid when close or apart, lost, or stuck. You might simply sense that something is missing, and that there has to be more to life.

Karissa believes many barriers to intimacy stem from templates we formed in our earliest attachments, where we learn whether it is safe to be vulnerable, express our needs, and take healthy emotional risks. Karissa believes healing occurs within relationship. Through collaboration, curiosity, and respect, she invites her clients to come as they are into the calm, still, accepting space between us, to meet themselves with courage, openness, and boldness.

Karissa enjoys working with clients with diverse identities, and expansive relationship structures and lifestyles. She has a sex-positive, BDSM/kink-knowledgeable approach to exploring sexuality. In her work with addiction, she is supportive of 12-step recovery culture as well as harm reduction strategy, which recognizes the individual and makes recovery broadly accessible.

Outside of work, Karissa can be found catching up with friends while supporting a local, small-business, learning a new partner-dance, baking something in puff-pastry, or binge-watching a trending Netflix series.

Karissa considers it an honor to accompany you on your journey toward recovery, self-discovery, wholeness, and connection. She looks forward to connecting with you!

She can be reached at karissa@headhearttherapy.com.