Dr. Carisma Garrett

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you're carrying stress, anxiety, trauma, or simply feeling stuck. My goal is to provide a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported as we work toward meaningful change.

I am Carisma Garrett-Baxter, PhD, LMHC, LPC, with more than 15 years of experience supporting adults through anxiety, depression, trauma, intrusive thoughts, life transitions, relationship concerns, stress, low self-esteem, and emotional overwhelm.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and individualized. I draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients better understand themselves, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and build resilience.

My experience includes outpatient mental health, crisis intervention, community behavioral health, and the Veterans Crisis Line. These experiences have strengthened my ability to provide compassionate, calm, and supportive care during challenging moments.

I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Buffalo State College, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Medaille College, and PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior from Capella University. I am licensed in New York and Georgia.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, healing from trauma, adjusting to change, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, I strive to provide a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel supported and move forward with confidence.

My approach to therapy is warm, supportive, and collaborative. I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. I take time to understand what you're experiencing, what may be keeping you stuck, and what you would like to change.

I tailor therapy to each person rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. I incorporate CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help you recognize patterns, manage difficult emotions, develop healthier coping skills, and feel more confident navigating life's challenges.

My goal is not just to help you get through a difficult moment, but to help you better understand yourself and develop practical tools you can continue using outside of therapy.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and talk about what brought you to therapy. We’ll discuss what you’ve been experiencing, what’s currently affecting you, and what you hope to gain from our work together. There’s no pressure to share everything at once. We’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

I’ll ask questions to better understand your background, current concerns, strengths, and support system, while also giving you space to ask questions and share what you need from therapy. Together, we’ll begin identifying your goals and creating a plan that feels realistic and meaningful to you. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and clear about what our next steps will look like.