Karisma Graham

Hi, I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across a variety of settings, including residential treatment, community-based services, schools, and acute care. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.

Throughout my career, I’ve supported clients navigating emotional and behavioral challenges, trauma, and life transitions. My experience includes working in schools (TDT), providing ABA services for children with autism, outpatient counseling and supporting individuals in higher levels of care such as residential and crisis settings.

I am especially passionate about working with teen girls and young adults who may be struggling with emotional regulation, self-esteem, identity, and relationship challenges. Many of the clients I work with feel overwhelmed by their emotions, engage in negative self-talk, or have difficulty navigating peer and family relationships. My goal is to create a space where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and tailored to each individual client. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing practical coping skills.

I take a trauma-informed and person-centered approach, recognizing how past experiences can impact emotional responses, self-worth, and behavior. I often work with clients who experience intense emotions, difficulty managing reactions, or challenges related to self-esteem and identity, helping them build emotional awareness and more effective ways of coping.

I strive to create a balance between providing guidance and allowing clients the space to explore their experiences, ensuring that therapy feels both structured and supportive.

During the first session, clients can expect a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment where they can feel comfortable sharing at their own pace. We will spend time getting to know each other, discussing what brought you to therapy, and identifying any concerns, goals, or areas you’d like to work on.

For many of my clients, this may include challenges with managing emotions, building self-confidence, or navigating relationships. I understand that starting therapy can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable, so my goal is to make the process feel as safe and natural as possible.

Together, we will begin to explore patterns, challenges, and strengths while creating a plan that feels realistic and supportive for you. By the end of the session, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of how we can work together and feel more confident about next steps.