Carissa Young

My Journey.

Through my experiences as a teacher, it became more and more evident that students' mental health largely effected how and if they were able to learn. Mental health is a core need that is related to every other area of a person's life. If we ignore this need, we are suppressing one's full potential. I have spent 17 years in the role of the teacher trying to provide the best education for my students while addressing mental health needs as they appeared. 

I realized that my time was better spent addressing the mental health needs first, so I went back to school to become a school counselor.  I took additional courses so that I could also be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the community.  

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I found myself being drawn to anxiety and trauma work.  Maybe, that is because I personally have had to address both in my own life and figure out what would work for me. We are all different.! What works for me, might not work for you.  What works today, might not work tomorrow.  It is about figuring out what works for you and using that to create your own mental health tool box. It can be frustrating; this trial and error approach, but at the end of the day you will find out what your personal tools are to help you become even more resilient.

I have training as a Sexual Assault Counselor and volunteer my time answering a crisis hotline.