Carissa Herendeen, BSW

Merrillville

Education

School:

Bachelor of Social Work

Degree:

Valparaiso University

Carissa is a therapy intern at Pillars of Wellness and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Indiana University. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University and brings a strong foundation in client-centered, strengths-based care.

Carissa has experience in community mental health, including crisis intervention for clients of all ages, as well as supporting adults in residential settings. She works with individuals navigating transitional seasons of life, managing stress and anxiety, and coping with a range of other mental health concerns.

In sessions, Carissa strives to create a safe, empathetic, and motivating space where clients feel supported and encouraged. Her goal is to help individuals recognize their strengths, build resilience, and take meaningful steps toward growth and wellbeing.

Issues Treated

Adoption Issues
Anxiety Disorders
Behavioral Issues
Coping Skills
Divorce and Separation
Family Dynamics
Grief
Life Transitions
Maternal Mental Wellness
Mood Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Parenting
Personality Disorders
Relationship Issues
Self-Esteem
Self-Harming
Stress Management
Suicidality
Trauma

Session Types

Individual

Age Specialties

Toddlers/Preschoolers (0 to 5)
Children (6 to 10)
Preteens/Tweens (11 to 13)
Teenagers (14 to 19)
Emerging Adults (18-25)
Adults

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Art Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eclectic/Integrated Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Narrative Therapy
Play Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)