Carissa is a native Calgarian who studied vocal performance during her under graduate degree and went on to pursue a Bachelors of Music Therapy (BMT) from Capilano University in North Vancouver, British Colombia. Her studies included counselling, improvisation, music theory, analytical music therapy, psychology, medical music therapy and 3 supervised practicum placements. She also completed her 1000 hour internship with Calgary's very own JB Music Therapy where she worked in a variety of settings with cliental ranging from toddlers and development, teens and mental health, to seniors and memory care. 

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Since then Carissa has also attained her Addictions Studies Certificate from Mount Royal University in Calgary, her trauma informed training from Care for the Wounded Heart; and has worked extensively with at risk youth in residential treatment settings, group home settings, and secure settings. Carissa also has experience working with children and adolescents with autism and developmental needs, children and adolescents with behavioural needs and specials needs in the school system, mental health and addiction, sexual exploitation and trauma, and the geriatric population living with dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson and other age related needs.

 

Carissa now uses her trauma informed practice to specialize working with kids/teens experiencing mental health and developmental needs, while also working with parents to break generational trauma and retrain the nervous system.

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Carissa is an accredited music therapist (MTA) in Canada. Carissa is also a member of the Music Therapy Association of Alberta and the Canadian Association of Music Therapy.