Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas , LCSW

Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas is a licensed psychologist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings 22 years of clinical experience to her therapeutic work. She earned a Doctorate and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and she also holds a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Temple University. Trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, her approach is also eclectic, person-centered, and trauma-informed, allowing her to tailor care to each person’s needs.

She has provided individual, couples, and family therapy across a range of settings, helping people address depression, anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, grief and loss, and relationship and family difficulties. Her practice also focuses on issues such as intimacy-related concerns, parenting and fatherhood challenges, caregiver stress, communication and control problems, infidelity, guilt and shame, and life transitions.

Dr. Ferguson-thomas emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship as the foundation for lasting change. She works collaboratively with each person to explore current challenges, identify strengths, and develop practical plans to overcome barriers and reach personal goals. Compassion and understanding guide her work as she supports people through complex emotional and relational difficulties.

Integrating Therapeutic Approaches for Effective Online Care

Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; this approach is practical for addressing anxiety, depression, panic symptoms, and many everyday challenges. She also applies trauma-informed principles to recognize how past experiences shape current responses and to create a responsive, supportive path forward for those affected by trauma. Her person-centered orientation keeps the client’s values and goals at the center of care, promoting collaboration and respect in the therapeutic relationship.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Ferguson-thomas partners with each person to determine which methods fit best given their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made. The work is collaborative and tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage with licensed professionals, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, maintain continuity during transitions, and choose the format that feels most comfortable for discussing sensitive or practical concerns.