Devon Crisman, LCSW

01/22/2025

January is here! This is an ideal time to initiate your healing journey and explore strategies for maintaining mental well-being. I am happy to help you in taking the next steps towards therapy. Please feel free to contact me if you have any inquiries!

10/16/2024

For clients struggling with intense anxiety or dissociation, I incorporate specific regulatory techniques to promote a sense of calm and presence. These sensory-based and calming strategies help stabilize the nervous system, providing valuable benefits during sessions and in everyday life when managing feelings of overwhelm or heightened anxiety.

10/03/2024

A few common questions about therapy.

1. How do I choose a therapist?

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a therapist. If you are wanting to work on a specific issue (trauma, disordered eating, addiction, etc.) you want to make sure they specialize or are comfortable working with these issues. You may consider what they are licensed in. LMFT, LPC, LCSW, Pastoral Counseling, LADAC all have similar education but there are differences in their ethics and how they approach things. Other factors can include if they accept insurance, location, if the do virtual sessions, gender or s*x. Most therapist offer a free 10 minute consultation before the first session to make sure they are a good fit and for you to ask any questions!

2. I see a medication provider aren't they providing therapy?

Some medication providers will see patients longer than others and provide more psychoeducation and validation of experiences. But overall no. A medication provider is focused on managing symptoms of mental health with proper medication. A therapist is more focused on processing through therapeutic interventions (CBT, EFT, EMDR, and so on). Your sessions with a therapist will typically be longer than with a medication provider. Medication management can still play a vital role in therapy and it is always suggested your therapist and medication provider can work together to provide best care for patient.

3. What happens in therapy?

Therapist are legally bound to HIPPA (unless in danger to self or others) to provide a safe unbiased space to talk about whatever you want. The first session can feel like opening up a closet door you have been shoving all your junk in and it all comes spilling out. The therapist will help to guide you in understanding more about your experiences and how they may have impacted your views of self and or the world. You and your therapist will discuss goals of therapy and identify techniques to use outside of sessions to help challenge specific issues or manage symptoms to improve quality of life.

09/25/2024

Midweek Gratitude and Intention Setting: As we navigate the midpoint of the week, it's beneficial to pause, acknowledge areas of gratitude, and outline objectives for the remainder of the week and the weekend ahead.

What are your areas of gratitude or intentions for the days ahead?

09/24/2024

Happy Tuesday! Did you know research shows that spending time in nature can improve mood, well being, memory and attention.

Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.

09/02/2022

In being a trauma survivor sometimes it can feel safer to think in "all or nothings" or have "black and white thinking". But the world encompasses alot of grey. The shift to moving into both/and thinking can be liberating and lead to more authenticity.

09/08/2020

Complex PTSD can lead to difficulty in many areas. It is important to recognize the signs and to validate the experiences that have led to them.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) refers to a state in which we are severely impacted in the present by emotional neglect in our childhoods. Th...

08/05/2020

As parents and children make decisions about how they will return to school and adjust to their new routines, it is important to be aware of how this can impact stress levels. Incorporating a mindfulness exercise into the morning or nightly routine can be a great way to calm stress and engage together as a family!

Want to make mindfulness a family priority? Bring focus and peace with these powerful practices.

07/31/2020

It's Friday!! Going into the weekend our todo list can be daunting from everything we weren't able to get done throughout the week. It can also be a time to recharge and practice self care.

Remember to take some time for self this weekend and show yourself love for all the hard work you are doing!

07/30/2020

Hey! I am excited to meet you and take this journey towards healing.

A little bit about me. I am in the thick of the toddler years so sometimes I am a little sleep deprived and definitely more concerned about bowel movements than I ever thought I would be. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family outside, binge watching Netflix, reading books about therapy and research (nerd alert), and listening to podcasts. I enjoy cooking and attempting new recipes. I also like home improvement projects (thank you pinterest and sorry hubby).

I am passionate about empowering my clients to see that they have options in their life and to gain back a sense of self. It can be exhausting to feel like you have to be "fine" all the time, especially during a difficult season of life.

I am a huge believer that you come to things in life as you are ready to face them. You are already making a huge step and an investment in yourself.

Let me know how I can be of help as you take the next steps!