Karissa Low

Karissa was first introduced to C-DBT as a client in her early adulthood, which has shaped her therapeutic approach to be grounded in empathy and an understanding of what it takes to make radical changes in our lives. Karissa takes a deeply relational approach to therapy, believing that the therapeutic relationship creates opportunities for people to take risks as we learn to do something different. Her goal as a C-DBT therapist is to collaborate and explore with you way to tap into your own sense of wisdom and agency as you make choices about who you want to be and the life you want to live.

Karissa earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, where she deepened her understanding of third-wave behavioral and contextual approaches via the Contextual Behavior Program of Study, and completed the Emotion Management Program Fellowship in 2024-2025. Karissa has a background in working with survivors of sexual violence as a crisis counselor, along with experience working with individuals living in psychosis at a women’s shelter.

Karissa previously practiced DBT at an outpatient program, where she worked with both adolescents and adults with a range of needs and challenges. There, she worked with individuals struggling with substance misuse, dissociation, impulsivity (including self-defeating/dangerous behaviors), trauma, phobias, OCD, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in maintaining relationships.

When Karissa is not working, she enjoys spending time outside, cooking with her partner, and reading a good book.