ABOUT ME

Carissa is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, specializing in holistic infant and pediatric feeding therapy. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Seattle Pacific University in 2012, a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Utah State University in 2015, and a Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2018. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),  holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), and has been honored to receive the ASHA ACE award in 2022 for her dedication to continuing education with nearly 200 hours devoted to infant and child feeding.

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Carissa has experience working with a variety of populations and settings in both pediatrics and adults. Her background in nutrition is what sparked her passion for feeding and swallowing, while becoming a mother further nurtured that interest in the pediatric population. The majority of her post-master’s education has focused on feeding, including Feed the Peds®, Adapted Baby-Led Weaning for Babies with Feeding Challenges, Get Permission Institute, Talk Tools Training, TOTS Training®  (tethered oral tissues), TummyTime!™ Method, Bottle Feeding Skills: Refining Clinical Reasoning for Selection and Use, Simon Says Myofunctional Therapy, and The Myo Method. Additionally, Carissa recently completed 63 hours of Infant Cranial Sacral Therapy training. Having a deep appreciation for how the whole body is connected and impacting feeding, she is enthusiastic to provide more holistic and comprehensive care to families.

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Nourish Therapy was started out of a passion for helping families feed their littles with confidence, as well as a desire to provide all families more access to services, both through individual and group offerings. Not only is Carissa a clinician, but a parent of a NICU-graduate, tongue tied baby, and child with a pediatric feeding disorder. She knows first hand the challenges families face, how lonely it can be, and truly enjoys working with families to make mealtime nourishing and enjoyable for everyone.