Carissa is a Licensed Addictions Counselor and a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor. She is under the supervision of Michelle Dugas, LPC at The Refuge 18-2. She has completed her Master’s in Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans as well as a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Rehabilitation Services (2003).
Carissa started working in substance abuse in 2008 and returned to school in 2015 to be able to address all clients' needs related to mood, trauma or addiction. She loves attending to the needs of traumatized individuals and couples spending the last 4 years primarily working with trauma related issues utilizing the models above.
She works to provide a safe, warm, judgment free environment for processing difficult issues. It takes great courage to take the step for counseling and she counts it as a privilege to be able to be a part of the journey.
She has served as the Addiction Coordinator at Celebration Hope Center (outpatient treatment) and has been a Addiction Counselor since 2011 through the ADRA. She has extensive experience working with individuals, groups, and families, specifically in addressing addiction, anxiety , depression, grief, trauma and relationships concerns. She has been trained in many substance abuse models (Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Brief Intervention, and CBT) as well as other models that provide an integrated approach to trauma, substance abuse and emotion related issues (Story-Informed Trauma Therapy, Seeking Safety, ACT and EFT). She is trained and experienced in EMDR.
Carissa was born and raised in NOLA. She and her husband continue to raise their three children (one now an adult) in this city they have always called home.
If you would like to contact Carissa for counseling, email her at Carissa@refuge182.com.
Tiffany is a Provisional Licensed Counselor (PLPC) and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). As a PLPC she receives supervision from Michelle Dugas LPC-S. Tiffany holds a Masters of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Story-Informed Trauma Therapy.
Tiffany has experience working with individuals, couples and families presenting with anxiety, depression, physical/sexual abuse, trauma, relationship issues and/or life transitions. She worked for nine years at the Celebration Hope Center, building a unique counseling internship program, and had the honor of serving as the Mental Health Coordinator.
She is married to Michael who is kitchen and bath cabinet business owner, and she has two children, Olivia and Charlie. Tiffany spends most her days as a stay at home, and is truly blessed to work part-time counseling at The Refuge 18-2.
Chris acknowledges the courage it takes to seek counseling in pursuit of personal healing and growth. Knowing that these first few steps can feel awkward and a bit scary, Chris prioritizes safety and acceptance for her clients so they will soon experience that they ‘are not alone.’ Chris believes that most of us are unprepared to face life’s challenges which leave many people feeling overwhelmed and stuck… unsure of knowing which way to turn. She considers it a privilege to walk through life’s storms with her clients as we find a path to healing and transformation together.
Evidence-based research shows that we, as humans, are neurobiologically wired for connection yet many of us have been wounded in ways that make it difficult to connect with others on a ‘real’ level. These wounds from our past are often still negatively impacting our present relationships and lives. Connections help all of us to be more resilient when dealing with anxiety, depression and loss. Chris has been trained in cutting edge models that focus on developing and building deeper connections with yourself and others.
Chris work with adults facing a variety of struggles including anxiety, depression, grief/loss, traumas, and church wounds. She also works with couples and families overcome relational disconnection, to rebuild and strengthen their attachment bonds, and to be more open and responsive with one another. By utilizing the highly effective method of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Chris helps couples to identify and break free from the negative thoughts and interaction patterns, and strengthen their relationships. Chris is also trained in Story- Informed Trauma Therapy (SITT) to guide her client healing in healing from the trauma from their own stories.
Chris also facilitates intensive process groups in churches and organizations to help foster emotional and spiritual healing and growth. These groups foster building empathy and deeper connections which are foundational in the healing process. She is very passionate about creating safe groups in which people can “do life together.”
Outside of the office, Chris enjoys cooking, photography, and the ‘Bayou Life’ by spending time in nature with family and friends.
DeAron is a Provisionally Licensed Counselor. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. DeAron completed his Master’s in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Delta State University.
He has experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. He has counseled in inpatient and outpatient settings. He has training in Prepare-Enrich, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trust Based Relational Intervention, and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
He has experience with depression, anxiety, relational issues, spiritual issues, and cultural issues.
DeAron has been married for several years and has two daughters.
Han a is Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) working towards becoming a fully licensed professional counselor (LPC). She had earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Holy Cross in 2017. She is also a National Board Certified Counselor.
Since 2015, Han has had the following clinical experience as an intern at Jefferson Parish Public High School ESL working with adolescents and their family; counseled individuals, adolescents, and couples at Catholic Counseling Services; counseled trauma survivors at STAR, and seen residents at Woldenberg Village – Nursing Home. As a PLPC, she volunteered at Catholic Counseling Services and has worked at several private practices around the greater New Orleans Metro area. In 2018, Han worked at River Place Behavioral Health Hospital conducting group therapy and assessments for individuals facing various mental health issues. The hospital was an intensive inpatient facility to assist individuals with bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, suicidality, and any mental breakdowns that pose a threat to self or others.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Han is familiar with the “Nawlin’ culture” and the resiliency the city has shown through her lifetime. She was raised by immigrant parents and understands the cultural and boundary issues that 1st and 2nd generation Americans could face. Han is also bilingual in Vietnamese-English.
She works with adolescents, individuals, groups, couples, and families dealing with depression, anxiety, marital issues, mistrust, addiction, grief, and trauma. Her main approach to counseling has been eclectic, including: Rational Psychology, Rogerian, experiential, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). She is currently expanding her counseling skills by studying Story-Informed Trauma Therapy.
Becky is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and a Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT). She is a member of CAPS and AACC. She completed a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Life experiences have led her to persevere even when circumstances are overwhelmingly painful and do not make sense. Having the tiniest amount of hope is sometimes all the light we need to face one more day. God has been and continues to be that hope and light in the darkest moments of her life. Her five amazing children are her joy in life. Teaching and helping them navigate a broken world with hope and love brings the Kingdom of God near and into focus daily. Right alongside her children, is the honor and privilege of walking with others in their life journeys to help bring safety, support, and healing in whatever ways are needed.
“We repeat what we don’t repair.”
The Refuge 18-2