Carissa Chandler, M.Ed., LPC
Mental Health Therapist - Oxford, MS
Hi, I'm Carissa! I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oxford, Mississippi.
I work with college students, adults, and couples who are looking for support as they navigate life’s challenges, hopes for improved wellness, and desire to better understand themselves. To me, the therapy should begin an understanding of your worldview and circumstances. Then, through shared exploration, we can assess what goals would support you in achieving desired change.
My wish is to accompany those wanting to take the next step - whether that step is a conversation, a skill, or another life change - into living more authentically and in alignment with their true self.
I have spent several years at The University of Mississippi providing individual and couples therapy services. I have also had privileges of providing clinical supervision, and instructing Mental Health First Aid and First Year Experience. All of these experiences have been supportive in growing aspects of my therapeutic practice, such as working with clients to learn skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and how to be effective in their relationships. I have a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I also have completed further training to provide support in addressing trauma, and relationship challenges with couples.
I want you to know that feeling unsure or overwhelmed is normal! You are not alone, though. I am here to help you find a place to start, and will be honored to come alongside you throughout the therapeutic journey. My therapeutic style balances person-to-person connection with a learning-style environment to support clients in moving forward with their goals for therapy. Whether you are curious about what therapeutic work could mean for you for the first time or for the next time, I hope to accompany you as you move towards improved wellness.
At Kaizen Counseling, we believe growth happens through steady progress — small steps that build meaningful and lasting change.
“In truth, we all inhabit the gray area in between. We all have our reasons, our justifications, and our best intentions, and yet often we stumble, we hurt one another, we make mistakes. That doesn’t make us good or bad. It makes us human.”
- Good Joy Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer
who do I work with?
I provide counseling services for:
-
Adults
-
Couples (in-person)
-
Parents/Caregivers
-
College Students
-
Teenagers
Clients often come to therapy with a wide range of experiences, including:
-
Anxiety & Chronic Stress
-
Depression or Low Motivation
-
Relationship & Couples Issues
-
Trauma Support
-
Grief & Loss
-
Eating & Body Image Concerns
-
Obsessive Thinking & Compulsive Patterns
-
Emotional Overwhelm
-
Life Transitions or Uncertainty
If you’re unsure whether therapy is the right step, an initial conversation can help clarify how counseling might support your goals.
how can I help?
I work with adults, couples, college students and teens navigating a wide range of challenges
— anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and more.
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Most people come in knowing something isn't working, even if they can't fully name it yet.
Anxiety & Stress
Anxiety tends to show up in patterns — overthinking, avoidance, tension that won't quit. We'll work to understand what's driving it, not just manage the symptoms, so the relief actually lasts.
Depression & Low Mood
Depression often looks less like sadness and more like flatness, low motivation, or going through the motions. Therapy can help you identify what's contributing and start building momentum again.
Relationship Challenges
Whether it's conflict, communication, or a pattern you keep repeating, therapy gives you space to understand what's happening and make real changes — not just short-term fixes.
Couples Therapy
Every couple gets stuck sometimes — in old arguments, disconnection, or patterns neither person chose on purpose. Therapy gives you a shared space to understand what's happening between you and rebuild from there.
Trauma Support
Processing difficult or painful experiences takes time and the right environment. I work at your pace to help you build safety, make sense of what happened, and move forward without it defining you.
Grief & Loss
Grief doesn't move in a straight line, and it doesn't run on a schedule. It can resurface in ways that catch you off guard, long after people expect you to have "moved on." We'll make room for what you're actually feeling, at whatever pace it comes.
Eating & Body Image Concerns
Struggles with food or body image are rarely just about food or the body — they often carry deeper questions about control, worth, or safety. Therapy helps you understand what's underneath and build a more workable relationship with both.
Obsessive Thinking & Compulsive Patterns
Intrusive thoughts and the rituals that follow can start to run the show, even when you know they don't make sense. We'll work to loosen their grip so you're not spending your energy managing your own mind.
Life Transitions
New job, new city, end of a relationship, graduation — transitions can be disorienting even when they're positive. Therapy helps you find footing when the ground has shifted.
Personal Growth & Self-Understanding
Not everyone comes to therapy in crisis. Some people come because they want to understand themselves better, make clearer decisions, or build a life that actually reflects their values. That's legitimate work too.
counseling services
I offer both in-person and teletherapy counseling sessions in Oxford, Mississippi
for individuals and exclusively in-person sessions for couples
providing counseling services to individuals throughout Lafayette County and the surrounding North Mississippi region.
Our practice, Kaizen Counseling, focuses on helping clients create meaningful progress in their mental health and personal lives.
Many clients come to us from nearby communities such as:
-
Oxford
-
Tupelo
-
Batesville
-
Pontotoc
-
Hernando
-
North Mississippi communities
payment options
Therapy is an investment in your well-being, and we aim to make services as accessible as possible.
Our team is glad to assist with questions about insurance coverage, deductibles, and scheduling.
I currently offer insurance and self-pay options.
( NOTE: Currently awaiting additional insurance credentialing approval! Contact us if you would like to be added to my waitlist for insurance, and we will update interested persons ASAP! )
-
Blue Cross Blue Shield
-
United Healthcare / UMR
-
Ambetter
-
Oscar Health
-
Self-Pay
_e.png)
Self-Pay
$150 initial session
$125 follow-up sessions
⚖️ Your rights and protections under the No Surprises Act You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your mental health care will cost. As a client receiving services from an out-of-network provider or choosing to self-pay (without using insurance), you are entitled to: A Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of services, provided in writing before your scheduled appointment. Information about all expected charges, including the cost of individual sessions, and any applicable fees. The right to dispute a bill if you are charged at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate. We are committed to transparency and helping you understand the costs of your care. You can request a Good Faith Estimate at any time. For questions or more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or contact our office directly.
If you are just getting started in your search for a therapist, or are looking to deepen your understanding of the options, please check out our page:
Kaizen’s Guide to Therapy.
(In general, mental health services are filled with different titles and technical jargon, and those things can make the search daunting, whether you are in Mississippi or anywhere else. We’ve included a brief tidbit at the bottom of the guide to summarize.)
schedule a therapy appointment
If you’re considering therapy, the next step is simple.
To schedule an appointment with Carissa Chandler, LPC, or to learn more about counseling services at Kaizen Counseling, please visit our contact page or reach out to our office.
Reaching out for support can be the beginning of meaningful change.
Start your counseling journey today and take the first step toward greater clarity, resilience, and well-being.