Cerissa Rhodes LCSW

With over a decade of experience, I've been helping both kids and adults navigate their anxiety with confidence. I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). These evidence-based approaches empower my clients to understand and conquer their anxiety, become in control of the racing thoughts and worry, and build resilience for a brighter, calmer future.

With my advance training in treating kiddos with trauma, I have a significant knowledge of developmental expectations, play models, positive discipline and have taken specific parenting courses. I am a huge advocate for teaching parents how to parent in a positive manner utilizing natural consequences, positive discipline and helping kids to manage their own behaviors. Outside of therapy, I am a parent coach specifically for parents of children with anxiety.

I specialize in treating children 0-18 that have experienced scary or upsetting events. I am trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy which uses play therapy to strengthen attachment between child and parent. For those older children that have experienced trauma, I am trained in Trauma Focused- CBT, teaching them how to do regulate their strong emotions, correct thought distortions about their trauma and create a narrative along side their parents. These same skills teach kids to manage anxiety.

I bring over a decade of expertise and specialized training in using CBT to teach techniques that challenge thoughts, correct distortions, stop intrusive thoughts, and manage emotion. With a focus on specific focus trauma, anxiety, and OCD, I empower clients to reclaim control and thrive. CBT is the leading treatment for anxiety and OCD, as it reinforces the clients ability to change their thoughts, manage their emotions and have control of their behavior.

I use ERP to expose clients to anxiety triggers in a safe environment, helping them confront fears head-on. This evidence-based therapy is a game-changer for anxiety, phobias, and OCD. ERP teachings clients how to face their fears and anxieties in a controlled setting, gradually exposing them to triggers while learning healthy coping strategies, ultimately fostering resilience and empowerment. ERP combined with CBT is found to be the most effective treatment for treating anxiety and OCD.