2017 Health Care Champions Therapist: Carrie Thomas

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

Resume Highlights

• Bachelor’s in cultural anthropology and master’s in social work, Missouri State University

• Eight years with Fresenius Medical Care as a medical clinical social worker

• Two years as adult and adolescent therapist for The Victim Center Inc.

As a licensed clinical social worker and owner of therapy services provider Carrie Thomas LLC, Carrie Thomas understands the importance of mental health.

On a daily basis, she works with patients – children and adults – to improve their states of mind when it comes to disorders or trauma.

“I get to witness the most tender parts of humanity,” Thomas says. “When I have the opportunity to walk alongside someone through his or her struggle with emotional pain or isolation to find healing and connection, it’s an amazingly powerful experience that inspires me to continue to learn and grow within my profession.”

Two certifications are key to her Springfield practice. Thomas is a licensed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapist, as well as a certified Daring Way facilitator.

Through her EMDR work, Thomas seeks to erase or reduce emotional disturbances associated with negative experiences and memories by stimulating both of the brain’s hemispheres via eye movements or tapping. She examines the sensory experiences tied to such disturbances.

Using this technique, Thomas helped a teenage girl who was abused reduce her distress to a 0 from an 8 on a 10-point scale.

“She is now able to move through her day without the distraction of intrusive thoughts and fears related to that memory, allowing her to more genuinely connect with others and participate more fully in her life,” Thomas says.

Through Daring Way – a certification created by Dr. Brene Brown that Thomas says is rare in this area – she works with individuals, couples, families, work teams and organizational leaders to explore vulnerability, courage, shame and worthiness.

“Participants are invited to examine the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that are holding them back and identify the new choices and practices that will move them toward more authentic and wholehearted living,” Thomas says. “The primary focus is on developing some resilience skills and developing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent and lead.”

As a Daring Way facilitator, Thomas hosts local seminars and workshops to address universal human emotions.

Through child-centered play therapy and AutPlay – a play and behavioral therapy approach designed by Dr. Robert Jason Grant – Thomas helps kids and families affected by autism, attention deficit disorder, dysregulation issues and other neurodevelopment disorders.

Infinity Academy Director Brenda Bradshaw knows Thomas not only as a volunteer and parent of a student at the school for kids who need more individualized care, but also as a friend.

“Her expertise is a key ingredient to growing the confidence and self-esteem of all of our students, especially those on the autism spectrum,” Bradshaw says.

Thomas also launched an educational and social support group for young adults with Asperger’s syndrome or autism spectrum disorder.

“We discuss social challenges, life goals and problem-solving strategies,” Thomas says. “My No. 1 goal for these groups is to create an environment of belonging where people can come together and feel comfortable being accepted as they are.”