ALYSSA CARL
MSW, LCSW, 500RYT, TCTSY-F
This human realm in which we have taken birth, is halfway between heaven and earth, and it is said to have fundamentally an equal measure of suffering and pleasure, of joy and pain, of loss and gain, of the mundane and daily punctuated by unspeakable beauty and oceans of tears
-Jack Kornfield
ABOUT ME
I remember riding the bus in elementary school with the scary neighborhood kid. Sometimes he used to make his dog chase me everyday when we got off the bus, which terrified me, but it didn't stop me from being curious about him. Occasionally, I sat in the seat next to him and asked him questions because I wanted to understand his life which I knew wasn't easy because I remember watching his parents argue on the porch in the evenings. One time his mom chased his father around the yard in the family van. That was the first of many experiences in my life that led me to pursue a career in mental health. I admire the strength, perseverance and resilience of people in the face of life's challenges. I believe in the inherent goodness of humans as well as our capacity to change, grow, and heal.
I received my bachelors and masters from Michigan State University. I began my social work career in the school system where I worked with adolescents for ten years. During this time it became apparent that providing "talk therapy" based interventions alone wasn't enough. Something was missing... the body. In order to better understand the mind/body connection and to manage my own stress, I began practicing yoga. Eventually, I went on to complete my 500 hour RYT teacher training.
My passion for a more holistic way of interacting with clients along with my interest in trauma led me to complete a program in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) at the Center for Trauma and Embodiement in Boston, MA. Following that I completed a trauma certification program headed by Bessel van der Kolk. Both programs are part of the Justice Resource Institute.
WHAT I DO
I specialize in PTSD, Complex Trauma the issues associated with trauma. I treat clients who present with difficulties such as: anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, inattention, dissociation, addiction, codependency, eating disorders and more. I combine yogic principles, Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga and talk therapy to provide a creative, holistic approach to healing. Working from a neurobiological perspective, I use methods that directly influence parts of the brain impacted by trauma. I am inspired by Internal Family Systems, Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. My areas of special interest are: sexuality and gender issues, women's issues, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and trauma.
Sessions generally last 50 minutes and are tailored to each client's individual needs and comfort level. In addition to talking, sessions may include yoga, trauma yoga, music, meditation, breath work, art and other creative activities and movement.
SPECIALTIES
Trauma – C-PTSD and PTSD
Relationship/Interpersonal Issues
TYPES OF THERAPY
Attachment-based
Senormotor Psychotherapy
Internal Family Systems
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Relational
Trauma Focused
AREAS OF FOCUS
Addictions
Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
Divorce
Eating Disorders
Sexuality and Gender Concerns
Women’s Issues
Co-dependency
Abuse
Domestic Violence
TESTIMONIALS
My Patients’ Experiences
"I have traveled through madness to find me"
-Danny Alexander
Alyssa Driver is the single best therapist I’ve ever worked with. I started seeing Alyssa two weeks after a six-week stint at an in-patient treatment facility in Illinois. At the time, I was a shell of a human, suffering from PTSD after multiple rapes and assaults. I was an unemployed alcoholic who had dropped out of school and was at a point of such hopelessness that I was never sure if I would make it through the day. With Alyssa’s kindness, resourcefulness, astuteness, and ability to help connect my emotional self with my physical self through trauma-informed yoga and breath work, I’m able not to just make it through the day, but to anticipate the next one with gusto. I am now employed, enrolled at Saint Mary’s College, and am 23 months and two days sober. I have a future because of Alyssa. gave me the tools to believe in a future.
GL, age 24
I thank Alyssa for being an amazing therapist. I can't tell you how much I needed someone who wouldn't give up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. I honestly believe that I am in the best emotional and mental shape that I can ever remember. I appreciate your guidance as I worked through so many dark places, memories and beliefs. I am stronger and ready to continue growing into the woman I want to be.
PM, age 47
CONTACT ME
225 N. Notre Dame Ave. Suite 5
South Bend, IN 46617
Phone: 517-410-6093
Fax: 866-676-9051
Call your individual carrier to find out specific benefits for behavioral health
Insurances accepted
Anthem/BCBS
Meritain
Aetna
CHA
I also accept private pay