We believe that we were created for more than survival - we were made to thrive.
Hi, I am Karissa Whitlatch, founder of Made to Thrive Wellness
Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, life transitions, the effects of stress on your mind and body, the joys and challenges of motherhood, pregnancy, postpartum, or infant feeding, it is my honor to walk alongside you with compassion, clinical excellence, and faith—because you were made to thrive.
A little more about me
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), EMDR trained, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C), Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, counseling PhD student, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
I never imagined this would be the path I would take, but through God’s gentle guidance, He continued to open doors and lead me exactly where I needed to be. My journey began at Phoenix Seminary, where I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling with Biblical Integration. Over the years, God has continued to reveal the purpose behind this work—the privilege of walking alongside people through some of life’s most painful seasons while witnessing healing, hope, and transformation.
None of us escape pain and suffering, but we were never meant to walk through it alone. We were created for connection, support, and the opportunity to move toward the life we were created to live—with purpose, hope, and the ability to truly thrive.
I love a good cup of tea, learning something new, the gift of motherhood, and the daily adventure of following Jesus.
My Journey Into Lactation
My passion for lactation support began through my own experience as a mother. When my first child struggled to nurse, I discovered how emotional and vulnerable the feeding journey could be. A lactation consultant who was also a mental health counselor supported both my baby and me, helping us find a path that honored our needs while protecting our relationship.
That experience changed the way I viewed lactation support. I learned that feeding is not only about nutrition—it is also about connection, confidence, and the bond between parent and baby. Whether you breastfeed, pump, formula feed, or use a combination, my hope is that you feel supported and connected throughout your journey.
My Approach
I work with individuals navigating anxiety, past trauma, grief and loss, postpartum challenges, difficult seasons of motherhood, relationship concerns, and the overwhelm that can come with major life transitions. I believe growth and healing happen when we are cared for as whole people—our thoughts, emotions, bodies, relationships, and faith.
As a trauma-informed therapist, I use approaches such as EMDR therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, parts-work, and attachment-based therapy to help clients better understand their experiences, build nervous system regulation skills, work through painful patterns, and move toward greater connection, confidence, and hope. My approach recognizes the connection between the mind and body and creates space to understand not only what has happened, but how those experiences may continue to affect the nervous system, relationships, and daily life.
For those who desire it, I also offer Christian counseling using therapeutic approaches grounded in biblical theology and a biblical worldview, integrating faith into the counseling process and honoring the connection between emotional well-being, relationships, and faith.
Supporting Mothers and Babies Through Lactation
As both a professional Counselor and a lactation consultant, I bring a unique perspective to supporting mothers during pregnancy, postpartum, and the infant feeding journey. I understand that breastfeeding and infant feeding are about more than nutrition. Feeding experiences can affect a mother's physical and emotional well-being, confidence, identity, relationships, and connection with her baby.
My approach to lactation consultation considers the whole picture. I look at both mother and baby, recognizing that many factors can influence feeding—including the baby's feeding skills and development, milk supply, pumping, maternal comfort, feeding routines, and the overall experience of breastfeeding or infant feeding. I work alongside families to identify challenges, provide practical and individualized support, and help them better understand what may be contributing to their concerns.
At the same time, my hope is for lactation care to support more than simply meeting feeding goals. I want mothers to feel supported and confident and for babies and mothers to have the opportunity to connect, enjoy one another, and thrive together. The feeding relationship can be an important part of the early relationship between a mother and baby, and I strive to provide care that supports both the practical aspects of feeding and the mother-baby relationship.
I believe caring for a baby also means caring for the mother. Lactation challenges can sometimes contribute to stress, anxiety, overwhelm, or feelings of discouragement, particularly during an already significant season of physical and emotional change. My background in counseling and perinatal mental health allows me to bring an understanding of maternal emotional well-being into my approach to lactation support while remaining focused on individualized, evidence-informed feeding care.
Whether you are seeking counseling for anxiety, trauma, grief, life transitions, or relationship concerns, or you are looking for breastfeeding support, pumping guidance, lactation consultation, or help navigating infant feeding challenges, my goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care that supports you and your family.
I am honored to provide counseling and lactation services in Gilbert, Arizona, and virtual counseling throughout Arizona. My hope is to help individuals, mothers, babies, and families move toward greater connection, confidence, and the ability to thrive.