Education
Masters in Clinical Psychology, emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy | Pepperdine University, 2020
About
Carissa Lataillade is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of Paladin Psychotherapy & Family Counseling, Inc. in Santa Clarita, California. She provides trauma‑informed, culturally responsive therapy for individuals and couples who want to understand their emotions, strengthen their relationships, and feel more grounded in their daily lives. Her style is warm, steady, and collaborative, offering clients a space where they can slow down, feel understood, and explore what they need with clarity and compassion. Carissa specializes in supporting women who carry multiple roles—caregivers, partners, parents, and professionals—often at the same time. She also works with premarital and committed couples who want to improve communication, deepen emotional connection, and build a strong foundation for the future. Her work integrates evidence‑based practices with a deep respect for each client’s lived experience, cultural background, and personal values. Carissa is known for her thoughtful presence, her ability to make complex emotions feel manageable, and her commitment to helping clients reconnect with themselves and the people they care about. She works well with clients who are ready to explore what’s been getting in the way and are willing to put the work in between sessions to support meaningful change. She believes therapy should feel supportive, practical, and empowering, and she helps clients navigate challenges with more confidence while creating lives that feel aligned with who they are.
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Message to clients
I work with women who are used to being the steady one for everyone else—holding the pieces together, showing up, and pushing through even when you’re exhausted. If you’re reading this, you might be realizing that something needs to shift. Maybe you’ve been carrying too much for too long. Maybe your relationships feel strained, or you’ve lost touch with the parts of yourself that used to feel grounded and clear. You don’t have to keep doing this alone. In therapy with me, you get a space where you can slow down, breathe, and actually hear yourself again. I’m warm, steady, and honest in a way that helps you feel supported while also moving toward real change. We’ll look at the patterns that keep showing up, the expectations that weigh on you, and the relationships that matter most. I’ll help you understand your emotional world, build skills that feel doable, and create shifts that last beyond the session. I work especially well with clients who are ready to explore what’s been getting in the way and are willing to put the work in between sessions—not perfectly, but with openness and intention. My goal is to help you feel more connected, more understood, and more aligned with the life you’re trying to build. If you’re wanting a therapist who brings compassion, clarity, and a grounded path forward, contact me now and let's see if we're a good fit!
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Race and ethnicity
Black
Cultural and experiential knowledge
Black culture
Languages spoken
English
Spiritual knowledge
Christianity, Catholicism
Location
Santa Clarita
Specialties
Anxiety, Life transitions, Self esteem
Additional areas of focus
Caring professionals, Couples counseling, Depression, Grief, Intercultural relationships, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Premartial counseling, Stress, Burnout
Therapeutic style
Direct, Empowering, Intellectual, Solutions-oriented, Humorous
Modalities
Narrative, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Strengths-based therapy, Mindfulness based
Cost
$200
/Individual Session
$250
/Couples Session
/Family Session
Sliding scale
Does not offer sliding scale spots
Insurance accepted
Aetna, Optum
Works with your out of network benefits to get you reimbursed for therapy
Click here to check your benefits with our free out of network benefits checker
Elizabeth Finnerty, PhD
Carissa is an outstanding therapist who provides excellent care. Her careful care for her clients is evident in the way she compassionately helps them achieve positive growth and acceptance. She is warm, collaborative, and truly meets her clients where they are in their mental health journey. I highly recommend Carissa!
Samantha Shepherd, LMFT
Carissa is a very passionate, educated, and ethical therapist. Carissa focuses a lot on evidence-based research in order to support the treatment she provides. She also has a very warm, compassionate heart which helps build rapport quickly with clients and provides that unique safe space that is so important in the therapeutic workspace. Carissa is a life-learner and is always working on how to become a better therapist. I often reach out to Carissa for consultation because I have a lot of trust in her work. She is someone I highly recommend and often refer out to.
Cherrylin A. Mucho, LMFT
Carissa creates a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for the people around her. As a therapist, she guides clients she works with to gain insight about their own cognition and behaviors without judgement. She is professional and is dedicated to learning the gold-standards in the therapy field and is knowledgeable on culture-sensitive issues.
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