Meet the Team
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Carly Raimondo
Owner/ Therapist
When I think about the process of therapy, I think of it as a beautiful dance between myself and the client. Chemistry, rhythm, and safety all are important factors. When everything falls into place, it becomes a beautiful, and some times painful , experience of growth. It is my greatest honor to join clients on their journey. I enjoy working with individuals, couples and families.
I am foundationally trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). DBT allows me to help clients dig in and discover themselves through mindfulness and self awareness. I also enjoy incorporating EMDR with clients who suffer with PTSD, Trauma, anxiety and depression. I work from a systemic lens, and look at how clients were raised, their relationships with others, as well as their boundaries. I ask myself, how do these things effect who a client is and impact on their mental health? My goal is to help you dig in and create healthy boundaries, limits and grace within yourself.
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Sarah Kwawu
Art Therapist, Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
I believe that every client is their own expert, and that a therapist’s job is to help a client remove barriers towards their growth and success. Each of us as parents, children, or individuals, have inner goals and inner goodness that can get lost along the way. Sometimes professional help is needed to bring about small changes and insights that result in big outcomes. I emphatically and enthusiastically support clients of all diverse backgrounds, and believe in affirming care for individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
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Alexis Mero
Intern
As an intern and Grit & Grace and a current student at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I believe that taking care of our mental well-being is just as important as taking care of our physical well-being. I have a strong interest in working with women and children. I am especially passionate about supporting them though transitions in life and helping them obtain personal growth. My goal is to foster an environment that is both welcoming and empowering where people feel safe, seen, and supported on their journey towards self growth and healing.
Carly M Raimondo, LMFT Owner/Therapist
I grew up in New York, in a small suburban town outside of the city. New York will always have my heart and I have since grown to love the South. After high school I headed south to attend Belmont Abbey College, Go Crusaders! I graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 2005 and my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University in 2010. I received my license in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2013. Since getting into the field of therapy I have worked in many therapeutic settings including, collaborative medical therapy, intensive in home, outpatient substance abuse, and private practice. I believe whole-heartedly in the therapeutic bond and joining process.
I believe therapy is essential to living a whole-hearted life. I practice from an integrative approach and utilize a systemic view based on the Bowen Family Systems perspective. This means I see not only the client in front of me, but also their family, environment, job, lifestyle, friends, and spirituality. I see how people are affected and impacted by the environments in which they live. I also incorporate emotion regulation skills and life skills taught from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I want you to leave therapy feeling like you have skills and tools to cope effectively through the messiest parts of life.
Therapy is a balance of Grit & Grace and I am honored to walk with you on this journey to growth and change.
When I am not practicing therapy I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love reading, working out (hello, Peloton!) yoga, attending Charlotte FC games, hiking with my sweet dog, Lucy , cooking, and traveling.
I am a mom of two young boys, Grayson and Hudson. Raising kids is hard! I couldn’t do it without my partner and husband of 14 years, Danny. Being a mom has taught me patience, love, acceptance and above all, Grit & Grace!
Sarah Kwawu
Art Therapist, Marriage and Family Intern
Although originally from New Jersey, I’ve always had the travel bug. After completing my bachelors at Arcadia University outside of Philadelphia, I moved to New York City to continue my training, getting my masters in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute in 2012. During the launch of my career in New York, I had the privilege of working across the spectrum; individuals with developmental disabilities, elderly clients at day programs, therapeutic nursery schools and with families in need. In 2017 I felt a larger calling to take my work abroad, which led me to a rich experience in the US Peace Corps and subsequent work opportunities with youth and families in both Ghana and Morocco.
Since coming back to the US in 2024, I knew that I wanted to expand my training to include relational dynamics, as I believe this to be the heart of our wellbeing and wholeness as human beings. This led me to pursue the next step in my training by working towards a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy through Kairos University, which is currently in progress.
Art therapy allows the clinician and client the ability to harness both imagination and creativity to rewrite your story, discover through play, and express beyond words. Whether you are an artist or not, your art can be a window to an undiscovered world, a springboard for conversation, or a meditative contemplative space. Combining the fluidity of art therapy, the evidence based concept of cognitive behavioral therapy, and the cultural humility and justice orientation of both contextual and narrative methods, I want our therapy space to feel safe, empowering, cozy, and insightful.
Alexis Mero
Intern, Senior at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Hi! My name is Alexis Mero. I am a senior at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where I am currently majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Women and Gender Studies and a minor in Psychology. I’m currently interning at Grit & Grace Therapeutic Services, where I’ll be helping out behind the scenes with things like creating social media content and helping out the team wherever it is needed.
Although I am a proud New Yorican, I have spent the majority of my life in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, where I have built a wonderful community for myself. Throughout my studies at UNCC I have learned so much about how I can make a difference in my community, especially when it comes to advocating for marginalized groups. I’m especially passionate about serving women, children, and immigrants.I have always been passionate about mental health and helping others whenever I can. I was raised by a single mother with four children. Growing up in that environment showed me the importance of community care and resilience. I am so excited to be the newest addition to Grit & Grace and to take my first steps in the world of mental health services.
