Karisa Haverkamp
Hometown: Brantford, ON
Occupation: Psychotherapist Pivate Practice, Part-Time Model and Actor
Karisa Haverkamp is a clinical counsellor, crisis worker, and advocate for women’s resilience and healing, whose life has been shaped by service, survival, and purpose. Raised between rural Ancaster, Ontario and St. Louis, Missouri, she was homeschooled while helping care for her nine younger siblings. From the age of six, after discovering the lives of Mother Teresa and Florence Nightingale, she felt called to serve those in suffering, leading her to begin volunteering at a crisis center at 15 and continue through her high school and university years.
Karisa earned an Honours degree in Clinical Psychology, followed by frontline work supporting women escaping domestic violence, navigating custody battles, teen pregnancy, addiction, and complex trauma. Witnessing the depth of need in this field led her to pursue further training, completing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology while continuing her work on the frontlines.
During university, Karisa survived sexual violence, an experience that led to PTSD and depression. Through her recovery, she deepened her commitment to creating safe, compassionate spaces where women feel seen, heard, and empowered to transform pain into strength.
After becoming a mother to four children, Karisa founded her own private practice focused on women’s mental wellness and worked with Indigenous communities addressing intergenerational trauma and systemic oppression. At 34, she stepped into modelling and acting, using her platform to amplify her advocacy. Today, she embodies “beauty from ashes,” dedicated to empowering women to rise, heal, and lead with purpose.
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What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
- Reading
- Modelling
- Running
- Paddle boarding
- Hiking
I enjoy hiking the most because it is in nature and active.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Music:
- Piano grd 10 RCM
- Flute grd 10 RCM
- Voice
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
- Soccer
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My children. They have shaped me to become a better person. Passion and purpose I do what I do for them. Having children keeps me honest and grounded and growing.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
I won the provincial flute competitions. But I would say building my own private practice while having four children is my proudest accomplishment.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I used to be a certified doula for under priviledged women
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I am writing a book: Demons into allies.
I want to create podcasts and travel as a public speaker and advocate. Helping women to dismantle trauma shame narratives and live in connection, empowerment and hope.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
Already have it: psychotherapist and model/actor
one is my purpose and one is my passion: Miss Universe is my dream job because this is where passion meets purpose for me.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
Raised in rural Ontario for part of my childhood and central USA for part of my child hood. My childhood required a lot of responsibility early because I was the second oldest of eleven it was through this that I develop my ability to care give.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I am Indigenous and used to work doing therapy with children experiencing complex trauma at their homes on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve.
List any volunteering you have done.
Volunteered at crisis center downtown Brantford for 5 years through university every summer.
What is your most unusual talent?
Homesteading
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
Peru: went bareback horse riding, saw Machu Pichu and Cuzco
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
I hope to be on my second book, have a foundation for survivors of sexual trauma, travel globally speaking about find hope in connection and healing from personal integration work. I survived trauma and found a way out of the shame and hopelessness, I don’t want any woman to helpless or alone.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I have four beautiful children!