269-953-0116 (text or call)
WELCOME
Hi. I am Carmen. I am currently accepting new clients for telehealth in Texas, Massachusetts, and Indiana.
Here is the part where I tell you that you are courageous for taking this step, for coming to this website (and you are). Now, I will normalize the mixed feelings you may have as you consider therapy - eagerness, trepidation, shame, sadness, desperation, etc. (all of which are normal).
Alright, now that we have gotten the cliché therapy website introduction out of the way, I will describe a bit more about my background, my style (therapeutic, not aesthetic), and how I practice (including my proclivity for profanity) for you to determine if we may be a fit.
About Carmen
I am a cis-het, white, woman in my 30s. I was adopted from Romania and grew up as an only child in the Midwest. I am un-partnered and I don't have children; I learned a lot about those intersecting identities through the pandemic.
In 2015, I recognized that the number of graduate degrees I collected would not correlate to my overall sense of self worth and value, so I stopped at four. I made the transition from my previous career path - an aspiring Political Science academic - to training to be a psychotherapist. Instead of degrees, I now collect experiential trainings and ALL the therapy.
When not actively therapizing (or being therapized), I can be found with a mug of coffee and a book -or- profusely sweating while Pelotoning. I call this balance.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
EMDR
Subsequent Advanced EMDR Training:
Behavioral/Substance Addictions
Deep Shame and Dissociation
Virtual EMDR
Easy Ego State Interventions
EMDR and Somatic Psychology
Perpetrator-Identified Parts
Participant in monthly reading group
GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
Member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)
Student of the Center for Group Studies
Participant in weekly process-oriented training group
EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIES
Participant in Minding the Heart experiential training group focused on IFS, AEDP, and Coherence Therapies
Ongoing IFS-informed training
Participant in monthly IFS reading group
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS
Community Mental Health (2 years)
Inpatient Acute Psychiatric Hospitals (4 years)
Adolescent Dual-Diagnosis Residential Facility (1 year)
Nonprofit Agency (5 years)
EDUCATION
B.S. Central Michigan University (2011): Political Science, Psychology, Leadership
M.A. Central Michigan University (2013): Master of Arts in Political Science
M.P.A. Central Michigan University (2014): Master of Public Administration
M.A. University of Notre Dame (2016): Master of Arts in Political Science
M.S.W. Indiana University (2018): Master of Social Work (Mental Health and Addictions)
ACTIVE LICENSURE
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Indiana & Texas
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Massachusetts
AM I THE RIGHT FIT?
My approach to therapy strongly resembles my personality, I am always growing and so to is my practice. My clients have come to appreciate (and roll their eyes) when I return from a training with something new and exciting that I am eager to integrate.
I believe that the strongest indicator of a successful therapeutic relationship is just that... our relationship. My hope is that through the course of therapy, we will be able to utilize our relationship to heal early attachment wounds to allow for the full expression of the range of emotions that many of us have learned to ignore, fear, or avoid. If I do my job right, we will have the opportunity to experience ruptures and repairs in real time, that will translate into vibrant relationships in the real world.
I am passionate about the experience of shame and the way it impedes individuals from living authentically. I work well with the high-achiever, who believes their worth is based on their accomplishments. I find it an honor to witness individuals find the freedom to come alive in the identities they feared they could never own. I celebrate each time a human shifts from acknowledging and being liberated from their trauma histories, because there is no such thing as "too much" within our relationship.
I work with adolescents 13+ and adults of all ages. I have extensive training in treating trauma (complex and related to specific incidents), anxiety, depression, disordered eating.
I have experience with LGBTQIA+ folx and individuals in polyamorous and kink communities. I utilize a Health at Every Size lens and am a strong advocate of size inclusivity.
SERVICES PROVIDED
All services are provided via telehealth.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
This time is for you and it is an honor for me to share the space with you. I am adaptive in my approaches based on the needs and desires of each person. I bring a lot of myself into the session including the well-timed f-bomb and my snarky sense of humor. There is no way to "do it right" when it comes to therapy (though, believe me, I've tried). My hope is that in our time together that you will find your way toward being your authentic self, whatever that might mean for you.
SHAME PSYCHO-EDUCATION GROUP
I have created the curriculum for a 12-week, closed, psychoeducational group on the topic of shame. The first six weeks are based on a theoretical model for understanding the way that shame brings us away from our experiences in the present. The second half of group is thematic and is focused on confronting topic-specific narratives on the topics of: body image, family of origin roles/trauma, religion, sex/sexuality, and money/"success."
Individuals may participate in this group one time, they may repeat it, or they may choose to go onto a process group upon completion.
PROCESS GROUP THERAPY
Group as modality is challenging to explain, it's one of those "you had to be there," types of experiences. I describe group to many of my clients as having the opportunity to try something new, such as: expressing an uncomfortable emotion in the presence of others, taking up more space (or sharing space, depending on your nature), learning how to express needs and desires. Group often replicates a family system and allows for the healing of old wounds, some of which you may not have known where there. Read more about Group Therapy as described by the American Group Psychotherapy Association.
PROCESS-ORIENTED TRAINING GROUP FOR THERAPISTS
As therapists, it is important that we have our own space to process our experiences in order to grow personally and professionally. Different from a supervision group, process-oriented groups focus on the inter-personal relationships between peers and toward the leader. As a group comprised only of therapists, individuals have the ability to bring to the group clinical content to explore what is coming alive for them.
This group is particularly geared toward individuals who are interested in group psychotherapy as a modality in their own practices.
ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY
Sometimes it is helpful to have a treatment team of practitioners for you to get your needs met. I have experience collaborating with an individual's primary therapist to provide augmentative EMDR or IFS-informed parts-identification work to assist with the work they are doing in individual therapy.
INTENSIVE THERAPIES
There are times when 50 minutes is just not enough. There are times when it may be a collaborative decision (or my recommendation) that an 80 minute session may be more suited for the type of work that we are doing.
Sometimes, more is needed. I also offer 3-hour intensive sessions. While I am predominantly a telehealth provider, there are times when in-person intensives can be scheduled (in Indiana, Texas, and Massachusetts). I am glad to discuss what that opportunity might look like.
FAQS
HOW LONG ARE SESSIONS AND WHAT IS THE COST?
Individual Therapy: 50 Minutes - $150
Individual Therapy: 80 Minutes - $225
Individual Intensive: 3 Hours - $500
Group Therapy: 90 Minutes - $50
Please contact me for a free, 20-minute phone consultation to determine whether to schedule an intake.
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
I do not accept insurance, I can provide a Super Bill (insurance jargon) that shows the services I have billed and associated fees. You may be able to receive some reimbursement from your insurance. I am considered an "Out of Network" Provider.