Cara Sarelli

If you feel overwhelmed by a sea of things outside of your control— facing a new health diagnosis, a deep loss or the weight of anxiety—I am here to help you anchor yourself. I am a multi-state licensed therapist (CA, MA, WA, MD, SC) seeing clients online coast to coast on Tuesdays and Fridays. I am dedicated to helping you move from feeling boxed in to feeling empowered to make changes. My approach is centered on controlling the controllables. We will work together to identify the practical steps you can take today whether you are navigating through a career change or new stage in your life, or processing the deeper emotional impact of grief, trauma or chronic illness. I look forward to helping you find your footing and reclaim your sense of agency.

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model or that there's a silver bullet when it comes to mental health. I draw from neuroscience, positive psychology, CBT and DBT for practical coping skills and emotion regulation. Narrative Therapy can be helpful for reframing your story, if needed, while Reality Therapy can be effective for helping focus on what is available to you in the present moment. Whether we are using mindfulness to stay present or exploring how your faith provides strength, my goal is to give you the information and confidence you need to be your best self.

As a licensed clinical social worker, my focus is on meeting you where you are. Our first session will be one where we will get to know each other. This will include a basic assessment so that I can learn about your situation, your support, your strengths and any barriers you may be experiencing. Whether this is your first therapy session in your life or you have had years of therapy before, I will immediately provide a safe space and work at a pace that feels comfortable for you to build trust.

Therapy is a partnership and I advise all clients, whether they choose to work with me or someone else, to try for at least two sessions and then decide if you think the person will help you. If you try a new therapist and you don't feel that they can help you, do not be discouraged; keep trying until you find the right fit. If you have never had therapy before, the first session can feel like a lot for some depending on what is going on with you and if you are not used to practicing vulnerability, but my approach is warm, calm, gentle and non-judgmental. I will work with you to identify your therapeutic goals.