Dr. Carol Carlson

I treat psychological difficulties with a compassionate, yet results-oriented approach. When someone suffers from a medical disorder, a comprehensive assessment of the problem is required in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. If the diagnosis is incorrect, treatment will repeatedly fail. As a diagnostician, my focus is to treat people, many of whom have been non-responsive to previous psychological / medical treatment, in this same way. Only with a correct diagnosis will treatment be effective. Once determined, goals discussed, a treatment plan in place, the therapy begins. With time and work, individuals grow to experience enhanced emotional health, freedom from the emotional angst and suffering that previously existed, improved relationships, higher levels of consciousness, psychological insight, a stronger identity of oneself along with interpersonal and professional contentment.

Having lived in the four quadrants of the U.S.A., I have experienced differing cultures in each quadrant (and manners of speaking too!). I have worked with highly diverse populations of individuals in a plethora of arenas including: teaching hospitals; residential hospital programs in adolescent eating disorders and dual diagnoses with drug / alcohol addictions underlying severe psychiatric issues; Fortune 50 corporations; in-patient psychiatric hospitals; out-patient clinics; 6 Universities as a professor, in leadership or as a treating Psychologist; in the Courts as an expert witness, as an Executive Coach with CEO's, in private practice and even on Death Row at San Quentin. My therapeutic approach goes very deeply into understanding WHO you are in an interactive style that combines psychodynamic therapy with Jungian, Humanistic, Psychoeducational, Mindfulness, Attachment-Focused, Interpersonal, Crisis / Trauma Therapy; Holistic; Acceptance / Commitment therapeutic approaches along with being results-oriented and Solution-Focused.

A particular theory that underlines my work is called, "Self-Psychology," and I also do integrate faith into the therapeutic process knowing that one's mind, heart (emotions), body and soul all need to be healed in order to be able to experience joy, peace, be fully content, authentic, self-actualized, whole, healthy and unique individual that you are.

In the first session, I want to get to know you starting with where you were born in order to develop a snapshot of WHO you are by hearing about your journey from birth that brought you to where you are today. It is essential to hear from you about what is on your mind and where you are emotionally. With my prior career in business working for Fortune 50 corporations, I seek to achieve measurable results in each session as I get to know you. As a Psychologist, I tend to be results-oriented in a highly interactive, engaging process.

Having been a professor at 3 Universities, I educate people so one's consciousness and understanding is expanded during the healing process. I do this by:

1. Providing wise counsel that goes beneath the surface of the feelings but also applies to the truth about complex emotions overall and how they seem to have evolved.
2. As a Psychologist, I am a comforter and encourager yet, I balance my empathy with also seeking to challenge you. I have found that human beings need to be challenged in order to grow, change and be healed from the psychological suffering that brought you into my office most efficiently.

As you leave my office after the first session, my hope is that you will have greater knowledge, insight, hope and clarity than you had before you walked in. Feelings will arise within you over the next week until we meet for another session when we will discuss those emotions.