Carolyn McClung

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who offers warm, trauma-informed support to the perinatal community, women, teens, and children. I believe that reaching out for help is a deeply courageous step, and I feel honored to be trusted with each client’s story.

Originally from the U.K., I later moved to California, where I earned my MSW and began my work as a therapist. Now married with two young children, my own experiences of early motherhood, grief, and profound identity shifts have shaped both my clinical lens and my deep compassion for those navigating life transitions.

I have extensive experience supporting children, teens, and families through attachment-related challenges, emotional regulation, and relational stress. I also work closely with parents, caregivers, and partners, including families involved in foster care and adoption, offering strengths-based and adoption-competent care. At the heart of my work is a commitment to helping individuals and families gently break intergenerational patterns and build more connected, nurturing relationships.

I provide affirming care to LGBTQ+ clients and families, grounding my work in an empowering, decolonizing approach that honors each person’s lived experience. I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, including EMDR (I’m also an EMDR Consultant), parts work, somatic approaches, and CBT, to support healing that feels safe, embodied, and meaningful. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside individuals and families of all ages, offering compassionate support through the perinatal period, parenting, adolescence, and life’s meaningful transitions.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I meet clients of all ages where they are, creating a safe and supportive space where they feel seen and understood. I strive to be real and embrace the humanness in all of us, acknowledging that growth and healing are messy, imperfect, and deeply human. Grounded in attachment and strengths based care, I support clients in gently exploring patterns shaped by past experiences while building greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-compassion.

I tailor each session to the client’s needs, pace, and developmental stage, integrating EMDR, parts work, somatic approaches, and CBT. I can be playful, especially with children and teens, and use humor as a way to build connection and ease the therapeutic process. Above all, I view therapy as a partnership and feel honored to walk alongside individuals and families through the perinatal period, parenting, adolescence, and life’s meaningful transitions.

In the first session, I take time to really get to know you—your story, your experiences, and what brings you to therapy. I take a holistic approach, looking at your life, relationships, and current challenges with care and curiosity. I’ll share a bit about my approach and together we’ll start identifying goals that feel meaningful and supportive. With kids and teens, I often add a touch of play or humor to help everyone feel more comfortable. Above all, the session is about creating safety, connection, and a foundation for our work together.