Tammy Carson

Hi There! My name is Tammy Carson and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California working with clients statewide via telehealth. Something has brought you here today, and I'd like to help. if you're dealing with psychological, emotional, behavioral, relational, career, or stage-of-life issues, or if you've been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, I'm confident I can help.

My approach

I approach our work together from a compassionate, supportive, and strengths-based perspective. I believe you already have certain qualities, strengths, and coping skills to help you navigate life's issues and I will help you to discover, refine and implement those skills to move forward to enjoy the life you deserve. I use a proven cognitive-behavioral approach combined with acceptance & commitment therapy, attachment-based therapy, and brief-solution-focused therapy. I have a solid tool bag of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and together we will find the one that best suits you and gets the job done.

My focus

I have worked with many populations from children to Seniors, those with traumatic beginnings, to the severely mentally ill to those who are just feeling stuck and unable to move forward. My practice has been focused on anxiety, depression, eating disorders, life coaching, career counseling, infertility, adoption, relationship issues, premarital counseling, and couples counseling.

My communication style

While I am a supportive and compassionate listener, I'm also good at helping my client verbalize that which is difficult to verbalize. I will always be open and honest with you and be direct where necessary. I often use humor and metaphors to facilitate my client's ability to integrate and remember what we've discussed and learned. I may give "homework" where I think practice outside the session is helpful and I check in with my clients often to be certain therapy is helping and discuss where it is not. Communication is key to keeping things moving so you get the benefit of your time, and reach the goals we've set together.

My journey to mental healthcare

My reason for becoming a therapist can be summed up in one word. Purpose. I started out studying psychology in undergraduate school and was quickly sidelined by the allure of a business career. At some point in those 15 years in that field, I had the opportunity to implement mental health and career-related programs to help employees with anxiety, stress, career and decision-making issues. That's when I felt my real purpose and made the transition. Over the years, having the opportunity to see my clients prosper and move on to live healthy, full, and happy lives is what keeps me loving my work. I recently retired for a couple of years but truly missed making a difference in this world.

My goals for you

Ah, yes! Goals. I'm a big believer that the key to successful therapy is having specific and measurable goals that we set together, otherwise, how else will you know if therapy is "working" or not? Goals are unique to every client based on your history, your future, your situation, and your wants and needs.

My first session with you

During our first session (or two), you can expect to meet someone who will listen carefully as to why you are seeking therapy or counseling. Depending on that reason, I will do a bio-psychosocial history and may do some self-report testing to determine a baseline of mental health which we will revisit from time to time to measure your progress. We will discuss your goals for therapy in a "how will you know therapy worked for you?" approach. Most importantly, you will leave the first session with some practical ways to immediately relieve or reduce symptoms and increase hope that things will get better, be better and stay better.