Hi, I’m Carlene!

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Simpsonville, South Carolina focusing on mental health wellness and interpersonal relationships. I primarily work with women and teen girls (age 15+) specializing in depression (mood disorders) and anxiety disorders. I have training and experience working with grief/loss and perinatal issues (infertility, miscarriage, difficult delivery, and postpartum depression).  I often work with women on issues related to work/life balance and self care, relationships, sexual trauma, divorce recovery, motherhood/parenting, and caring for aging parents. I also work with couples wanting to improve communication and connection as well as those recovering from the trauma of infidelity/betrayal.

So here’s a few things about me: I’ve been married 34+ years. Yep, that’s a long time! And it’s been filled with good times, great times, and the worst of times. Long relationships are like that. We’ve got two adult children – and we think their awesome, despite the fact that we’re not perfect parents (is anyone?). And we have a spoiled golden retriever named Maggie. My Christian faith is the point of reference, the compass, for my life – it influences how I choose to live daily. I love reading books, blogs, mags – I’m curious about a lot of things and I love learning. When I’m not reading I’m usually listening to podcast or music (no particular genre – variety is the spice of life!). I try walking more days out of the week than not, but truth is I really don’t like to exercise because it keeps me from doing other things I enjoy so much more. Like traveling, decor projects, watching great movies, reading, eating good food (which is why I make myself do the walking thing), and I absolutely love spending time with my family and friends (some more than others…..just being honest!).

If you want to know more of the resume’ type stuff about me, I’ve provided that for you. During your first session, if there’s something you want more information on about by training, therapeutic approach, etc. just ask and I’ll be glad to help you get to know me to see if I’m a good fit for you to work with towards meeting your counseling goals.

[expand title=”Counseling Experience” tag=”h3″]
After graduating with a B.A. in psychology and elementary education, I spent thirteen years teaching children and working with families in both public and private schools. During those years, my husband and I moved several times due to his job transfers while parenting two active children. We’ve lived in the SC Lowcountry, in the Midlands – both in Columbia and Lexington SC, Roanoke VA, and Greenville in the SC Upstate before moving to the SC Coastal region in 2018. I’ve spent time helping children, teens and adults through community service organizations, and served in church leadership roles as Director of women’s and children’s ministries. After moving to Greenville in 2005, I took the leap to follow my passion for helping others by earning my M.A. in mental health counseling and completing licensure requirements for the State of South Carolina.  I did internships in a private practice setting, a non-profit women’s shelter for victims surviving domestic violence, a non-profit center counseling female adolescents and women who were survivors of sexual abuse/assault, and in a university college counseling center. I have years of experience working as a Mental Health Counselor in a college counseling & career services center, adjunct faculty member teaching psychology, and as a Psychotherapist with a successful private practice in Greenville, SC.   In 2018 my husband and I moved to the beautiful SC coast where I grew up. I’m a counselor with Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center, and work in both the Conway and Myrtle Beach office locations.

As a psychotherapist/counselor, I’ve discovered that my best work is helping women. Especially in the areas of depression and anxiety, postpartum depression, work/life balance, parenting issues, grief recovery, and divorce care.  I’m also passionate about helping married couples heal from the deep wounds of infidelity in order to stay together – stronger in unity and love than ever before. My personal journey to wellness in these areas as well as additional therapy training/certifications have equipped me to better serve my clients.

I am committed to serving clients by providing the highest quality counseling/psychotherapy services. I’m dedicated to helping clients find effective solutions to life’s challenges; empowering them to thrive at home, school, work, in their communities, and in their relationships.[/expand]

[expand title=”Practice Focus” tag=”h3″]

I work with people from all walks of life – different faiths, races, and cultures – with various issues that bring them into counseling. My focus is client-centered…meeting you where you are in your circumstances without judgement and valuing who you are with acceptance. I work hard supporting my clients in their journey to achieve their counseling goals. I love what I do and I believe therapy is beneficial for everyone who chooses to engage in the process.

Individuals (primarily women)
Adolescents (primarily teen girls age 13 and up)
Adults (college age young adults – older adulthood)
Couples (dating, engaged, married/partnered)

Areas of expertise:

Stress, Anxiety, Depression – specializing in postpartum depression /perinatal disorders;  & grief recovery
Sexual Trauma and other forms of trauma
Personal growth (self-esteem, setting boundaries, perfectionism, decision making, etc)
Relationship issues;  Parenting concerns
Life transitions/adjustments;  Divorce care for women

Couples Counseling (dating, pre-marital and marriage/partner counseling) – specializing in infidelity/affair  recovery[/expand]

[expand title=”Therapy Approach” tag=”h3″]

My approach to counseling/psychotherapy is holistic – an integration of healthy psychological models with a foundation of biblical precepts.  People are physical, social, spiritual, and psychologically thinking and feeling human beings. I work collaboratively with clients to help them develop healthy patterns of thinking, behaving, and relating so they can experience satisfying relationships and thrive in daily life. My style is relaxed and relational. I provide a safe and supportive environment where people feel accepted, valued, heard, and cared for as they navigate the challenges and transitions of life.

I love what I do and believe therapy is helpful. I work hard to provide the highest quality of care to my clients. I’m an excellent clinician trained in various modalities and skilled in meeting the needs of my clients. I work hard and strive to be the very best mental health professional I can be for my clients. When a potential client’s needs are not in my scope of training or expertise, I try to provide them with the best referrals possible to help them find the treatment most beneficial for them. I treat people and care for clients the manner in which I want for my loved ones and for myself.

I use the following therapy models:

Person-Centered Therapy; Existential and Psycho-dynamic Therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Narrative Therapy; Acceptance-Commitment Therapy; Grief Recovery Therapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Prepare-Enrich for Pre-marital & Marital Counseling
Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Life Mapping, and Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness-Stress Reduction[/expand]

[expand title=”Speaking” tag=”h3″]

I’m available to lead workshops, and speak to groups or organizations on a variety of topics related to mental health wellness. Some of the topics I speak about are – but not limited to:

Parenting teenagers, Parenting college-age young adults, Marriage, Family
Work-Life Balance, Life stages and transitions; Women’s Mental Health
Impact of social media/screen time on mental health & relationships/communication
Building healthy relationships, Conflict resolution, Setting healthy boundaries
Stress & Stress-reduction, Mindfulness, Healthy self-care, Resilience building
Self-worth, Impact of the comparison trap and letting go of insecurity, Perfectionism
The value and challenges of personal growth, Time management, Goal setting
Anxiety, Depression, Postpartum Depression, Perinatal Disorders, Suicide awareness & prevention, Grief/loss and Grief recovery
Emotionally healthy spirituality; The Trauma of Infidelity
Recognizing mental illness and how/when to refer for counseling[/expand]

[expand title=”Credentials” tag=”h3″]

Licensure:
Licensed Professional Counselor
South Carolina #6399

Certifications:
Certified Grief Counselor
Certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator for Couples Counseling

Education:
B.A. in Psychology and Elementary Education (double major), Columbia College
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, Webster University

Memberships:
American Counseling Association
National Board of Certified Counselors
American Association of Christian Counselors[/expand]