Hi! My name is Carolyn and I absolutely love being a therapist! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to help my clients have happier and fulfilling lives and live the lives that they desire! I have a special interest in subconscious work, life purpose, self-love, and finding meaning in life, and these are my favorite areas to work with my clients on. But, just having a passion for this isn’t enough to effectively help you. Below I’ve included how I am also qualified through my training to help you:
My Style and Approach:
My style is more conversational and collaborative in my work with clients. Although I have training in being a therapist, my stance is that my clients are the experts on their lives. We will work together, through the lens of my training and your life experiences, to create treatment goals to help you live the life you desire. I don’t decide what you will be working on, it is a collaborative effort.
I see therapy as a way to promote self-awareness, growth, and change in a safe and comfortable environment. It’s an amazing investment that you are making in yourself to live a happier and more fulfilling life! It is not a place to simply vent about life problems, but instead figure out how and why you are affected by your life problems, what you can do about it, and for us to work together to heal some of the pains that you are carrying with you.
I also believe “therapy” is what takes place outside of the session and I work with my clients on identifying skills they can practice in between our meetings, “therapy homework”, as the implementation of the skills is where change happens. At the end of the day, the change that happens in your day to day life is much more important than what we discuss one hour per week in the office.
My education, licenses, and certifications:
I hold a Masters Degree in Family Therapy from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Services and a Minor in Music from Penn State University. I am dually licensed as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor). I am board certified as an NCC (Nationally Certified Counselor) through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
I have received Level 1 training in the Introduction to Hypnosis, provided by the Hypnosis Institute. This is also part of the certification process through The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and The Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
I also have been studying and learning more about spiritual psychology, energy psychology, and subconscious healing work and the benefits of these modalities. I additionally integrate parts work and Internal Family Systems theory into my sessions. I also “practice what I preach” and personally use this work, too.
I am certified in Prepare/Enrich , where I can work with couples seeking pre-marital counseling. Within the Prepare/Enrich model, I am able to work with couples from a standard approach or a biblical or Catholic approach. I have also attended Levels 1 and 2 of clinical training in Gottman Method Couples Counseling, which is an evidence and research-based approach on what makes relationships work. And I also have attended some basic training on Emotional Focused Couples Counseling and as this model focuses very much on attachment wounds and subconscious triggers, this approach is something I use quite a bit in my work with couples.
My experience:
I have worked in the mental health field since 2000, have worked with couples since 2011, and have provided clinical supervision to masters level therapists since 2014.
My work began as a case manager with adults who were diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness. I enjoyed this work so much, which is what inspired me to attain a Master’s Degree to be able to provide therapy, which I received in 2011.
Throughout my work history, I’ve worked with children, adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, and families. I’ve worked in settings including outpatient day programs, residential settings, community outpatient mental health centers, private practice settings, and in an emergency room. I’ve had roles including clinical case manager, group facilitator, crisis worker, psychotherapist, supervisor, and clinical director of a community mental health center. I’ve worked with people with severe and persistent mental illnesses through those coping with abuse or trauma, through those who are struggling to adjust to a new life situation.
Carolyn Cole, LCPC, LMFT, NCC 