Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Depression
How Carla works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCPC
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Years in practice
- 31
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Carla
Carla Dumas is a licensed clinical professional counselor with 31 years of experience in Illinois. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strains, anger, trauma and related mood concerns. Carla focuses on practical steps that can make day-to-day life feel more manageable.
Carla starts by listening. She treats each person as the expert on their own story and looks for existing strengths to build on. Sessions aim to clarify small, achievable goals rather than overwhelm with big plans.
Background and approach
Her work often includes straightforward conversations about relationships, blended family challenges, caregiver stress, codependency, and family of origin issues. She also supports people dealing with impulsivity, sleep problems, bipolar mood swings, and the effects of prejudice and discrimination. Carla uses a mix of proven methods to match what a person needs in the moment.
She draws on client-centered techniques to follow a person's lead, cognitive behavioral methods to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and trauma-focused ideas when past harm affects present life. She also uses emotionally-focused and solution-focused strategies to repair bonds and set clear next steps. People meet with Carla to sort through feelings, try new coping skills, and recover from loss or hurt.
Her style is steady and practical, aimed at helping someone make noticeable changes week to week.
What Carla works with
Everything Carla lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Carla's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Trauma and abuse
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Impulsivity
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Personality disorders
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Women's issues
Approaches Carla lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches for online care
Carla commonly blends client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy in online sessions. Client-centered work means the conversation follows the person's priorities and emphasizes their strengths to guide change. This approach helps when someone needs space to tell their story and decide what matters most.Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. CBT is useful for worries, low mood, sleep issues, anger, and managing daily stress with clear exercises and homework between sessions.
Finding the right approach is collaborative. The therapist and client review goals and try methods that match current needs and preferences, adjusting over time as progress happens. Carla will help choose which methods to focus on so work feels relevant and doable.
Online sessions can use video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is good for in-depth conversations and nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can fit a busy schedule and need less bandwidth. Live chat and text are helpful for brief check-ins, writing through thoughts, or when a quick plan is needed between longer sessions. These options aim to make therapy flexible and easier to fit into everyday life.
Questions people ask about Carla
What concerns does she help with?
She supports people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strains, anger, trauma, bipolar mood issues, ADHD, sleep problems, and life transitions.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and person-focused. She listens first, then helps set small, achievable goals and teaches coping skills.
How much experience does she have?
She has 31 years of professional experience working with a wide range of mental health and relationship concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, listed as LCPC, and practices from Illinois.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
What session formats are available?
She meets with people using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.