Hi! I’m Carlee! I’m an actor, singer, dancer, nanny, and teacher turned therapist. My hope as a therapist is to help you become the most you can be. There may be parts of you that you need help learning to accept or forgive. Our time together is a space for you to grow and explore who you are and who you are becoming. So no matter what season of life you find yourself in, it is my honor to join you, support you, and equip you to not only survive, but to thrive.
Things You Should Know
I love to laugh. I am unapologetically silly and weird. I don’t take myself too seriously, but I am serious about supporting you. I am a theatre nerd; my undergraduate degree is in musical theatre so breaking out into song is a normal occurrence. I care deeply about social justice and am LGBTQIA+ affirming. I work from a person-centered lens while implementing principles from several modalities such as, but not limited to, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and the Enneagram. I utilize expressive arts in my sessions as well because sometimes there are no words, but there is always something to communicate. I love big adventures and tasty food enjoyed alongside the people I love most. In my spare time you will likely find me with my family enjoying some live music, riding bikes, or watching tv shows.
Parenting
Parenting is tough. As a former teacher and nanny and current parent, I get it. I love helping equip both new and veteran parents with actionable strategies to help calm the chaos. I believe children (and adults!) have an innate need to be seen and understood. Sometimes, we adults struggle to “get it.” We act from our woundedness and struggle to be the sturdy parent our child needs. I would be honored to help you identify the needs beneath you and your child’s behaviors and provide you with support as you try things a new way. Often parents know what they don’t want to be like, but struggle to find an alternative that works for them and their children. I believe in sustainable strategies that respect the personhood of both parent and child.
FOOD AND BODY
I am passionate about helping people make peace with their bodies and their relationships with food because, boy, have I been there. Cultivating self-compassion, learning to cope with my emotions in new ways, and radically challenging my long-held beliefs about bodies and food changed my life. I aim to provide a safe space for you to do the work and find a new way forward. I work from a Health at Every Size perspective and am anti-diet and pro-intuitive eating. Freedom is possible. Let me walk with you toward it.
TEENS
Teens are my people and working with them as a teacher is what made me want to become a therapist. Developmentally, teens are trying to discover who they are and what they want. This can be scary and confusing, and their parents (no matter how wonderful) are the last people they feel comfortable processing things with. The teenage years are the perfect time to learn how to navigate tricky emotions and relationships. I provide support and education for teens to move into adulthood safely and confidently.
ADULTS
ADHD, anxiety, depression, life dissatisfaction, wanting a new level of self-understanding–wherever you find yourself I want to know about it and bear witness to your growth. You deserve to be seen and understood.
Ultimately, therapy is a collaborative process with you in the driver’s seat. Let’s partner together to help you move toward the future you want. Reach out to Texoma Specialty Counseling, and let’s set a time to chat!