Welcome! Are you feeling frozen, avoidant, exhausted, disconnected, or uncertain in life? Many of us do from time to time and this is where psychotherapy makes a difference. My passion as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist is helping those struggling with unresolved issues that can block personal growth and vibrancy. Some signs of being stuck appear as thought spiraling, rumination, thought or image intrusions, an increased self-critical voice, physical discomforts, sleep issues, irritability, despair, avoidance, isolation, and worrisome behaviors.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

I work collaboratively with you to tailor personalized treatment so you can identify and articulate your barriers, gain insight about signs and symptoms—including the body’s relation to mental health, then work to get unstuck. My approach working with minors is to support them in an age appropriate manner and that often includes therapeutic play to support their growth. For in-person, I offer an array of art materials including the space and creativity to support self expression. During our first session, we will review your intake forms and engage in conversation so I can complete the documented assessment. We will then collaborate on a tailored treatment plan with achievable and measurable goals that hold us each accountable. For minors, parents are encouraged to attend the initial session. If you’re ready to experience growth, insight, and healing, reach out, and let's begin building our therapeutic relationship.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I present in life true to my middle-class upbringing in a multi-cultural, blended family inclusive of generations of Veterans, First Responders, homemakers, and blue-collar workers. I’m told by Clients that I’m collaborative, warm, supportive, and curious. Throughout my education at Antioch University, Los Angeles, a nonprofit and social justice-focused school, I developed my stance for inclusivity and skills as an ally. I add an eclectic and social psychology lens to my trauma-informed practice. If desired, I will support you in identifying narratives, experiences, beliefs, oppressors, and constructs that may be the root of internal conflict and suffering. Together, we can explore what is preventing you from stepping into your authentic self. Rooted in a relational therapeutic approach, I blend evidenced-based modalities like CBT, ACT, DBT, CPT, and EMDR with complementary approaches such as Jungian-based (shadow/light, archetypes, myth, true-self), expressive arts (writing, art-making/viewing, music), compassionate and mindfulness-based stress reduction (meditation, grounding, visualization), narrative, and attachment-based therapy.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

People I work with identify their mental health issues in the mild to moderate range. They have either emerging or acquired insight about their struggles and are motivated to engage in therapy. Often they recognize experiences of past trauma and desire to regain functioning at home, work, school or in the community. Others present with focused or general issues causing acute discontent and seek support to move through this phase and gain balance, personal insight, and coping skills. I welcome Clients of all ages and enjoy working with children, teens, and young adults transitioning to college. I do not provide psychological testing or court/custody evaluations. I hold a specialization in the treatment of conflict and non-conflict related trauma for civilians, Veterans, and First Responders (inclusive of teachers, medical, and fellow behavioral health professionals). My clinical resume includes positions with County Behavioral Health ACCESS and MERT (Mobile Emergency Response Team); County Superior Court/Criminal Court; Parents Center (working with at-risk youth, those in Foster Care, and their families/caregivers); Cancer Support Community-Los Angeles (working with folks impacted by cancer and caregivers); Residential/PHP/IOP/OP treatment centers focusing on disordered eating, substance abuse, and dual diagnosis; providing clinical services for First Responders on workers comp impacted by trauma and/or chronic pain; in group practice treating local teens, college age, transitional age youth, adults, couples, and families.

About Carrie Likeness