Licensed to practice in Texas and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Child or Adolescent, Grief, Trauma and PTSD and 5 more.

Carla Elbel, PhD

(she/her)

LP, 2 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

About me

I built my practice on a simple belief: people deserve a space where they feel seen, supported, and understood. My work in clinical psychology is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s story. Whether someone is navigating anxiety, healing from trauma, or simply trying to make sense of a difficult season in life, I aim to create an environment where they can breathe, settle, and begin the work of growth. Clients often describe me as steady, approachable, and easy to talk to. I value clear communication, gentle guidance, and a collaborative approach that honors each person’s strengths. My practice is designed to feel welcoming from the very first interaction — from the intake process to ongoing sessions — because I know how vulnerable it can be to reach out for help. I’m drawn to evidencebased care that still leaves room for humanity. I enjoy learning new therapeutic tools, refining clinical systems, and creating a practice that feels both professional and deeply personal. My goal is always the same: to help people feel safe enough to explore, supported enough to heal, and empowered enough to move forward. Outside of session, I stay curious about the human experience — reading, learning, and exploring ideas in psychology, wellness, and personal growth. At the heart of my work is a genuine belief in people: their resilience, their capacity to change, and the meaningful transformations that happen when they feel truly supported.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a sense of safety and trust. We’ll start by talking about what brought you in, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to get out of therapy. You don’t need to have the “perfect” words or a clear plan — many people come in unsure of where to begin, and that’s completely okay. I’ll guide the conversation gently and help you find a comfortable starting point. We’ll also discuss your history, any current stressors, and the goals or changes you’d like to work toward. My approach is collaborative, so we’ll make decisions together about what feels most helpful for you. You can expect a calm, supportive environment where you can speak openly at your own pace, without pressure or judgment. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of how we might work together, what therapy can look like for you, and the next steps moving forward. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, understood, and a little lighter than when you arrived.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My approach stands out because I focus on creating a therapeutic experience that feels both deeply human and genuinely supportive. I don’t rush clients, push quick fixes, or rely on one-size-fits-all strategies. Instead, I take time to understand your story, your strengths, and the patterns shaping your life. I believe healing happens when you feel safe enough to be honest and supported enough to explore what’s beneath the surface. I blend evidence based practices with a warm, relational style that helps you feel grounded rather than overwhelmed. You can expect clear communication, practical tools, and a collaborative process where your voice matters. I pay close attention to the emotional tone of our sessions — making sure you feel heard, respected, and never judged. Clients often tell me they appreciate my steadiness, my ability to make difficult conversations feel manageable, and the way I help them connect insights to real-life change. My goal is to create a space where you don’t just talk about your challenges — you actually feel supported in moving through them.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work with children, adolescents, and adults, offering developmentally informed support that meets each person right where they are. With younger clients, I create a gentle, engaging environment that helps them feel safe expressing themselves, exploring emotions, and building healthy coping skills. With teens, I offer a grounded, relatable space to navigate identity, stress, relationships, and the challenges that come with growing up. With adults, I provide steady, compassionate guidance through life transitions, emotional struggles, and longstanding patterns that may be holding them back. I tailor my approach to each stage of life, ensuring therapy feels accessible, age appropriate, and genuinely supportive for every client who walks through the door.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Identifies as

Serves ages

Children (6 to 12)

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Eclectic

I use an eclectic treatment approach, which means I draw from several evidence based modalities to create therapy that is flexible, personalized, and responsive to your needs. Rather than relying on one single method, I integrate the approaches that best support you in each moment — helping you build insight, develop skills, and experience emotional healing in a way that feels safe and grounded. Using an eclectic method allows therapy to evolve with you. Some sessions may focus on emotional processing, others on skill building, insight, or motivation — depending on what feels most helpful. This flexibility ensures that our work is always tailored to your needs, your pace, and your lived experience. My goal is to create a therapeutic experience that feels personal, effective, and deeply human — one that supports you in healing, growing, and reconnecting with your strengths.

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

AEDP guides the emotional heart of my work. I help you slow down, tune into your experience, and process emotions with support and compassion. This approach focuses on healing through connection, allowing you to move from distress toward clarity, relief, and a deeper sense of inner strength.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

For clients working through trauma or stuck patterns of thinking, I integrate CPT to help identify and shift beliefs that may be keeping you in cycles of fear, shame, or selfcriticism. This work supports you in making meaning of your experiences and moving toward a more empowered narrative.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

When structure and skills are needed, I incorporate DBT tools to help with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. These strategies can be especially helpful during moments of overwhelm, giving you practical ways to stay grounded and navigate intense feelings.

Humanistic

Humanistic principles shape the tone of our work. I hold space for your authenticity, your strengths, and your inherent capacity for growth. You are not a set of symptoms — you are a whole person with a story that matters. This perspective helps therapy feel warm, respectful, and deeply collaborative.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.