About me I come to you offering 26 years of providing therapy as an NC-licensed clinical counselor. I am a Ph.D. candidate and am all but done with my dissertation research in psychology on trauma in breast cancer patients. My background includes PTSD, severe anxiety and depression, divorce, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, self-esteem work, grief work, sleep disorders, and chronic medical illness. I am a therapist who can meet you where you are and give you immediate skills that you can try for symptom relief, starting your journey to a healthier you. I practice cognitive-behavior techniques and will set measurable goals in therapy, providing tips for healthy coping techniques. I also offer psychotherapy sessions. It would be an honor to assist you in your healing. "We only live today once," let me help you make your days better. My history: I grew up in Waynesville, NC so I am a mountain girl. For now, I live near Charlotte, NC with my husband and 16-year-old son. We have a 7-acre working horse farm that we share with my retired showhorse, three rescue dogs, and a rescue cat. I am a two-time breast cancer survivor and my research for my doctorate is about breast cancer survivors and mental health, specifically PTSD, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life. I hope to empower you to have the quality of life that you deserve. "We will never live this day again - so let's make it a great one." -unknown author

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

The first session is fun. We get to know each other and talk about anything you want to work on moving forward. I believe you will find hope and a caring atmosphere in sessions. I am definitely a people-person and have a personality that is welcoming. I work hard to ensure you feel safe and find trust in our work together.

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

Professional experience 26 YRS as a Licensed Clinical Therapist I have experience in helping clients with stress, depression, PTSD, anxiety, divorce, major medical illness, coping with grief and loss, & sleeping disorders. Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Eating disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Body Image, Cancer, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication Problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Paranoia, Post-traumatic Stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Love, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Somatization, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues.

About Carla Gray, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Doctoral Candidate