Carolina Garrastegui
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 12 years of experience helping children, young adults, and families navigate emotional and behavioral challenges. I specialize in anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, emotional regulation, family relationships, and life transitions. I especially enjoy supporting parents who feel overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, parenting challenges, or family stress, as well as college students and young adults navigating academic pressure, relationships, independence, and personal growth.
I help parents, college students, and young adults navigate anxiety, stress, parenting challenges, relationships, and life transitions. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on practical strategies for meaningful change.
My therapeutic approach combines compassion with practical, evidence-based strategies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Triple P Positive Parenting Program. I believe therapy should be a collaborative experience where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to make meaningful changes. I offer morning appointments for parents who prefer sessions during school hours, college students with flexible schedules, and individuals who enjoy starting their day by prioritizing their mental health.
First session
During our first session, my priority is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and understood. We will discuss what brought you to therapy, the challenges you are experiencing, and what you hope to achieve. I will ask questions to better understand your background, current concerns, relationships, and emotional well-being. We will begin identifying your strengths and exploring goals that are meaningful to you. There is no pressure to share everything at once. My approach is supportive and collaborative, and I want you to feel comfortable moving at your own pace. Together, we will begin developing a plan that fits your needs and helps you move toward positive change.
Strengths
I bring empathy, patience, clinical experience, and a practical, strengths-based approach to every session. I believe clients benefit from feeling genuinely heard and understood, while also learning strategies they can apply in their everyday lives. My background in CBT, PCIT, and Triple P allows me to help clients better understand their emotions, improve communication, strengthen relationships, and develop effective coping and parenting skills. I tailor my approach to each client’s individual needs and goals. My sessions are collaborative and supportive, with a balance of reflection, practical problem-solving, and encouragement. I want my clients to leave therapy not only feeling supported but also equipped with tools to create positive changes.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to better understand themselves, overcome challenges, and create positive changes in their lives. I especially enjoy working with parents who feel overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities, family conflicts, emotional stress, or the challenges of balancing their own needs with those of their children. I also enjoy supporting college students and young adults who are navigating anxiety, academic pressure, relationships, self-esteem, and the transition into independence and adulthood. Whether you are a parent seeking practical strategies to improve family relationships or a young adult trying to find your direction, my goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel understood, develop healthier coping skills, and build confidence in managing life’s challenges.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and build practical skills to manage anxiety, stress, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions. My goal is to help clients feel more confident and capable of navigating everyday challenges.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I use a solution-focused approach to help clients identify their strengths, set realistic goals, and find practical solutions to everyday challenges. Rather than focusing only on problems, we explore what is already working and build on those successes. Whether you are managing parenting stress, navigating college life, adjusting to changes, or experiencing relationship difficulties, I work collaboratively with you to develop strategies that support meaningful progress and greater confidence.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- FloridaLicense MH18495