LMFT, 10 years of experience
My name is Candace Walls, and welcome to Careful Heart Counseling Services. I am based in California and am a creative soul with a deep love for all things self-care. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over eight years of clinical experience and fifteen years serving Sacramento County’s community-based mental health and social service communities. I provide compassionate, personalized care to children, adolescents, young adults, women, and families. My approach integrates evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and play therapy, all delivered in a culturally sensitive and client-centered manner. I strive to create a supportive space where clients feel both challenged and deeply supported, like having someone who calls you out with love and holds you down no matter what.
In our first session, we will begin by getting to know each other and discussing your reason(s) for seeking therapy. I will provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to share your thoughts and feelings. Together, we will establish goals and explore potential strategies for addressing your concerns. Throughout our work together, you can expect a collaborative approach, where your input and feedback is valued. Our focus will be on building trust, respect, and empathy, as we navigate this journey toward healing and positive change together.
What sets my therapeutic approach apart is the combination of deep empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to collaboration. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel truly seen and heard, allowing trust and openness to grow naturally. I integrate evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), play therapy, and mindfulness techniques, customizing each session to fit your unique needs and goals. Whether we are focusing on improving emotional regulation, strengthening relationships, healing past wounds, or building resilience, I’m here to support you every step of the way. I pride myself on meeting you exactly where you are, whether that means gently building trust over time or diving deeply into transformative change when you’re ready. My goal is to empower you with insight, skills, and confidence to create lasting, meaningful growth in your life.
I am best suited to support children, adolescents, young adults, women, especially high-functioning Black women and women of color, and families who are ready for compassionate, personalized mental health care. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflict, ADHD, or the pressure of balancing multiple roles, I’m here to help. If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed, tired of just surviving, or stuck in patterns that don’t serve you, but you’re also motivated to heal and grow, you’ll find a safe, supportive space with me. My clients often come ready to explore their emotions, challenge old beliefs, and build healthier coping skills, but may feel unsure about how to start or afraid to be vulnerable.
With a strong foundation in family systems theory, I use family therapy to help families improve communication, resolve conflict, and rebuild connection. Over the past eight years, I’ve worked with diverse family structures facing a wide range of challenges, from parenting struggles and life transitions to deeper relational wounds and generational patterns.
With a deep understanding of early childhood development, I guide caregivers in tuning into their child’s needs, behaviors, and emotional cues. During sessions, both the child and parent participate together, allowing us to explore their relationship in real time. Through play, storytelling, and reflective dialogue, we work to create safety, rebuild trust, and promote healthy attachment.
In my practice through collaborative, client-centered sessions, I use MI to support clients who may feel stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed when facing important decisions or trying to make meaningful changes in their lives. Rather than directing or pushing for change, I partner with clients to uncover their own motivations, values, and inner strengths. Through open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirming their autonomy, I help clients clarify their goals and build confidence in their ability to take the next steps.
I am committed to providing culturally sensitive and affirming care that respects each client’s unique background, values, and lived experiences. I recognize that culture including race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and family traditions, shapes how we see ourselves, relate to others, and experience the world.
Whether we’re exploring how anxiety affects the brain, discussing the impact of trauma, or learning new coping tools, I tailor psychoeducation to each client’s age, learning style, and needs. With children, this might include using books, visuals, or play-based explanations. With teens and adults, it may involve open conversations, handouts, or skill-building exercises. My goal is to empower you with knowledge so you can make informed choices, better understand yourself, and feel more confident in your ability to manage life’s challenges.