My practice is located in Portland, Texas. Much of my work focuses on trauma. This ranges from car accidents, to childhood trauma, to abusive relationships, combat veterans and PTSD. I respect my client's opinions on their treatment and work closely with them in treatment planning. I love it when clients share resources with me that have helped them outside of sessions, whether that be podcasts, books, etc. I work to incorporate these things into treatment. I'm very skilled at meeting a client where he or she is at, and I have a talent for coaching clients through the difficult parts of treatment to continue making progress and not become "stuck."
In our first session, I'm interested in getting to know you as a person, and answering any questions you may have for me to help make you feel comfortable in working with me. I'll ask you what brings you in, and you'll be free to tell me as much or as little as you'd like regarding any presenting problems you may be struggling with. Sometimes clients are worried they will be expected to "trauma dump" in the first session, but I respect a client's need for comfort before opening up completely.
First and foremost, I genuinely enjoy and believe in my clients. I feel privileged to be trusted to sit down with clients and offer help. I utilize therapeutic techniques that are evidence-based and the gold-standard for trauma treatment. Additionally, having spent seven years as a paralegal in a family law office gives me a unique perspective to help clients navigate difficulties brought on by divorce or custody situations. Good therapy should be safe and effective. I work hard to provide this for my clients.
I work very well with clients struggling with trauma. My preferred client is someone who will read, listen to books, or listen to podcasts to help me seek out answers for them. I am never offended by a client bringing in ideas for treatment - I thoroughly enjoy working with those who seek their own best treatments, and then incorporate that into the work we are already doing together.
Other specialties
I identify as
EMDR
EMDR is a type of therapy that reprocesses trauma in such a way that clients end up feeling empowered by the same experiences that once debased them. I have successfully utilized this type of therapy for various types of traumas, ranging from athletes with performance anxiety, childhood trauma, abusive relationships, to combat veterans with PTSD.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Any time we "remove" something in therapy, we must "replace" it with something better. CBT helps clients identify mistaken beliefs that may be holding them back, and replaces them with other more accurate and helpful beliefs. CBT is useful for a wide range of psychological conditions.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused Therapy helps clients identify their own strengths and develop coping skills for use during difficult times. The client is the expert in his or her own life; he or she already has the resources needed to construct solutions to problems. I help clients identify and implement the resources they have.
14 ratings with written reviews
May 4, 2026
I have received guidance, tools for better communication, and professional input during my sessions with Carla. This has helped me to navigate through my daily life. I use these tools and put them into action. After sessions, the follow-up notes are another positive tool I can use in my daily life.
April 17, 2026
Very amazing first visit. Felt very welcomed.
February 10, 2026
I saw Carla for a few months about a year ago and recently ran into something that I felt I needed to speak with someone about. It made perfectly good sense to speak to Carla again, for let's call it a tune-up. She was wonderful, listened and gave me a way through what I was happening to me. I will definitely be back if I find myself needing help in the future.