Licensed to practice in California and accepts 48 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 5 more.
(she/her)
Greetings! My name is Carrie McElwee and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, in California. I believe in meeting the client where they are and creating a safe space for each client to feel empowered as positive change occurs, judgement-free and unapologetically. My mission is to promote mental health services through prevention, education, and interventions. I have in my professional career integrated humor, compassion, empathy, and realness. I am trained in using various evidence-based practices.
Clients can expect to spend time building rapport, discussing their needs, and creating obtainable goals. I thrive on allowing the client to get to know the provider, it's key when working through difficult/challenging moments and/or exploring one's traumatic history. Of course after completing any paperwork necessary the focus is on what's important, the client and their therapy journey. I consider where you came from, what you've been through, and help you process how you feel about it all.
I enjoy setting a tone/environment which is relaxed and stress-free. It can be an enjoyable experience working with me because I encourage each client to seek their personal joy and healing, by giving themselves grace. But I'm not afraid to challenge my clients in order to achieve their treatment goals, work through challenges, and achieve healing in a therapeutic setting.
As a trained trauma-informed therapist, I specialize in working with adolescents and adults within several demographics, including BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. I also work with couples facing relationship and sexual issues.
Cash - $185 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Scripps Health Plan
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
I use CBT to assist clients in recognizing how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. We then use this knowledge to change the individual's thinking patterns, which will help the client experience a less anxious and stressed life.
I am a trained Dialectical behavior therapist and I use this evidence-based psychotherapy in treating personality disorders and interpersonal conflicts.
I enjoy bring a refreshing and "let's get down to business" approach to my Couple's Counseling. By assisting individuals we will exploring their relationship from a scientifically and spiritually model where we dive deep into the emotional, mental, and energetic causes underlying the less desired relationship.
As a trained trauma-informed therapist, I specialize in working with adolescents and adults within several demographics, including BIPOC and LGBTQ communities.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. EMDR can be used to lessen the symptoms of depression, panic disorder, or certain phobias.
8 ratings with written reviews
February 4, 2026
She’s easy to talk to and her office has a clean cozy vibe. I’ve been with her since late September and she has helped me through some of the hardest moments of my life. Heartbreak, depression, failure, anxiety, etc. I believe I would be in a much darker place right now if I didn’t have her by my side. She’s also easy to joke and laugh with so don't be scared to show a little personality
November 18, 2025
We had our first couples therapy session where it was mostly describing ourselves, our situation, our goals, etc., as well as hearing about Carrie's style and approach to counseling. She was very direct and attentive, and we are looking forward to beginning the work with her.
October 7, 2025
She is professional and welcoming. Seems ready to tackle any challenge and determined to understand why you are the way you are. Left me feeling hopeful, I really like her.