Dr. Candace Graves
I am a licensed therapist with specialized training in trauma-informed care and co-occurring disorders, dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence. My approach is warm, supportive, and structured, combining evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a strengths-based perspective to promote meaningful and lasting change. I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults facing anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioral concerns, and major life transitions. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood, while also being gently challenged to grow. Together, we focus on building practical skills, increasing self-awareness, and developing healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and responding to everyday stressors.
My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and tailored to each individual, with a strong focus on emotional awareness, coping skills, and behavior change.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready for change, I’m here to support you in taking the next step forward.
First session
In our first session, you can expect a welcoming, relaxed environment where we focus on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. I will ask questions about your current concerns, background, and goals, while also giving you space to share at your own pace. There is no pressure to have everything figured out—this is a time for us to begin building trust and identifying what support looks like for you. Together, we will start to outline goals and discuss a plan for moving forward. You’ll also leave with a clearer understanding of how I work and what future sessions may look like, including practical tools and strategies we can begin using early in the process.
Strengths
My greatest strengths lie in my ability to balance empathy with structure, creating a space where clients feel both supported and guided. I am skilled at breaking down complex emotional experiences into practical, manageable steps, helping clients build insight while also learning tools they can apply in their daily lives. My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and tailored to each individual, with a strong focus on emotional awareness, coping skills, and behavior change. I also bring a trauma-informed lens to my work, allowing me to meet clients with sensitivity while still helping them move forward. Clients often find that I am approachable, direct, and intentional in helping them make meaningful progress.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to support adolescents, and adults who are navigating emotional and behavioral challenges and are ready to build practical skills for lasting change. I work well with clients experiencing anxiety, stress, life transitions, trauma, and co-occurring concerns, as well as youth who may struggle with attention, emotional regulation, or behavioral difficulties. Many of the clients I work with may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to express what they’re going through. I provide a supportive, structured, and nonjudgmental space where we can work together to increase self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and improve emotional expression. I am especially passionate about helping clients who may have difficulty putting their feelings into words, guiding them in developing the tools needed to better understand themselves and navigate daily challenges with confidence. My approach is collaborative and goal-oriented, ideal for clients who are open to learning new skills, exploring patterns, and making meaningful progress in their personal growth and mental wellness.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT as a structured, practical approach to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my work, I focus on building emotional awareness, identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, and developing healthier coping strategies that clients can apply in real-life situations. I often incorporate interactive and developmentally appropriate tools—especially with children and adolescents—to make these skills easier to learn and use. My goal is to equip clients with lifelong skills that support emotional regulation, problem-solving, and overall well-being.
Adlerian
I incorporate Adlerian therapy to explore how early life experiences, relationships, and beliefs shape a client’s sense of self and approach to the world. In practice, I help clients identify patterns in their behavior, understand their underlying goals, and build a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. This approach is collaborative, encouraging insight, personal responsibility, and growth. I integrate encouragement and strengths-based strategies to support clients in making meaningful, lasting changes.
Location
Virtual sessions