Hi! My name is Carly Stern, LCSW. I am excited to have the opportunity to support you on your journey. Currently, I am serving the wonderful populations in California. I am a full-time therapist and doctoral student. I enjoy hanging with my dog "Ygor," being outdoors, running, sci-fi and fantasy ANYTHING, video games, Comicon, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Since I was a young kid, I have been passionate about human behavior and relationships. Everyone has their journey in this field. Mine looks a little like a personal experience growing up with a parent who had a severe mental illness that no one knew much about. It never felt fair to me or my family. To put it plainly, we didn't understand how to provide support because no one else knew enough about mental illnesses either. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I've learned as much as I can to best support individuals and families. In my work and through my doctoral studies, it is my purpose to learn to bridge the gap in understanding how mental illness and addiction intersect and impact those suffering, including their families. I've worked in multiple prisons, VA programs, adolescent inpatient rehabs, adult inpatient rehabs, methadone clinics, and the foster system.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
We will review informed consent to ensure that you fully understand the treatment process. I will review my approach to treatment, past experience, schooling, and other relevant clinical details about my work. For most of the initial session, I will need information about your personal background, family history, and medical details to understand you better. Some questions may feel overly general, while others may feel somewhat invasive or private. Keep in mind that you don't need to divulge anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, but your answers will help me best support you!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I liken my approach to talking to a trusted friend with a professional edge. I am assertive and kind. The goal is to listen and provide constructive feedback that you're ready to accept. I am a strong believer in CBT because it works. I guide you to an understanding that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a negative cycle. Challenging these negative thoughts can be scary to many but I facilitate this process seamlessly.
About Carly Stern
Carly Stern offers therapy covered by Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal and Kern Family Health Care - Medi-Cal in California.
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
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Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
This modality works well for people experiencing symptoms associated with Anxiety disorders, Depression, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Psychosis, Eating disorders, Substance use disorders and Chronic pain, and Workplace stress. With guidance, clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions and aim to accept these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives. With this understanding, clients begin to accept challenges and commit to making changes in their behavior, regardless of what is going on in their lives and how they feel about it.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
This is one of the most effective modalities out there and thoroughly peer-reviewed. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term form of psychotherapy based on the concept that the way someone thinks and feels affects the way they behave. CBT focuses on helping clients resolve present-day challenges like depression or anxiety, relationship problems, anger issues, stress, or other common concerns that negatively affect mental health and quality of life. The goal of treatment is to help clients identify, challenge, and change maladaptive thought patterns in order to change their responses to difficult situations.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I have significant experience using ERP therapy, particularly for clients with anxiety disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related conditions. ERP is a well-established, evidence-based treatment approach that involves exposing clients to situations or thoughts that trigger their anxiety while preventing them from engaging in their usual avoidance behaviors or compulsive responses. This process helps desensitize them to the triggers and reduces their anxiety over time. ERP requires sensitivity, encouragement, and consistent follow-up to help clients face their fears without feeling overwhelmed. My practice emphasizes collaboration, ensuring the client feels supported throughout the process.