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