LCSW, 10 years of experience
New to Grow
Carina Schroedel, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in substance use, co-occurring disorders, trauma, and emotional burnout. I help clients rediscover peace, balance, and self-trust after chaos or loss. My approach is compassionate and grounded in real life — not just theory. Through evidence-based therapy and authentic connection, I help people build healthier coping skills, repair relationships, and feel more at home within themselves. My goal is to help you heal at your own pace and find strength in your story.
In our first session, we’ll take things slow and focus on comfort and clarity. You don’t need to have the perfect words or know exactly where to start — that’s my job to help guide. I’ll ask about your goals, what’s been working, and what hasn’t, and we’ll talk about what brought you to therapy in the first place. I view the first session as the beginning of a collaboration — not an interview. We’ll begin identifying the themes and triggers that keep showing up in your life and start developing tools to manage them. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling seen, understood, and supported, with a sense of direction for what’s next.
What sets my work apart is how I blend clinical skill with deep empathy. I’ve worked for years in addiction treatment and recovery programs, helping clients navigate both substance use and mental health challenges. I use DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based therapy, but I always bring a real, down-to-earth approach — one that feels like working with someone who genuinely cares, not just checks boxes. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable being honest, even about the hard things they’ve never said out loud before. I believe that’s where the healing starts — in honest, compassionate conversation. I meet clients where they are, help them build practical coping skills, and create lasting changes that ripple into every area of their lives.
I work best with individuals who are ready to look beneath the surface — people who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, addiction, or emotional reactivity and want to understand why. My ideal clients are insightful, curious, and tired of quick fixes. Many of the people I work with have co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, are in early or ongoing recovery, or have experienced trauma, grief, or relationship struggles. You don’t have to have it all figured out — you just have to be willing to begin. Whether you’re navigating sobriety, rebuilding after relapse, managing depression, or trying to find peace after years of survival mode, I provide a calm, judgment-free space where you can safely explore your emotions, patterns, and goals. Together, we’ll create a path toward healing that honors your individual strengths and values.
My work is grounded in compassion, real conversation, and an understanding that healing is never one-size-fits-all. I use a blend of DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches to help clients reconnect with themselves and move toward long-term recovery.
With DBT, we practice grounding and emotional regulation so you can respond instead of react.
through mindfulness and somatic awareness, I guide you toward self-connection and peace, even when life feels heavy