Meet the therapist behind Real Kind Therapy
Therapy is personal, and who you work with matters. I’m here to offer a space that feels grounded, compassionate, and real.
A little about me
I’ve been working in the mental health field for nearly two decades, and I feel grateful to do work that is both meaningful and deeply rewarding. I love helping people make sense of what they’re going through, feel more connected to themselves and others, and begin moving toward meaningful change.
I also believe you are the expert on your own life. Therapy is not something I do to you. It’s a collaborative process we move through together. My goal is to create a relationship that feels safe, respectful, and open, so you can feel supported while staying connected to your own voice, needs, and goals.
How I show up in the therapy room
At Real Kind Therapy, I offer a supportive space to talk honestly about the stress, hurt, and emotional pain you may be carrying, while also helping you move toward healing with insight, practical tools, and greater self-understanding.
I see therapy as a collaborative process built on trust, honesty, and care. My role is not to tell you who to be or what to do, but to help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
I want therapy to feel both grounding and useful. That means making space for the deeper emotional work, while also helping you build insight and move toward meaningful change in your day-to-day life.
Support for couples
One of my greatest passions is helping couples find more connection, understanding, and fulfillment in their relationship. In my work with couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy, or EFT, an approach grounded in attachment science.
When couples are struggling, I do not see one partner as the problem. More often, the real problem is the painful cycle the two of you get caught in together. In therapy, we work to slow that cycle down, understand what is happening underneath it, and begin responding to each other in new ways.
Often, there has been a deep hurt, broken trust, or an ongoing pattern of disconnection fueling the distress. Together, we work to identify those patterns, make space for the deeper emotions beneath them, and create more honest, secure connection.
Support for individuals
I also work with individuals and tailor therapy to your specific needs and goals. No two people are exactly alike, and I want the work to feel relevant and supportive to your life.
I draw from a variety of approaches, including CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic work. I often support clients navigating grief and loss, life transitions, relationship changes, anxiety, overwhelm, and other seasons of emotional strain.
What you can expect in therapy
The first step is getting to know you and building a sense of comfort and trust. I know that talking to a therapist can feel vulnerable, so I place a lot of importance on creating safety and moving at a pace that feels manageable for you.
As we begin, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you in and what you hope might feel different over time. If your goals still feel unclear, that’s okay too. Early sessions can help us explore what is going on, clarify what matters most, and begin identifying a path forward.
As therapy continues, we’ll make space for the harder parts of your experience with care and honesty. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you feel supported, understood, and better equipped with tools and perspectives that can positively impact your well-being and relationships.
Training, experience, and specialties
-
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California #49433
-
MA in Marital and Family Therapy from University of San Diego (2006)
BA in Psychology from University of Virginia (2000)
-
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Solution Focused Therapy
-
Couples therapy
Individual therapy
Life transitions
Grief & loss
Relationship challenges
Anxiety
Stress
Emotional overwhelm
-
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of supporting youth and adults from all walks of life. I value working with people of diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. I am a proud LGBTQIA+ ally. At Real Kind Therapy, I am committed to honoring what makes each of us unique while also celebrating what connects us. I believe my clients are my greatest teachers, and I strive every day to create a space where everyone feels safe and seen.
Hi, I’m Carol (she/her)
I know starting therapy can feel hard. Please know that I am a real person and I am not here to judge you. I am a person with flaws who has experienced ups and downs. I am a grateful spouse and a proud mother of two. I am a swimmer and a nature lover. I love cooking, traveling and finding quiet moments to reflect. I also love gelato and soft serve ice cream!
Life is rich with possibility. Yet the human experience can be quite a struggle. My mission is to help others toward a lived experience that is fulfilling and toward relationships that are nurturing and connecting.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin
Whether you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply ready for something to shift, therapy can be a place to start.