Carla Dumas, LCPC

Carla Dumas is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and parenting challenges. She supports clients dealing with relationship strain, sleep problems, anger, bipolar mood concerns, trauma and abuse, and ADHD. Carla emphasizes practical steps and steady support during hard times.

She approaches therapy by listening first and building on each person’s strengths. Sessions focus on clear goals and workable strategies that fit day-to-day life. She uses techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and solution-focused methods to help people change unhelpful thoughts, improve emotional connection, and identify small steps toward relief.

Carla believes clients are the experts on their own stories, and she works alongside them rather than directing them. She offers a calm, respectful presence and encourages honest conversation about what’s working and what isn’t. Together, she and the client track progress and adjust plans as needed.

With 31 years of experience, Carla draws on a broad background of clinical work to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. She addresses cultural and social factors when relevant and will name practical skills to manage strong feelings, impulsivity, and parenting stress.

People who meet with Carla can expect straightforward talk, collaborative planning, and an emphasis on skills that carry into everyday life.

How Carla’s Approaches Work Online

Carla draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to guide online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and help regulate mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on understanding feelings and improving how people connect emotionally, which can help with relationship strain and parenting tensions.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. Carla will ask about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together the client and Carla choose techniques and shape sessions so they fit the client’s needs and everyday life.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and working through emotional material. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in fits a busy day. Live chat and text messaging offer quick ways to touch base, practice skills, or get support between longer sessions. These options aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into a routine.