Carmen Shumate , LPC

Carmen Shumate is a licensed professional counselor with 26 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. She uses a practical approach to help clients find tools that fit their lives. Carmen emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in every conversation.

She primarily draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. She also uses client-centered methods to tailor sessions to each person's goals and needs. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and mindfulness practices are included when they can help with emotion regulation and grounding.

Carmen has worked in many settings including hospitals, office practices, residential facilities, group homes, and in-home care. That variety has informed how she adapts interventions to real-life situations and daily routines. She focuses on concrete steps people can take between sessions.

Her work covers common concerns such as trauma and abuse, post-traumatic stress, mood disorders, and self-esteem issues. She also addresses related areas like body image, chronic pain and illness, workplace stress, and first responder issues. The goal is practical relief and clearer next steps.

Scheduling is flexible with a wide range of hours to suit different routines. Carmen invites people to take the first step and will help set goals and a plan that make sense for their situation.

CBT, Mindfulness, and online support

Many sessions use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try different, practical behaviors that reduce distress and improve mood. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many day-to-day problems.

Client-centered work focuses on the person’s goals and pace. This approach makes room for the client’s priorities and adapts session plans to fit life circumstances. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and mindfulness exercises are used when helpful for emotion regulation, grounding, and managing intense feelings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences. That plan can change as progress is made or priorities shift.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to offer flexibility. Video is good for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is low or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text are useful for shorter updates, brief skills practice, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy schedule.