Carrie Gajowski, LMFT

Carrie Gajowski is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship pain, and questions about sexuality and identity. She focuses on building stronger self-esteem and coping skills when life feels overwhelming. Her approach is warm and practical, aimed at small changes that make daily life easier.

Carrie uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered techniques to address unhelpful thinking and unwanted patterns. In session she helps people notice thoughts that cause distress and try new behaviors that fit their values. She also pays attention to how past experiences shape current feelings and choices.

People often come to her when they feel stuck after a difficult relationship, when they struggle with codependency or communication problems, or when they face shame and isolation. She guides clients through decision points like leaving unhealthy relationships or reshaping connection styles, including support around non-monogamous arrangements when that is relevant.

Sessions mix practical exercises, short at-home practices, and conversational exploration. Carrie aims to make therapy feel approachable and doable, focusing on steps clients can take between sessions. She brings seven years of clinical experience and works from the perspective of a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Therapy is offered in English and is available through online formats. Carrie helps people clarify what they want, reduce anxiety, and take concrete steps toward a life that feels more honest and fulfilling.

How therapeutic approaches work in online sessions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In online sessions this looks like identifying stressful thought patterns and practicing small behavior changes you can try between meetings. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed action despite uncomfortable feelings; it often uses brief exercises and value-based goals that translate well to remote work. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client sets the pace and the therapist listens closely to what's important to them.

Finding the right approach is part of the process and will be collaborative. The therapist will work with the client to choose strategies based on current needs, goals, and personal preferences rather than assuming a single method will fit every situation. Sessions can blend techniques so the work matches what helps most.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful for deeper conversation and visual cues, phone sessions are a good option when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports shorter check-ins, and text messaging helps keep momentum between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and keep steady progress over time.