Carla Dumas, LCPC
Illinois · 31 years in practice
Carla Dumas is an Illinois licensed clinical professional counselor with 31 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, and relationship concerns.
License and registration
- LCPC, Illinois
- 180.005817 · expires March 2027
- NPI
- 1932382306 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 31
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Carla
Carla Dumas is an Illinois licensed clinical professional counselor with 31 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, and relationship concerns. She works with adults who are facing big life changes, mood struggles, trauma, or the daily strain of caregiving. Her approach is grounded in respect for each person's story and strengths.
She wants to make the first step easier and less overwhelming. Carla listens in a calm, straightforward way and focuses on what matters most to the client.
Background and approach
She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people understand patterns in close relationships and to process strong feelings. She also draws on client-centered techniques to keep conversations focused on the client’s goals and on cognitive behavioral strategies to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. In sessions she often sets small, practical goals.
That can mean trying new ways to talk with a partner, adjusting daily routines to improve sleep, or practicing coping tools for panic or anger. For trauma-related work she uses trauma-focused methods aimed at reducing the intensity of upsetting memories and reactions. Carla is comfortable addressing complex issues like bipolar mood patterns, impulsivity, codependency, and multicultural concerns.
She also supports people dealing with family of origin issues, domestic violence aftermath, blended family stress, and prejudice or discrimination. Her style is collaborative and steady. She helps people find simple steps that fit their life and revisits progress together.
The focus is on practical change and on building the skills needed to handle future challenges.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Carla lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Trauma and abuse
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Impulsivity
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Personality disorders
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Women's issues
Approaches Carla names
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How her approaches work online
Carla uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people notice and shift intense emotions that affect relationships. EFT focuses on understanding patterns in how people respond emotionally and creating new ways to connect or respond that feel safer and more effective. Client-Centered Therapy is another key part of her work and puts the client's perspective and goals at the center of each session, creating space for the person to lead the conversation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and stabilize mood.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Carla will discuss options and try methods together so the plan matches a person's goals and comfort level. She treats therapy as a team effort where the client's feedback guides adjustments to techniques and pacing.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible. Video calls work well for in-depth conversations and emotional work while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text messages are useful for shorter check-ins, symptom tracking, or practicing new skills between longer sessions. These options help fit therapy into busy schedules and different daily routines.
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Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns can I bring to therapy?
Carla works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, parenting concerns, sleep problems, anger, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes. She also addresses blended family issues, caregiver stress, codependency, and related topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She listens, highlights strengths, and helps set small practical goals to change thoughts, behaviors, or relationship patterns.
What background and experience does she have?
She holds an Illinois LCPC credential and brings 31 years of professional work experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed in Illinois as an LCPC and practices from that state.
Can I work with her if I live in another country?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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