Carla McGehee, LPC

Carla McGehee is a Licensed Professional Counselor who focuses on practical strategies people can use to manage strong emotions and life changes. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different ways of coping. Sessions are paced to the client and usually run about 45 minutes.

She has worked in community mental health and outpatient settings for over 13 years in Texas. That background includes intake work and several years providing ongoing counseling for people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, and problems with emotional control. Her experience covers both long-term diagnoses and short-term adjustment concerns.

Carla typically uses clear, concrete language in sessions. She blends CBT with Dialectical Behavior Therapy ideas and mindfulness practices to teach skills for managing distress and improving daily functioning. She prefers to keep work focused on stated goals and avoids unnecessary digging into painful memories unless it helps the plan.

When change requires letting go, she helps people name what they have lost and imagine what comes next. She also addresses negative coping behaviors and addictions by breaking down practical steps to shift responses and routines. Clients are invited to give feedback and shape the pace of work.

With a willingness to include a person’s spiritual beliefs when asked, she integrates those values into treatment as a support. Sessions emphasize hope and workable steps so people leave feeling they can move forward.

Practical approaches for online skill building

Carla uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot patterns of thinking that fuel anxiety or low mood and then test small behavior changes to see what helps. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy ideas to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills that apply day to day. Mindfulness practices are used to build present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity when it helps the person.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which tools to try first and adjust the plan as progress or challenges appear.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care fit into a busy life. Video is useful for face-to-face interaction and skill demonstrations, while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging allow quick check-ins, brief coaching, or practice between sessions. These formats help people attend sessions from different locations and fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other commitments.