Carolyn Hollingshead , LCSW, LISW-CP

Carolyn Hollingshead is a licensed social worker with 22 years of clinical experience helping people increase their quality of life by addressing the obstacles that get in the way of wellbeing. She has worked with people of all ages on concerns such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, relationship challenges, blended family dynamics, divorce, bereavement, chronic pain, and eating disorders. Her practice highlights chronic pain, grief work, and eating disorders including weight management as special areas of expertise.

With a long history in nutrition and health, she brings a holistic perspective to therapeutic care and is comfortable addressing medical and aging-related issues alongside emotional concerns. She has completed specialized training in grief counseling and has Level One training from the Gottman Institute for relationship work. Her therapeutic style is process- and insight-oriented, and she values moments of new understanding when clients reach an "aha" in therapy. She also integrates evidence-based techniques, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral methods, and client-centered approaches, and is open to somatic and alternative therapies when helpful.

Carolyn has taught body image and eating disorder topics at the university level and has training in gerontology, which informs her work with older adults and families navigating later-life transitions. She holds the credentials LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker and LISW-CP - Licensed Independent Social Worker in clinical practice.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Carolyn

Carolyn uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify their values and build psychological flexibility - practical skills that support coping with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy is central to her practice as well, offering a supportive, empathetic environment where clients lead the pace and focus of exploration while the therapist reflects and validates their experience. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides structured tools to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, often used for anxiety, depression, and eating-related concerns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Carolyn works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and needs, and adapts methods over time so the work feels relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow therapy to fit into busy schedules, accommodate mobility or geographic constraints, and provide continuity of care during life changes. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals and maintain therapeutic momentum when in-person meetings are not practical.