Carley Rothstein

Carley Rothstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with eight years of clinical experience. She started her career as an Exceptional Children’s teacher in a North Carolina school district and later ran a business offering academic tutoring and behavioral intervention. Carley then worked as an educational and developmental therapist in the NC infant-toddler program while collaborating with the Children’s Developmental Services Agency.

She earned a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State World Campus and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Since becoming an LCSW she has provided outpatient therapy to children, teens, and adults facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and many other challenges. Her work has included school-based psychotherapy and integrated behavioral health in clinic and medical settings.

Carley has supported people dealing with foster care and adoption questions, ADHD and autism spectrum needs, self-harm and suicidality, and complex trauma. She has also helped older adults in group homes and assisted-living facilities to process changes related to aging and dementia related behaviors, and she has assisted family members as loved ones approach end-of-life.

Her approach is client-centered. Sessions focus on practical steps people can use day to day, clear communication, and building skills for coping with change. She draws from cognitive behavioral ideas, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to match what a person needs.

Outside of work she is an animal lover and parent who spends time with her son and their pets. She advocates for the special needs community and brings that perspective into her clinical work.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's experience and priorities. In practice this means the therapist listens carefully, asks what matters most to the person, and shapes sessions around those goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches specific techniques to reduce anxiety, depression, and unhelpful behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills that help with intense emotions and relationship strain.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. Carley works collaboratively to decide which approaches to try first, and adjusts plans based on a person's needs, goals, and preferences. This collaboration helps make sessions practical and focused on real-life change.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing shorter check-ins when needed. It can also help people continue care through life transitions and when coordinating with schools, clinics, or caregivers. Talk with the therapist about scheduling preferences and how to shape sessions to fit your day.