CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

CD Portrait of Carla Dumas

Carla Dumas

Compassionate, practical therapy grounded in experience

LCPC Illinois

Experience
31 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Carla

About Carla

Carla Dumas is an Illinois-licensed clinician with 31 years of professional experience who helps people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief and loss, parenting concerns, depression, trauma, sleep difficulties, anger, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other life transitions.

Background and approach

She also addresses issues such as blended family dynamics, caregiver strain, codependency, domestic violence, family-of-origin and family problems, impulsivity, mood and personality disorders, multicultural concerns, prejudice and discrimination, and women's issues. Her practice emphasizes the client's own expertise in their life story, building on strengths and practical resources to pursue a more satisfying and resilient everyday life.

Carla blends evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused and client-centered strategies, solution-focused problem solving, and trauma-focused work to tailor sessions to individual needs. She frames therapy as a collaborative process and supports clients in taking courageous steps toward change while offering steady guidance and practical tools.

Carla holds an LCPC credential in Illinois (IL LCPC 180.005817) and works with English-speaking clients from her Illinois practice. She encourages people seeking help to reach out when they are ready to begin exploring goals and solutions.

Approach and Access for Online Care

Carla integrates cognitive behavioral work and emotionally-focused approaches to address thoughts, feelings, and relationship patterns in online sessions. Cognitive behavioral techniques help identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and impulsivity. Emotionally-focused strategies aim to name and process core emotions and improve emotional connection and regulation, which can be useful for relationship strain, grief, and attachment-related difficulties.

She treats selection of an approach as a collaborative process; the therapist and client work together to determine which methods best match the client's goals, preferences, and presenting concerns. Sessions often draw from multiple approaches so that practical coping skills, emotional exploration, and focused trauma-informed interventions can be combined as needed.

Online therapy with Carla is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care across busy lives and to access support from home or work while tailoring session structure to what helps each person make progress.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist help with?
Carla supports people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, parenting challenges, depression, trauma and abuse, sleeping problems, anger, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related life changes and mood concerns.
What therapeutic approach does she use in sessions?
The practice combines client-centered listening with evidence-informed methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused strategies, solution-focused interventions, and trauma-focused work to address symptoms and build coping skills.
How much experience does the therapist have?
She brings 31 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional, relational, and trauma-related concerns.
What credentials and location are on file?
Carla holds an LCPC credential in Illinois with licence number IL LCPC 180.005817 and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and scheduling availability.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule appointments according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

Trauma and abuseSleeping disordersAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsImpulsivityMood disordersMulticultural concernsPersonality disordersPrejudice and discriminationWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Solution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

31+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English