Dr. Carolyn Litteral, LPC-S, LCDC, MAC
Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Trainer, Author, Consultant
Counselor Educator, Gottman Educator, EMDR trainer and EMDR Consultant
My Services
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Do you feel like your past is haunting you and talking about it makes you feel worse? Your past belongs in your past, and we can try and get you out of the past and moving toward the future! EMDR is an evidenced based treatment that can desensitize past memories, events, triggers, and reduce phobias and addiction triggers. A full assessment is necessary to determine if EMDR is a good fit for you. Please read more about how EMDR works and EMDR effectiveness.
Couples Therapy and Premarital Counseling
Sometimes, it seems as if you are just not made for a relationship and no matter how hard you try, you can't work things out with someone. I have been trained in Gottman Couples therapy Levels 1,2, & 3, Gottman Addiction and Couples Recovery, am a Gottman Educator in Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, and am trained in Gottman Working with Complex Couples. Gottman couples therapy is backed by 40 years of research and is highly effective. I invite you to research the Gottman method here. My practice is a sex positive practice and I work with all kinds of couples, including polyamorous, kink, and the like.I work with couples with trauma, and often use EMDR with couples in which one or both have experienced trauma within or outside of the relationship. I also use a method called Emotion Focused Therapy, that helps couples understand the emotions behind their behaviors. You can read more about EFT here.
Individual Therapy / Adolescent Therapy
Individual counseling can be one of the keys to a happier, healthier life. My job is to give you or your adolescent the tools and techniques to achieve a balanced and fulfilling life, free of addiction and self-sabotage. Individual counseling is also a great way to recover from your past and have a future full of happy and healthy relationships. With a little guidance, you or your adolescent can find the life that you want and can thrive. With adolescents, I help them find their passions and reach goals so that they can have a successful future!
Family Therapy
No matter how big or small your family is, it can be challenging to keep everyone happy and getting along. So many times, family members have different personalities, and it is hard to understand each other. It probably seems like the same conversations happen over and over again, but nothing changes. I work with all families, including blended families. I make family therapy fun so that the children enjoy coming and the parents do not seem like “bad guys.” I would love to bring your family together, teach you how to best parent your child, and help everyone feel important and heard! I also work with adult family members, siblings having issues, or healing relationships of all kinds!
Sex Therapy
Sex is an important part of life for many individuals. Sexual issues in individuals and couples can cause shame, guilt, and can cause significant issues in self-esteem and relationships. Society portrays sex as easy, yet 43% of women and 31% of men report some degree of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is a normal and frequent issue for individuals and couples. Contrary to what some people think, sex therapy is not very different than most types of therapy and can be joined with couples therapy. I am trained in sex therapy and can help you achieve the sex life you want, heal from past sexual abuse or issues, or help you identify your thoughts and feelings about sex. I have a sex-positive practice and work with all types of couples.
LGBTQ+ Couples Therapy and Affirmation Therapy
I have specialized training in working with LGBTQ Couples and conducting LGBTQ therapy. LGBTQ affirmation therapy is a therapy for individuals who are LGBTQ+ that embraces a positive view of LGBTQ identities and relationships and recognizes the influences of transphobia, homophobia, and heterosexism. Regardless of where you are in the process of coming out or how others in your life feel about you, I can help you through your individual or relationship problems. People who are LGBTQ have problems related to being LGBTQ and sometimes have problems unrelated to their sexual orientation. Whatever your needs are, I am skilled and trained in working with individuals and couples who are LGBTQ+. I also work with transgender issues, gender dysphoria, and write letters for transitioning surgery.
First Responders, Military, and Law Enforcement (local and federal)
I earned a master's degree and a minor BA in criminal justice in order to have expertise for working with military personnel, first responders, and law enforcement personnel. I have experience working within prison systems and have extensive training in working with all law enforcement, branches of the military, and first responders. I am also conduct debriefings, crisis intervention and crisis response, and trainings on working with individuals with mental illness. I am also the area clinician for the DEA.
Therapy for Addiction
If you are dealing with addiction, I am sure that you feel like every day is a battle and nobody understands how hard it is to stop. If you are a loved one, you are probably asking yourself why they do not love you enough to stop. Addiction is about more than "just stopping" and there are many tools for you to learn for stopping the addiction or dealing with and helping an addicted family member. 12-step programs are not the only way to get well, and I create an environment of learning that is free of shame and guilt. For a video regarding understanding addiction and the connection of addiction to the brain, click here. I have two licenses, one which is called a licensed chemical dependency counselor, which is just for working with addiction!
EMDR Consultant, CE Provider and Basic Trainer
I am certified in EMDR, an approved EMDRIA consultant, an approved basic trainer, and an approved CE provider. I offer individual consultation, group consultation, and webinars / trainings on various EMDR topics. I also offer basic trainings. Please text or email me or to visit my EMDR Consultations page here and/or Trainings page here.
Teletherapy
I am certified in telehealth and have been a trainer in telehealth for several years. I have over 5 years experience providing telehealth. Telehealth can provide individuals with access to care because of the ease of the service. Telehealth is primarily done through video and the use of Zoom, Facetime, or other available options. Not everyone is eligible for telehealth.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma is unique in that it cannot be treated like other issues. The body decides what is trauma and what is not, so you may not understand that your body is experiencing symptoms of trauma. I offer trauma-informed care based in neuroscience. Together, we can identify how your body and mind metabolized (or “took on”) the trauma and I can help reduce or eliminate the distress you and your body and mind are feeling.