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About
Hi, I'm Carlita!
I’m a therapist and writer who believes that healing begins with honesty. We can’t heal while hiding, so I invite people to tell the truth about what’s happened, what hurts, and what still feels heavy.
I understand that process because I’ve lived it too. Learning to care for myself in body, mind, and spirit has shown me that healing is a practice, the ongoing work of tending to what’s within us so we can move through the world with greater peace and purpose.
In my practice, I walk alongside clients in that same spirit of care. Together, we create a space where you can step out of survival mode and begin to live in a way that feels grounded and true to who you are.
When you’re ready to begin, we’ll find the words and the way forward.
Contact Me
Licensed Professional Counselor, Author, Advocate
Writing, teaching, and living the path to sustainable wellness
Carlita L. Coley, LPC
Moving through a world where inclusion isn’t always guaranteed can make you feel unseen, uncertain, and unsure of where you belong. My intention is to help you turn the pain of what you’ve carried into purpose — a deeper understanding of yourself and a more intentional, authentic way of living.
As a neurodivergent Black woman living with Multiple Sclerosis and a proud mother of three, including two children in the LGBTQ+ community, I understand what it means to move through the world with limitation and resilience, strength and sensitivity. I’ve chosen to let these experiences refine me rather than define me, deepening my empathy, my curiosity, and my belief that healing begins when we learn to embrace every part of who we are.
I share more of these reflections in Carlita's Corner, a space for exploring self-awareness, belonging, and the journey of being human.
Education and Experience
Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bowie State University
Masters Degree in Community Counseling from Old Dominion University
I am a Virginia Board of Counseling–Approved Clinical Supervisor, a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience in the field. I specialize in supporting women and children, navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions, offering a deeply empathetic and culturally attuned space for healing.
Mission
My mission is to create space for honest connection and self-discovery — to meet people where they are, help them make sense of their stories, and support them in healing, growing, and remembering that they matter.
Style
My therapeutic style is relaxed and conversational, integrating a range of evidence-based approaches, including:
Specialties
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – to foster psychological flexibility and values-based living
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – to support emotional regulation and distress tolerance
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Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) – to build on strengths and create practical paths forward
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Mindfulness – to cultivate present-moment awareness and self-compassion
Beyond the Therapy Room
Writing is my first love, and is how I make sense of the world and help others do the same. My work as an author blends storytelling and psycho-education, helping readers explore healing and growth in their own lives. My published works include Eve's Exodus, a psycho-educational memoir, Purpose in the Struggle, a collection of poems on faith, love and resilience, as well as two therapy journals - Renew and Rise, designed to support women on their trauma healing journey, and Bye Anxiety, a guide to managing anxiety. I also publish a reflective seasonal magazine, Carlita’s Way: Essays on Life, Love, and the Language of Learning, where I share personal reflections on healing and the human experience.
Carlita Coley & Associates
I am joined by a team of experienced and emerging clinicians who share my heart for compassionate, culturally grounded work.
Stephanie Doswell, LPC
LBGTQ+ Therapist
Stephanie offers affriming support to LGBTQ+ clients as they explore identity, sexuality, self-esteem and life transitions.
Sarne Branch, MSW
Supervisee-In-Social Work
Family Therapist
Sarne supports clients in uncovering how family dynamics, past trauma, and patterns of behavior shape their experiences.
Chyanne Cuevas, MSEd
Resident-in-Counseling
Trauma Therapist
Chyanne helps young adutls and adults heal from past trauma.
Carol provides Spanish Language Learning for individuals, couples and groups.
