Marla Carman , LMHC, LPC

Marla Carman is a licensed therapist based in Arizona who brings 21 years of professional experience to her work. She holds the credentials LMHC and LPC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor - reflecting formal licensure to provide clinical care. Marla focuses on a wide range of concerns including stress and anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief and depression, addictions, intimacy-related difficulties, eating and sleeping problems, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes, as well as compassion fatigue and related caregiver issues.

Her practice also addresses specific areas such as abandonment, aging and geriatric issues, BDSM and alternative sex culture, body image, codependency, communication problems, dependent personality patterns, divorce and separation, emptiness, family of origin dynamics, fertility-related concerns, first responder stress, guilt and shame, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and other complex life transitions. Marla integrates evidence-informed methods to tailor care to each person's needs, drawing on approaches that emphasize values, present-moment awareness, and practical skills to manage thoughts and behaviors.

Marla offers therapy in English and applies a compassionate, client-focused stance to support healing and growth. She aims to help individuals explore choices, build coping strategies, and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others while attending to each personâs unique circumstances and goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Marla draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR to guide her work. ACT focuses on clarifying personal values and learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking committed action toward what matters most, which can help with life transitions, anxiety, and chronic stress. CBT provides practical tools to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, making it useful for depression, anxiety, and coping skills development. EMDR is a trauma-focused approach that uses guided processing to reduce the intensity of distressing memories and can be helpful for healing from abuse and post-traumatic reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Marla collaborates with each person to determine which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences. She works with clients to adjust strategies over time so therapy feels tailored and effective.

Online therapy with Marla is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and connect with licensed professionals from locations that work for the client.