Carolyn Garrison, MS
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #124751
Belmont | Burlingame | Foster City | San Mateo
Empowered Wellness
About Me
At Center for Mindful Psychotherapy
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #124751
Supervised by Megan Gredesky, LMFT #89058
Supporting children, teens, and adults to overcome adversities, obtain healthy development & mental wellness, and reach one's full potential. Specialties are Neurodivergence such as ADHD/Executive Dysfunction, Autism, Twice Exceptional (2E), Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), secondary effects of learning differences / disabilities, trauma, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, stress management, life transitions, women's issues, multi-cultures, and spirituality. Support is holistic and integrative, incorporating Brainspotting (BSP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic / Existential Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy, while utilizing innate strengths. Integration to help you heal, grow, & thrive.
I have a background of working with children as an after school teacher, a standard school counselor, and an educationally-related mental health services (ERMHS) provider for children with special education.
In-Person: Outdoor | Walk-and-Talk | Play Therapy
(Local parks in Belmont | Burlingame | Foster City | San Mateo)
Video telehealth anywhere within the state of California
Parks and playgrounds are natural environments to children, allowing them to feel more comfortable on their ‘turf.’ My approach weaves play therapy into their interests, giving them the opportunity to teach me what and how they like to play. The opportunity to teach an adult draws on their innate strengths, empowering self-esteem and confidence.
Outdoor activities including walk-and-talk therapy, as well as online telehealth. We might play chess, checkers, UNO or other card games, or engage in expressive art and crafts, while discussing common themes such as navigating middle or high school pressures and social life.
Many adults appreciate the extreme convenience of online therapy, which fits into schedule gaps such as lunch hour, and allows clients to come as they are (pajamas or work attire). For those wishing to get outside, I also offer outdoor walk-and-talk therapy.
Sliding scale may be available
Brainspotting is a neurobiological tool of focused mindfulness used to locate, process, and release conscious / unconscious experiences and emotions. It has been shown to improve regulation of emotion and stress response, reduce symptoms related to trauma and distress, lessen related tension and discomfort, increase insight, and it is even used to increase performance.
When immediate / accelerated healing is needed, Brainspotting Intensives provide about a month's worth of healing work in one day, and can be repeated as often as needed.
Unlike psychotherapy services, which is only available to clients located in California, I can provide Brainspotting online to anyone, anywhere in the world.
