About Me

Rooted in connection

Reframed by possibility

A painting workspace with a table holding watercolor paints, brushes, a sketchpad, and a vase of eucalyptus branches, with framed artwork and a window in the background.

Hi, I'm Carly.

I believe therapy works best when you don't have to pretend. My goal is to create a space where you can take a deep breath, be yourself, and know you're accepted exactly as you are.

Whether we're talking, creating art, laughing, or sitting with the hard stuff, we'll work together to help you better understand yourself and move toward the life you want.

A young woman smiling outdoors, wearing a sleeveless patterned top, with trees in the background.

MY STORY

Creativity has always been my way of making sense of the world.

My path took me from The University of Akron, where I studied Studio Art and Psychology, to Ursuline College for my Master's in Art Therapy and Counseling. Along the way I learned in community mental health, Akron Children's Hospital, the Canton Museum of Art, and private practice. Those experiences taught me something I still carry into every session today: there isn't one "right" way to heal because there isn't one "right" way to be human.

As I grew older, I realized creativity wasn't just something I loved—it was a way of connecting. It gave people permission to express what felt hard to say, discover new perspectives, and make meaning from life's experiences. That realization eventually led me to pursue art therapy and counseling.

Long before I became a therapist, I was the kid who always had paint on my hands. You could usually find me drawing, building something, or completely immersed in a creative project. Looking back, I think art gave me a way to understand myself long before I had the words for what I was feeling.

I believe people grow when they feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted—not because someone tells them who they should become. My role isn't to have all the answers; it's to create a space where we can be curious together, make sense of your experiences, and help you reconnect with the strengths you already possess.

I've also learned that I naturally notice the little things—sometimes in artwork, sometimes in conversations, and yes...sometimes because a picture frame is hanging just a little crooked. Those small details often tell meaningful stories.

One of my favorite things about therapy is that the moments we remember are rarely the ones we planned for. Sometimes insight comes while making art, sometimes in the middle of an unexpected laugh, and sometimes during a quiet pause when words finally begin to feel possible. Those moments remind me that healing isn't something we force—it's something we create together.

Four watercolor circles with line drawings: a person cooking with a beverage, a graduation cap, a heart, a plant, and a cup with a heart.

Today I'm a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor (LPCC-S), Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT), and Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC). Those credentials reflect years of education and experience, but they aren't what define my work.

What defines my work is the relationship we build together.