Carol Long

I’m Carol Long, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in Trauma Therapy. Shortly after the beginning of COVID-19, I became trained in Eyemovement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based approach to treating trauma. I have a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Webster University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

My approach

I believe that everyone who enters the counseling environment is an expert in life and by working as a team, we can resolve issues and begin to heal. I approach treatment by drawing upon EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing, as tools to assist in the therapeutic process.

My focus

I enjoy working with individuals, ages 13 to 80+ who are motivated to make real changes in their life. Individuals who are eager to learn and explore new ways of addressing old issues. I am comfortable working with trauma, grief, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and panic issues.

My communication style

Working as a team requires open and honest communication. I encourage clients to display curiosity about not only themselves but also the world around them. This type of communication assists when it comes to exploring sensitive issues that can be challenging at times.

My journey to mental healthcare

Life isn’t a straightforward path and neither has been my career journey as a therapist. From an early age, I knew that I wanted to help individuals who struggled with emotional issues. I began my journey by completing my Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1996 and my Master of Arts in Counseling in 2002. I have a wide range of experiences working in hospitals, the community, managed healthcare, non-profit, and private practice. I have had the privilege of working with all socio-economic backgrounds and cultural experiences. I have worked with clients ages 13-90 years old. Over my career, I have learned that there isn’t a magic pill or special technique that will work in all situations for all people. Typically, we need some combination of tools to help us become successful in all areas of life. Discovering the right combination of tools for each individual is the secret to growth and success.

My goals for you

When setting up goals, it is important to review the client’s needs and desires for therapy. After that, break steps down to a manageable size that will allow both of us to work at a steady pace.

My first session with you

When beginning therapy, clients can expect to learn more about the therapeutic process and begin to identify what it is that they desire help. This will take the form of an initial assessment, where the client will be able to share information about their background and ask questions of the therapist. Following this meeting, subsequent sessions and frequency will be discussed and agreed upon.