FindADHDTherapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

LICSW

Carleen Gates, LICSW

  • Experience10 years
  • LocationAlabama
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Family
  • Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy
View booking options

Check the available next steps for working with Carleen online.

About Carleen

Carleen Gates is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, compassion fatigue, bipolar-related concerns, and ADHD.

Background and approach

She combines warmth with directness to create a supportive environment where clients can explore difficult feelings and practical life challenges like family problems, guilt and shame, forgiveness, finances, life purpose, and self-worth. Carleen is attentive to women's issues and brings a respectful, dignified approach to each person she works with.

Her style blends client-centered empathy with evidence-based techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic perspectives. Over a decade in the mental health field has included individual and group work, case management, school-based services, in-home therapy, and telehealth, giving her practical experience across varied settings.

She encourages clients to recognize the courage it takes to seek change and partners with them to pursue more rewarding, self-empowered lives. Carleen welcomes the opportunity to guide clients through thoughtful, goal-oriented work toward meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and How They Work Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify their values and take committed action toward those values while learning to accept difficult thoughts and emotions. It can be useful for clients struggling with anxiety, depression, or life purpose questions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns through practical skills and structured exercises, which often helps with stress, mood, and anxiety-related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers strategies for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, supporting those overwhelmed by intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to explore goals, preferences, and needs, and may draw from multiple methods to create a personalized plan rather than using a single fixed model. This cooperative stance helps tailor sessions to what feels most useful for the individual.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to enhance flexibility and accessibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These remote formats allow clients to engage in therapy from their own environments, making it easier to maintain continuity of care and fit sessions into busy lives while still receiving support from licensed professionals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, compassion fatigue, bipolar concerns, and ADHD, and also focuses on family problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, money issues, self-love, and women's issues.
How would you describe the therapeutic style?
The approach is caring and client-centered while also candid and direct, combining empathy with practical guidance to help clients make meaningful changes.
What is the therapist's experience background?
She has 10 years of experience in the mental health field, including individual and group therapy, case management, school-based services, in-home therapy, and telehealth work.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a LICSW with license AL LICSW 4396C and is based in Alabama.
Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are offered?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.
How does pricing and scheduling work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefDepressionCompassion fatigue

Also works with

Bipolar disorderADHD

Additional focus areas

Family problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeMoney and financial issuesSelf-loveWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Psychodynamic Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Alabama

Languages

English

What Carleen can help with

Carleen Gates works with clients on stress and anxiety, family conflicts, grief, depression, and compassion fatigue.

Carleen works with clients with trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.

How Carleen approaches therapy

Carleen's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy.

Experience and training

Carleen is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in Alabama.