CARMEN HOLMES, CT

Carmen Holmes (pronouns: she/her) is a counselor trainee who works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her specialty interests include adjustment and life transitions, girls’ and women’s issues, high-functioning autism, self-esteem, aging and geriatric issues, and anxiety. She utilizes treatment approaches that are collaborative and strive to enable clients to obtain the tools necessary to transform mindsets, improve emotion regulation, and ultimately achieve their goals.

Carmen received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Notre Dame College of Ohio. She is currently enrolled in a master’s degree program in clinical mental health counseling at John Carrol University.

Carmen has previously worked in private practice with diverse populations to identify and address issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship conflicts. She supported preventive mental health efforts and provided psychoeducation, coping strategies, and resilience-building. Carmen has collaborated with other health professionals and stakeholders to provide comprehensive care for clients. Carmen has training in intimate partner violence, suicide prevention, and trauma.

Beyond her clinical work, Carmen gained valuable experience as an educator and in community engagement. She has worked in various educational settings for over twenty years and has contributed to initiatives that enrich marginalized populations. She is a member and volunteer of the Rise Initiative, a committee of women contributing to projects supporting the City Mission’s Laura’s Home. These experiences have shaped her relational and compassionate approach to counseling.

Carmen’s approach to counseling integrates and prioritizes establishing trust and connection, recognizing that healing begins with a strong therapeutic relationship. By tailoring sessions to meet each client’s unique needs, she ensures that interventions are relevant and effective. Collaboration is at the heart of her practice. She works alongside clients, honoring their expertise in their own lives, and guiding them toward self-discovery and lasting transformation. She is known for using a person-centered approach, mindfulness-based practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing – all with a focus on collaboration to create a supportive and empowering space for clients.

Her strengths include: compassion, empathy, kindness, insight, and open-mindedness.