Carley James Bruner, LMHC

Carley James Bruner is a Washington-licensed mental health counselor who brings 15 years of clinical experience to her work with individuals facing stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship challenges, and trauma and abuse. As an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - she combines practical therapeutic tools with a collaborative, strengths-based perspective that honors each person as the expert of their own story. She works to identify existing resources and skills clients already possess and builds on them to address current challenges.

Carley emphasizes the courage it takes to begin change and approaches therapy with support and empowerment at the center. Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including attachment and abandonment issues, blended family and adoption-related dynamics, communication and control problems, codependency, caregiver stress, and first responder issues. She also helps clients cope with guilt, shame, impulsivity, and the complex emotions that follow divorce or separation.

In sessions Carley uses evidence-informed methods to help clients develop clearer coping strategies, improve relationships, and process difficult experiences. She offers flexible options for connecting and collaborates with clients to set achievable goals, adapt techniques to individual needs, and foster sustainable progress toward a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Carley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy alongside EMDR techniques to address a range of concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve daily coping. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, making it useful for challenges like impulsivity, intense emotions, and relationship conflicts. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused approach that supports processing of distressing memories and the emotions tied to them.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Carley works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques as progress is made and encourages shared decision-making so therapy reflects the client’s values and pace.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, over the phone, via live chat, or through text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, support continuity of care across locations, and allow clients to access licensed professionals in formats that feel most comfortable for them.