Carmen Shumate , LPC

Carmen Shumate is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Georgia with 26 years of experience across hospitals, outpatient offices, residential facilities, group homes, and in-home settings. She supports people facing depression, stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and difficulties with motivation, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Her work frequently addresses related concerns such as body image, chronic pain or illness, communication problems, family and workplace issues, and mood disorders.

Rooted primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Carmen blends practical skills training with empathetic listening to help clients set meaningful, individualized goals. She also incorporates client-centered principles that prioritize each person’s perspective and preferences. Treatment plans are tailored to the unique needs of the individual and evolve as progress is made.

Carmen approaches her work with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, recognizing that seeking help is a courageous first step. She aims to be a steady supportive presence through the therapeutic process and maintains a flexible schedule intended to accommodate early mornings, afternoons, and late nights (8am-1:00am).

Approach Options and What Online Therapy Looks Like

Carmen commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in her work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and mood-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and helps clients explore their own goals and values.

She may also draw on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques to teach practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal relationships when those skills are needed. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey - Carmen collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences and adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with Carmen is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options help make consistent support more accessible, allowing licensed professionals and therapists to meet clients where they are and fit therapy into busy lives.