Dr. Carolyn Neiswender, LICSW

Dr. Carolyn Neiswender is a seasoned clinical social worker who encourages people to take the first step toward relief and lasting change. With a clinical doctoral degree (DSW) and a Master of Social Work, she combines advanced training and decades of practical experience to help clients reduce suffering and build a fuller, more meaningful life. As a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), she brings a calm, nonjudgmental presence to each session and prioritizes listening deeply so that understanding can guide treatment.

She works with individuals and families across the lifespan to repair trust, improve communication, and strengthen emotional intimacy. Her practice often serves adults facing anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, caregiving stress, and pre-retirement concerns, and she also supports college students navigating academic and interpersonal challenges. Her background includes work in hospitals, nursing homes, home health, hospice, and academia, which has fostered a particular interest in serving older adults and those caring for them.

Across more than 30 years in the field, she has mentored colleagues and provided supervision in clinical settings. Her approach is client-centered and collaborative, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Problem Solving Therapy, Rogerian methods, Gestalt, and other tools to match treatment to each person. She seeks motivated clients who are ready to engage in the therapeutic work, keep appointments, and follow through on agreed steps toward change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Neiswender commonly integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify their values and learn how to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking committed action toward a meaningful life. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, respect, and collaboration so clients feel heard and are empowered to find their own solutions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing practical skills to change behaviors and reduce symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Neiswender collaborates with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds so treatment remains responsive and practical.

Online therapy modalities include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to schedule care around work, family, and caregiving responsibilities. These options offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to maintain continuity of care from home or other convenient locations while working with licensed professionals and therapists to move toward their goals.