Dr. Lita Carvalho, LMFT

Dr. Lita Carvalho welcomes people who are ready to seek support and guidance during difficult moments. She practices as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT - and holds the California license CA LMFT 113252. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as a doctorate-level researcher in biophysics, bringing a research-oriented perspective to her practice.

With two decades of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Carvalho works with children, teens, adults, and older adults on a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, complex post-traumatic stress, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and autism spectrum presentations. Her work draws on evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Twelve Step Facilitation, and trauma-informed care, tailoring interventions to each person she sees.

Her approach is client-centered and collaborative, focused on creating a steady, respectful environment where people can be heard and take steps toward change at their own pace. Dr. Carvalho aims to help clients identify practical strategies and personal values that guide meaningful progress, whether addressing relationship challenges, grief, addiction, or life transitions. She looks forward to partnering with individuals and families who want thoughtful, goal-oriented support.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) invites people to clarify what matters most to them and to take committed action in line with those values while accepting difficult thoughts and feelings. It can be helpful for anxiety, depression, and struggles with motivation or life changes.

Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns that developed in close relationships and how those patterns affect current connections. This approach is useful for relationship challenges, intimacy-related issues, and healing from abandonment or early relational wounds.

Dr. Carvalho approaches treatment collaboratively, recognizing that choosing the right therapeutic method is part of the work itself. She partners with each client to assess needs, goals, and preferences and adjusts techniques over time so that therapy aligns with what feels most effective and sustainable.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone, and shorter check-ins can happen via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around busy schedules, geographic constraints, or changing life demands while working with licensed professionals and therapists to pursue meaningful progress.