Carol Stilson profile image

Carol Stilson

Therapist • LCPC

Missouri
Life Transitions Accepts insurance Video sessions
I am a non-traditional therapist. Together we will work to make some positive changes in your life. – Carol

Specializes in

Addiction,
Anxiety, and
PTSD

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Meet Carol

Hello, I'm Carol. Are you ready to make some positive changes in your life? Join me, and together we will begin to explore areas of your life that are causing you to feel trapped. As an Acceptance and Commitment Therapist (ACT), I focus on helping you develop a new understanding of yourself so you can begin to make meaningful changes. You don't have to remain trapped in emotional pain. I can help you train your brain to regain control of those racing thoughts and bring some peace into your mind. "The more you struggle, the deeper you sink. To survive quicksand, you must be still. And to escape life's inevitable suffering, you must quit fighting AGAINST your pain so you can focus on getting THROUGH IT." - Steven Hayes, Ph.D., "Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" While I incorporate supportive therapy into my sessions, I also push for change and encourage you to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone. The only way things will change in your life is once you are willing to open yourself up to trying out new thought patterns, behaviors, and expectations for yourself - and for others. I am a firm believer that nothing changes without changes. I will act as your coach, guiding you to work through your inner pain and mental issues to find the peace you deserve. We will use the natural thought processes of your mind to help you process and solve your problems. I also use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment for traumatic memories. This is an evidence- and research-backed form of treatment that uses your mind to heal your pain. Pain + nonacceptance = suffering. There is another way. I arrived late to being a therapist, choosing to wait until I had gained some wisdom before starting this journey. I am not your traditional therapist in that I want to help you find solutions and inspire you to believe that change is possible. I like to think of myself as Johnny Appleseed, dropping seeds of hope for my clients. You will find I am also a storyteller, using a lot of analogies and anecdotes to help you understand new behaviors and concepts. My history - I found my purpose through a self-help website and soon realized this was my dream job - encouraging people to change their lives for the better. I have worn many hats during my mental health journey. In my first job, I was a case manager who helped the seriously mentally ill with their lives and with managing the symptoms of their mental illness. I then shifted to working as a social worker, supporting people in their worst moments at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I then shifted to providing guidance as a drug counselor, helping people change their lives around and return to sobriety. My latest experience has been through a crisis center where I provided crisis services and therapeutic support during mental health crises. I tend to use humor during my sessions, and there is often laughter along with inspiration. I hope you will make the choice to explore new changes and opportunities in your life with me.


Specializes in

Addiction Anxiety PTSD

General expertise in

  • ADHD
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality
  • Grief / Bereavement
  • Intimate / Romantic Relationships
  • Life Transitions
  • Self-harm and Suicidal Feelings
  • Sex / Intimacy Issues
  • Sondermind Video Telehealth
  • Stress
  • Trauma

Treatment approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
  • Acceptance & commitment therapy
  • Mindfulness

Works with

Types of services

  • Group
  • Individual

Ages

  • Adults

Communities supported

  • LGBTQIA+

Languages

  • English

Insurance & Licensure

Insurance accepted

Aetna
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Allied Benefit System
  • Aetna GEHA
  • Aetna Gravie
  • Aetna Marpai
  • Aetna Meritain
  • Aetna WebTPA
Anthem
Cigna
  • Cigna
  • Cigna TPA
  • Cigna-EAP
  • Medical Mutual
ClaimDOC
Corporate Counseling Associates Inc.
Decent
Home State Health
OccuNet
Partners Direct
Prime Health
United Health Care
  • Medica
  • Optum - Carveout
  • Optum VA
  • Optum/United-EAP
  • Oscar Health Plan
  • United All Savers
  • United GEHA/Shared Services
  • United Healthcare
  • United Healthcare Golden Rule
  • United Oxford
  • United Student Resources
  • United Surest
  • United UMR
Unity Preferred Network

Licensure

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

Licensed in

  • Missouri: 2018044457