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Dr. Carole Matlen

Dr. Carole Matlen

CA Psychologist 17461 · California

Experienced psychologist blending evidence-based approaches

Continue with Carole

Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

  • 30 years experience
  • Focus on trauma
  • Adoption and foster care

About Carole

Dr. Carole Matlen is a California psychologist with three decades of clinical experience. She brings a background in teaching and ministry into her practice to support people who are feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Her work focuses on helping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and related concerns.

She has practiced in a range of clinical settings, which gives her a broad, practical perspective on common life struggles. She uses a mix of approaches so care can be tailored to each person rather than following a single formula. Sessions emphasize building strengths, increasing confidence, and practical steps that can be used between meetings.

Dr. Matlen commonly addresses grief, loss, anger, and eating or body image concerns alongside relationship difficulties and family-of-origin issues. Adoption and foster care concerns are listed among her additional focus areas. She also helps people dealing with parenting stress, compassion fatigue, and the effects of trauma and abuse.

Her approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered methods, attachment-based ideas, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and emotionally-focused work. That combination lets her shift between present-focused skill building and understanding deeper emotional patterns as needed. The goal is to find what works for each person in real life.

People who connect well with her tend to want practical change and an honest, respectful partnership. She presents therapy as a team effort and helps clients set clear, realistic goals. To begin, readers are encouraged to use the site's Start Therapy flow to match and schedule a session.

How therapeutic approaches guide online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them and then take actions that match their values. It can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions by focusing on what matters and small steps toward it. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds influence current relationships and emotional patterns; it can help people who notice repeated hurt in close relationships or strong fears of abandonment. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the person’s own experience and choice, giving space for each person to set the pace and topics for therapy.

Finding the best approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Over time they adjust methods so sessions match the client’s needs rather than sticking to one fixed plan.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people meet a therapist whose experience matches their concerns even if that professional is located elsewhere in the state. Ask about exact scheduling, session length, and any format details when you arrange your first appointment.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disorders

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, eating and body image concerns, addictions, grief, parenting strain, anger, self esteem, career changes, bipolar disorder, and coping with life transitions.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style mixes practical skill building and deeper emotional work. Sessions focus on strengths, clear goals, and steps people can try between sessions.

What is her clinical background?

She has about 30 years of clinical experience and a background in teaching and ministry that informs her way of working.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is listed as CA Psychologist 17461 and practices in California.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

The biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.

How does payment or cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started with therapy?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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Dr. Carole MatlenOnline therapy options on BetterHelp

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