Carla Hilderbrand

Therapy doesn’t have to feel cold, clinical, or uncomfortable. I believe meaningful healing happens when the work feels genuine, supportive, and—at times—even a little fun. I bring humor, honesty, and compassion into every session so you can feel fully seen, accepted, and understood.

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I’m passionate about supporting people from diverse backgrounds who are navigating complex, layered emotional challenges. While some therapists avoid clients with certain diagnoses, my practice is rooted in destigmatizing all mental health experiences. You deserve care that honors the whole of who you are, without judgment. This is a space where you can explore even your most confusing, painful, or vulnerable feelings safely and openly. I have a particular love for working with people who have a prior diagnosis of BiPolar 1 or 2, Schizoaffective Disorder, Personality Disorders 

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My style is compassionate, direct, and practical. I use humor to keep the process grounded and human as we work together to strengthen emotional resilience, improve relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change. I also provide couples therapy, discernment counseling and conscious uncoupling sessions for partners navigating conflict, transitions, or uncertainty about their relationship’s future.

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I work with adults, teens, couples, and families, affirming all genders, identities, and definitions of family. My practice is sex-positive, kink-affirming, and welcoming of polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous relationships. For families of all configurations, therapy offers a place to repair communication, nurture connection, and support healthier, more sustainable dynamics.

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I hold a Master’s in Social Work with a Trauma Therapy certification from Simmons University, as well as a Master’s in Opera Performance from the University of Illinois. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve worked extensively with adolescents and families in settings such as suicide-crisis intervention, school-based mental health programs, and services supporting youth transitioning from detention or inpatient psychiatric care.