Carly P. MMT (she/they)

Therapy for LGBTQ+ Teens and Adults Across PA, NJ, DE, and NY


Carly sitting at a picnic table, smiling, therapist for LGBTQ people in Paoli, PA and virtually

$65 - $85 / 50-min session

Accepting new clients

Virtual and In Person.

Schedule an appointment with Carly

MA in Ministry and Theology, Villanova University


Obtaining MS in Clinical Mental Health, Villanova University


B.A., Sociology and Leadership & Global Understanding, La Salle University

About Me

Hey there, my name is Carly (She/They) and it would be my pleasure to get to know you. I’ve always been passionate about support for the queer community and empower people to become exactly who they are and strive to be. I absolutely love music, especially if it came from the 2000’s emo scene or if they were on the Warped Tour lineup. I also enjoy history and crafting like crocheting. 

Given my background in sociology, theology, and counseling I am versed in exploring the intersections of different identities whether it’s race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other identity. I’m here to walk with you no matter what the question, no matter where you’re at.

Schedule an appointment with Carly

Specialties

Anxiety and Depression

GA Surgery Letters

Religious Trauma and Pastoral Counseling

Life transitions and environmental changes (specifically in collegiate settings)

Gender Dysphoria,

Gender-affirming care

Minority stressors

Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive, and therapists are always expanding their skill sets.

Let's Figure It Out Together =)

Looking for something specific?

Portrait of Carly P, a therapist specializing in religious trauma for LGBTQ people

Why I Became A Therapist

I became a therapist because I deeply care about people (especially the queer community) and the adversities that they face. I want everyone to embrace the beautiful parts of themselves, harness their inner strength, and be their best selves. I also know that there is a wealth of needs within marginalized communities that have been historically underserved and who are deserving of compassion, care and support. I'm here to do what I can to change that.

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Modalities (at a glance)

  • Person-centered therapy, also referred to as non-directive, client-centered, or Rogerian therapy, was pioneered by Carl Rogers in the early 1940s. This form of psychotherapy is grounded in the idea that people are inherently motivated toward achieving positive psychological functioning. The client is believed to be the expert in their life and leads the general direction of therapy, while the therapist takes a non-directive role. This activity reviews person-centered therapy and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in improving care for patients who undergo person-centered therapy.

  • Narrative therapy is a collaborative, non-blaming therapy that views people as separate from their problems, helping them rewrite their life stories to gain empowerment and agency. It works by externalizing problems (treating them as separate entities) and deconstructing dominant, often negative, stories to discover "unique outcomes" or strengths, allowing clients to author more empowering alternative narratives that reflect their values and goals, rather than being defined by their difficulties. 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented talk therapy that helps people identify and change negative thinking patterns and unhelpful behaviors to improve how they feel and cope with challenges. It's based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and by changing distorted thinking, we can change our emotional responses and actions, making it effective for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.  

  • Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to talk therapy that helps individuals find meaning and purpose by confronting fundamental human concerns like freedom, responsibility, isolation, and death, empowering them to live more authentically and make conscious choices about their lives. It focuses on your subjective experience, recognizing that anxieties over these big questions are natural parts of life, not just symptoms to be cured, and helps you create your own meaning rather than relying on external sources.

Carly wearing a gothic Support your local library tshirt and smiling

Who I Help

Young adults/professionals who are navigating life transition and the stressors that come with them.

LGBTQ+ folks who are seeking support in navigating religious trauma or their spiritual journey.

Clients who want to explore the intersections and areas of tension between their various identities (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious identity, gender identity and expression)

People working through gender dysphoria and identity stress.

Schedule an appointment with Carly

How I Work

  • I want to learn about you and your story, you're the expert and I'm here to listen and learn about you! 

  • I'm not here to judge you. I'm here to see you, and hear you- all of you. We are also on this journey together. I'm here to listen, support, challenge and empower as we both see fit. 

  • You have power within you to accomplish all that you hope to during our time together, whether you know it or not.  I'm here to help you discover, harness and set you up for success during and after our sessions. 

  • Throughout your therapy, we will collaboratively identify and explore your skills and insights, and I'll do the same in providing my own to help you reach your goals. 

  • I always welcome questions, and encourage others to ask them of themselves, the world around them and the systems that we function within. Doesn't matter whether they are big, or small. They're worth asking, and it'd be my pleasure to explore them together! 

A church with a rainbow sidewalk leading to it

What to Expect (first 1–2 sessions)

You get to tell me about yourself!

We define your goals, needs, and what safety and support look like for you.

We co-create a plan to get started (presenting concerns, how frequently you'd like to meet, and where we'd like to begin)

Looking for something specific?

Let's Figure It Out Together =)
Carly throwing the peace sign while posing with a very buxom drag queen

Carly’s Library

Talk to Carly

Carly’s Guide Picks

Resources I often share with clients.

Chromosomes play a significant role in determining biological sex, but the traditional binary understanding of sex as solely male (XY) or female (XX) oversimplifies the complexity of sex determination. Many other chromosomal arrangements and inherent variations in gene expression patterns exist, leading to a more nuanced understanding of sex as a spectrum comprised of many traits. Intersex variations, which encompass a wide range of natural biological differences, can involve differences in chromosomes, external genitalia, internal reproductive organs, hormone production, and hormone responsiveness. These variations challenge the binary classification of sex and highlight the diversity of biological sex characteristics.

Physical and Social Transition Begins

One of the most difficult and frustrating tasks in 2017–18 was finding an endocrinologist who was willing to help Caroline with her 15-month pre-surgical hormone treatment following her decision not to save sperm. I searched her insurance network and called group practices of endocrinologists, one after another, and was told that not only did they not have anyone trained in transgender care, they had no one interested in coming up to speed to do so. Planned Parenthood was not yet offering such care, and the two major hospital systems in our area had no advice about where to go.

Understanding gender identity can feel like a journey into a world full of rich and diverse experiences. At its heart, gender identity is about who you know yourself to be, beyond just the labels society might put on you. It’s a deeply personal part of who we are, and expressing it can be a powerful way to connect with yourself and the world around you.

Supporting a trans child involves actively engaging in their trans experience with curiosity and an open mind. When you ask questions, ensure that you approach your child with genuine interest rather than judgment or bias. This approach is essential in supporting a trans child effectively, as your child will sense your authenticity and feel more comfortable sharing their true feelings and experiences.

Availability & Locations Served

Telehealth for clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York (teens with guardian consent as required and adults).

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Delaware

New York

Schedule an appointment with Carly