Dr. Carole Matlen, CA Psychologist 17461

Emotionally-Focused Therapy
ACT and CBT approaches
Attachment-based work

About Carole

Dr. Carole Matlen is a California psychologist with three decades of clinical experience. She holds the credential CA Psychologist 17461 and practices in California. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, eating issues, addictions, grief, parenting strains, anger, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.

Matlen brings a background in teaching and ministry into her work. She has practiced in many clinical settings, which she says gives her a broad, thoughtful perspective on helping people. She routinely addresses family of origin issues, abandonment and attachment concerns, blended family problems, and adoption and foster-care related questions.

Her approach mixes several methods. She commonly uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to look at emotions and attachment patterns. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address thoughts, behavior, and values. Client-centered and attachment-based ideas appear in how she listens and responds.

In sessions she aims to help people notice patterns that cause distress and practice different ways of responding. That can mean naming painful feelings, trying new behaviors, or working on communication skills. She also supports people dealing with eating and body-image issues, codependency, commitment worries, and career-related stress.

Matlen describes the process as collaborative. She invites clients to outline goals and then uses approaches that fit those goals. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial appointment through the online therapy options button.

How her approaches translate to online work

Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps identify and name powerful emotions and attachment patterns that shape relationships. In brief, EFT looks at how feelings and interaction cycles keep problems going and helps people try different ways of responding. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on values and committed action; it helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings and take steps that match what matters to them.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each client to decide which methods fit their issues, goals, and preferences. That shared planning can include trying EFT-led emotion work, ACT exercises for values, or CBT techniques for managing unhelpful thoughts.

Confirm the current session formats before booking, since formats are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, shorten check-in time when needed, and allow options that do not require travel. Talk with the therapist during the matching and scheduling steps about the practical arrangements that best fit everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Intimacy-related issuesEating disorders

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issues Blended family issuesBody imageCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Mood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobia Women's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Listed in

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, eating and body-image issues, addictions, grief, parenting strains, anger, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapeutic style?

She combines Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered and attachment-based ideas to respond to each person's needs.

How long has she practiced?

She has 30 years of experience working in a variety of clinical settings.

What are her credentials and where does she practice?

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

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she take international clients?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions billed?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.