CS Portrait of Dr. Carol Schmidt

Dr. Carol Schmidt, LCSW

Calm, practical help for stress and anxiety

10 years in practice · based in California · sessions in English · online sessions

Book with Carol

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.

About Carol

Dr. Carol Schmidt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California who helps people coping with stress and anxiety. She works with individuals facing grief, depression, life changes, relationship strain, and parenting concerns.

Her style is warm and direct, aimed at making therapy feel understandable and practical from the first session. She brings ten years of practice to each meeting and focuses on clear, manageable steps. Sessions typically include talking through current problems, identifying unhelpful thought patterns, and trying small experiments between appointments.

Book with Carol Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

She prefers plain language and concrete strategies that fit into a busy life. Dr. Schmidt uses elements of Client-Centered Therapy to listen and reflect what matters most to the person in front of her.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot thinking and behavior patterns that keep problems going. Psychodynamic ideas are used when looking at how past experiences shape present reactions. Her work often centers on practical coping skills for panic, social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and mood swings.

She supports people dealing with family conflict, blended family issues, and the emotional fallout of separation or divorce. Career stress, low self-esteem, and feelings of isolation are also common topics in her practice. Throughout therapy she aims to be collaborative, helping people choose approaches that fit their goals.

Sessions are intended to be a mix of understanding and action so progress feels real and useful.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and reflecting what matters most to the person seeking help. Online sessions let the therapist follow the client's pace and priorities while offering room to talk through immediate worries and decisions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. In remote sessions this often means identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, practicing new behaviors between meetings, and reviewing progress together during video or phone calls.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences and help choose methods that fit those needs. That discussion is collaborative and can change as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. Video calls let for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can work well with lower bandwidth, live chat is useful for short check-ins, and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between meetings. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent and to try strategies when they matter most.
Book with Carol Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does Dr. Schmidt address?
She supports people managing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, family and relationship issues, and related problems such as panic, OCD symptoms, and mood disorders.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach?
Her approach is straightforward and collaborative, blending listening with practical strategies. She focuses on finding steps that fit daily life and reduce distress.
What kind of background and experience does she have?
She has ten years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and interpersonal concerns and uses several evidence-informed approaches in her practice.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California.
What languages are offered and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She meets with people via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
10 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.