Dr. Carla Groves is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of Mind Your Self. Her education includes an undergraduate degree in Psychology, master’s degrees in Social Work and Emergency and Disaster Management, and a Doctorate in Behavioral Health with an emphasis in Integrated Health. She is currently working on a PhD in Social Psychology.
Her primary scope of clinical work and research has been trauma (domestic violence, sexual assault, and PTSD, including that which is combat related), although she has successfully treated a variety of issues, including those which are military related, divorce, depression, anxiety, anger management, and a variety of mental disorders that require more intensive outpatient treatment. Her professional experience includes working with several specialized populations as well, including severely emotionally disturbed (SED) children and adolescents; the elderly (dementia and Alzheimer’s focus, along with supportive care and hospice); and dual diagnosis individuals with severe and persistent mental illness along with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities. She has worked extensively with transitioning military personnel, Veterans, and their families; individuals transitioning from prison, parole, and probation; and those working with chronic disease management.
Her clinical work is client-centered; she works with the individual on goals that the client helps establish, with a variety of treatment modalities best suited to the individual’s strengths and preferences. Her treatment methods are based on each client’s needs, preferences, and strengths and are focused on building awareness, mindfulness, and success in attaining each client’s individual objectives, whatever those may be.
Carla has been trained in:
- Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
- Cognitive Processing therapy (CPT)
- Rational Emotive Behavioral therapy (REBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT)
Carla’s treatment is generally integrated, with elements of several of these treatment modalities combined.
In 2021, Carla focused heavily on developing mental health partnerships with community organizations throughout the city. In 2022, Carla and her team are working on the development of health and wellness programs which will focus on both the mental and physical health of all ages. Carla’s focus now is also on promoting learning for the clinical community; she developed and facilitates one of the few state-approved courses to become a clinical supervisor, and Mind Your Self continues to provide quality Continuing Education learning opportunities to members of the mental health community.
Carla is a Gold Star wife and identifies heavily with Active-Duty military, Veterans, and their families. She has previously served on the Executive Boards of two other non-profits, including the Alaska chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
