- Addictions and recovery
- Young adult issues
- CBT and ACT informed
About Carmela
Dr. Carmela Drake is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama with 25 years of experience. She works with young adults and others on addictions, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, relationship and career concerns, and life changes.
Drake uses practical talking and structured techniques in sessions. She leans on cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. She also uses client-centered methods that let the person set the pace and focus of conversations.
Motivational interviewing is part of how she helps people find reasons to change and build small steps forward. Solution-focused techniques are used to set short-term goals and notice progress. These methods are useful when someone is dealing with substance use, process addictions, codependency, or trouble managing emotions like anger.
Her background includes many years working in addictions and mental health services, including work with students and young adults navigating transitions out of school or sports. That experience informs practical guidance about coping with life transitions, workplace stress, and money or career decisions.
Sessions are straightforward and collaborative. She talks through concrete strategies, helps people weigh options, and supports building new routines. The tone is respectful and direct, aimed at helping someone move through a difficult season and handle the demands of early adulthood.
Working with ACT, CBT and client-centered methods online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings and decide what matters to them. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood, and making values-based choices during life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical exercises to change patterns that cause stress or interfere with goals. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and following the client's priorities so sessions move at a comfortable pace and reflect what the person wants to work on.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to pick methods that match their goals, whether that means building new routines, addressing addictive behaviors, or managing career and relationship stress. This is a shared process where approaches can be adjusted as needs become clearer.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current online options before booking. In practice, online appointments can make it easier to fit counseling around classes, work, or travel. They can also allow for shorter check-ins, audio-only conversations when video isn't convenient, or scheduled blocks that match a busy week. These practical benefits help therapy fit into everyday life without requiring major schedule changes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Alabama
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She supports people with addictions, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, relationship and career issues, and young adult concerns like transitions after school or sports.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style mixes cognitive behavioral methods with client-centered listening and motivational interviewing to set goals and try practical changes.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years working in addictions and mental health, including experience with student-athletes and young adults moving through life transitions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats does she offer?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an initial session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.