Carly Gelb, LCSW
Compassionate Illinois LCSW for anxiety and relationships
- Anxiety and stress
- Addictions support
- Relationship work
About Carly Gelb
Carly Gelb is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois who brings eight years of clinical experience to her work. She specializes in a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety and panic disorder, substance use and addictions, stress, anger, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, and issues related to self-esteem and intimacy. She also supports clients facing challenges with parenting, career transitions, eating and sleeping concerns, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue, among other areas.
Carly centers her practice on a non-judgmental, client-centered stance that puts the individual in the driver’s seat of their therapy. She draws from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based techniques to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. Her sessions often incorporate creative and experiential tools - including art, guided meditation, worksheets, and journaling - when clients are open to those methods.
Known for offering an attentive and supportive presence, she focuses on helping people uncover strengths and develop practical skills to navigate life’s challenges. Carly aims to create a collaborative, respectful space where clients can explore patterns, process difficult emotions, and work toward meaningful change.
Carly centers her practice on a non-judgmental, client-centered stance that puts the individual in the driver’s seat of their therapy. She draws from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based techniques to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. Her sessions often incorporate creative and experiential tools - including art, guided meditation, worksheets, and journaling - when clients are open to those methods.
Known for offering an attentive and supportive presence, she focuses on helping people uncover strengths and develop practical skills to navigate life’s challenges. Carly aims to create a collaborative, respectful space where clients can explore patterns, process difficult emotions, and work toward meaningful change.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Drug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMoney and financial issuesNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Carly Gelb have?
Carly Gelb has 8 years of experience.
Is Carly Gelb a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: IL LCSW 149.023733.
In which languages does Carly Gelb provide therapy?
Carly Gelb provides therapy in English.
Where is Carly Gelb located?
Carly Gelb is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Carly Gelb as my therapist?
You can work with Carly Gelb through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Carly Gelb work with international clients?
Carly Gelb does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Carly Gelb cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Carly Gelb draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide online work. ACT focuses on helping people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present - it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and struggles with motivation. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship in which the therapist listens closely and supports the client in identifying their own goals and solutions - this approach can help with relationship concerns, self-esteem, and processing emotions. CBT offers practical strategies to identify and adjust unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be helpful for stress, panic, and many mood-related challenges.Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Carly works collaboratively with clients to determine which combination of methods best fits their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors sessions to each person and adapts techniques as goals evolve.
Online therapy with Carly is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling and different communication styles. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, access support from home, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are difficult.