Lia Pate-Carolan, Ph.D.

Lia Pate-Carolan, Ph.D.

Lia Pate-Carolan, Ph.D. has been working with patients for over 12 years. She works with college-age and adult clients using both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic approaches. CBT can help clients understand how what they are thinking affects how they feel and behave. This approach can be useful for replacing problematic thoughts and altering perceptions of the external environment. Dr. Pate-Carolan uses CBT with many of her clients coming in for anxiety and depression. Psychodynamic approaches focus on how the dynamics that get set up earlier in life continue to effect the client. CBT and Psychodynamic approaches can be used separately or in tandem.

Dr. Pate-Carolan helps those experiencing anxiety and depression to attain a more full sense of self and to develop a more full range of coping skills. She meets clients where they are, which also incorporates the idea that clients drive the agenda and that they are the experts on themselves.

Another area of interest for Dr. Pate-Carolan is dealing with chronic pain and health issues. Often these issues are compounded with a significant emotional response. Dr. Pate-Carolan's approach can supplement the medical treatment clients are receiving.

Treatment Philosophy

Dr. Pate-Carolan believes that everyone has the capacity for change. By setting therapeutic goals and developing a strong therapeutic relationship, she helps clients move towards developing the lives they would like to live. She believes it is about changing “how” you are rather than “who” you are.

Dr. Pate-Carolan will work with you to develop strong coping skills that can not only help with the presenting issues of therapy, but can also be related to other struggles in life.

Professional Affiliations

• North Carolina Psychological Association

Publications and Presentations

Dr. Pate-Carolan is the co-author of Practicing Counseling and Psychotherapy: Insights from Trainees, Supervisors, and Clients (2007).

She has presented before The American Psychological Association and The Society for Psycotherapy Research nationally and internationally on topics including supervision, anxiety, interpersonal response modes, and telemedicine.

Education / Licensure

• B.S. In Biology/Psychology from Birmingham-Southern College (Birmingham, AL)
• Ph.D. From Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
• Completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship with the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs (East Orange, NJ)
• Interned at the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs (Lyons and East Orange, NJ)
• Licensed Psychologist, State of North Carolina. License Number: 3230
• Licensed Psychologist, State of New York. License Number: 016708