Karla Tolbert, PhD, LPCCS

“The first and best victory is to conquer self.” – Plato 

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ - Apostle Paul 

The mind can be a scary place to live and a place we cannot easily escape.  My mission in life is to help others create a mind, a mental and emotional  space, that is pleasant, peaceful, resourceful and safe. 

I believe that living mindfully based on one’s values and strengths is the key  to living a happier and healthier life. I utilize a person-centered, mindfulness based approach to working with clients, because healing occurs in a warm,  genuine, supportive and non-judgmental environment. I take a wholistic  approach to well-being addressing not only the mental and emotional self,  but the physical, relational and spiritual self as well, utilizing mindfulness based interventions to assist clients in managing their thoughts and  emotions. 

My counseling experience includes community mental health, college and  private practice with a focus on a variety of mental health issues such as:  anxiety, depression, mood disorders, codependency, race and ethnicity,  intimate partner relationships, family conflict, parental training, self-esteem  and stress. I work with adults, couples and older adolescents. I have also been certified as a facilitator of the Prepare/Enrich Assessment for premarital and married couples.

I received my Ph.D. in Psychology from Northcentral University, my master’s degree in counseling from Cincinnati Christian University and my  undergraduate degree in History from the University of Cincinnati. I have a  background in teaching and education. 

I enjoy meditation, reading, writing, researching, movies, dining out, music,  dance cardio, fitness and spending time with family and friends. 

“Mindfulness... doesn’t change life. Life remains as fragile and unpredictable  as ever. Mediation changes the heart’s capacity to accept life as it is.” – Sylvia Boorstein