Carla Brun, LICSW, PMH-C

(she/her/ella)

Hi, I'm Carla.

I'm a therapist in DC who specializes in working with adults experiencing anxiety, perinatal mental health challenges, trauma, and life transitions. But more than anything, I love helping people feel more empowered in their lives, grow in their confidence, and understand themselves better.

Whether we work together virtually or in person at my downtown DC office, my biggest hope is that you leave therapy sessions feeling supported and able to see the unique strengths that already exist within you.

The Work We Do Together

Therapy shouldn't feel like talking to a blank, boring wall; it is a live, real relationship. You can expect questions, reflections, and feedback from me. And I welcome the same from you, too. Together, we work through what's been feeling challenging, while also celebrating the little (and big!) wins along the way.

Each of us brings something important to the therapy room. On my end, I bring over a decade of clinical experience, specialized training in trauma and perinatal mental health, and my own life experiences. Your unique perspective, cultural wisdom, and emotional insights are also just as important to the work that we do.

What that looks like in practice:

Learning to Pause

Through mindfulness and somatic approaches, we practice slowing down and connecting with your body. You'll learn to notice the physical signals of strong emotions (the tightness of anxiety, the heat of anger) before they take over. In doing so, you'll gain space between a stressful event and your reaction. This can lead to fewer blow-ups or shutdowns and a much greater sense of calm in high-pressure moments.

Connecting the Dots

Using psychodynamic therapy, we explore the "why" behind your current struggles, seeing the thread between past experiences and present-day patterns. Instead of feeling blindsided by your own reactions, you'll start to understand the logic behind them. Instead of getting stuck in the same cycles, you can recognize what's happening and respond in ways that reflect your present reality, not outdated survival strategies.

Shifting Patterns

With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we get specific about unhelpful thought patterns and build a toolkit of practical strategies to shift the story you tell yourself.

When you notice intrusive thoughts, you'll have strategies to reduce the power those thoughts have over you. You'll leave sessions with a clear plan to handle daily challenges without getting stuck in a spiral.

My Background and Perspective

Before working with adults, I began my career as a pediatric therapist. Working with children gave me insight into how early relationships and family dynamics shape us. This perspective can be valuable for people who are coming to therapy to process difficult childhoods, as well as parents raising young children. Being a pediatric therapist has also helped reinforce the importance of playfulness and joy in the therapy room. I strongly believe deep, transformative work doesn't always need to be heavy or serious. Laughter and play have a valuable role in therapy for adults, too.

As a bilingual (Spanish/English) Latina therapist, I recognize the importance of language and identity. In therapy, we can explore how race, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, culture, and other aspects of identity show up in your life. I often work with English-dominant clients who are multilingual, and I especially welcome the use of whatever language feels most emotionally resonant in the moment, even if it's one I don't speak. Because some experiences are best expressed in the language they were lived in.

Education and Certifications

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
American University

Master's in Social Work, Clinical Practice in Mental Health
New York University

Certificate in Working with Children and Adolescents: Relational Psychoanalytic Approaches

National Institute for the Psychotherapies

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Evergreen Certifications

Basic Training in EMDR Therapy

Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute

Certificate in Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies
Collectively Rooted

Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)

Postpartum Support International

Who I am Outside of Therapy

When I’m not working, you can find me practicing yoga, imperfectly working on an art project, or having a Bad Bunny living room dance party with my kid.

Spirituality and mindfulness practices are also important parts of my life. They have deepened my appreciation for the ways connection to ourselves, others, nature, and something larger than ourselves can support us through life's challenges.

How I show up in my own life is similar to how I show up in the therapy room. I value openness, creativity, and play, and I do my best to bring that energy into our sessions.

Let's connect

If you're curious about whether working together might feel like a good fit, I offer free 15-minute consultations. I look forward to hearing from you!