Practice Philosophy:
Carey Werley is a clinical social worker who works with children, teens and young adults. An upbeat and engaging clinician, she provides a supportive and welcoming space for individuals and families to achieve treatment goals. Often referred to as “the feelings doctor” by her young patients, she teaches kids to recognize emotions and build brave muscles. Carey easily builds rapport, using humor and a genuine interest in a child or teen’s favorite activities, whether learning about a video game or making a silly tiktok video. With creativity and flexibility she adapts her treatment to each individual, drawing from her extensive training to incorporate therapies that help clients be their best selves.
Under Carey’s guidance, children, teens, and adults develop strategies to reduce perfectionistic tendencies, manage anxious thoughts, improve relationships, and problem solve more effectively. She often accompanies clients into the real world to practice interacting in uncomfortable situations, leading to increased confidence, strength, and long-term coping strategies. Carey also supports parents and other caregivers with strategies and recommendations to reinforce, reward, and encourage their child’s progress. With specialized training as a SPACE facilitator (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), she teaches parents of anxious children and teens important skills that reduce their child’s anxiety symptoms.
Areas of Expertise:
Carey specializes in treating children, adolescents and young adults with anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, phobias, OCD, and selective mutism. She also treats individuals with trauma related disorders. Additionally, she also has experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, depression, ADHD, and other mood- and behavior-related disorders. Carey has received extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP), Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT), SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), and Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM).
Experience and Training:
Carey received her master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University’s School of Social Work and her BA in psychology from Syracuse University. She previously served as a clinical social worker at the Child Mind institute and at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in New York. In her career she has delivered educational presentations on a variety of subjects to schools including anxiety disorders, selective mutism, high risk behavioral management, adolescent development and trauma. Carey is a Level 2 Trained RO-DBT provider, and offers a skills class at The Ross Center. She also has experience providing school-based consultation and collaboration with teachers and other providers to enhance treatment. Carey is passionate about empowering youth and families to learn the skills to overcome their challenges and reach their fullest potential.
Blog Posts and Events:
- Facilitator: RO DBT Skills Class for Adults
- Blog Post: What is RO DBT?
- Facilitator: Parenting a Child with ADHD: How to Help Your Child Flourish
- Blog Post: ADHD Time Management: Overcoming Procrastination and Taking Control
- Facilitator: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Group
