About

Dear Friend,

I’m excited you found me and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you. I am a licensed counselor with a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Andrews University and dual Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Communications. My approach is rooted in integrative, holistic care that considers the broader community of support around each individual.

My clinical experience spans multiple care contexts, including private practice, primary-care environments, educational settings, and clinical supervision, allowing me to support clients across the lifespan with diverse needs. I specialize in trauma recovery work for children and adults as well as helping “over-achievers” of all ages recover from perfectionism and avoid burnout. My work emphasizes rebuilding attachment, strengthening life skills, and fostering resilience so clients can move toward greater emotional safety and stability.

Personally, I see myself as a lifelong student of life. Free time often finds me exploring trails, trying new recipes, discovering stories, or enjoying art. Living on several continents and experiencing diverse cultures has deepened my appreciation for both the variety and shared humanity in all of us—an understanding I bring to my work with clients.

Mary Ellen Carlson, MA, LPC

Owner/Founder of Longmont Counseling Center

“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”

- Peter A. Levine

Therapuetic Approach

My therapeutic approach is direct, compassionate, and focused on helping you see meaningful, tangible progress toward your goals. I believe all areas of your life are connected—your thoughts, emotions, relationships, body experiences, and spiritual values all play an important role in the healing process. I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-informed work, and IFS-informed principles to help you better understand your internal experiences while building practical skills for lasting change. I also use EMDR to help access the brain’s natural capacity for healing, allowing traumatic memories and emotional distress to be processed in a way that supports deeper restoration and relief.