Carol Costner, LPC

Carol Costner is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in Alabama who helps people manage stress and anxiety. She meets people where they are and focuses on practical steps to reduce distress and build day-to-day coping skills. Her approach is direct but warm, aimed at helping clients access their own ability to move toward a more balanced life.

Carol trained first as a nurse, then earned a master’s degree in community counseling from Jacksonville State University. She brings 21 years of total experience supporting people through emotional and relational struggles. That background includes work in hospital and community settings with a wide range of concerns.

In sessions she uses client-centered methods, which mean the person’s own experience guides the work. She also weaves in cognitive behavioral ideas and mindfulness to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different actions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas are part of her toolkit, helping people live in line with their values even when difficult feelings remain.

Carol tends to focus on practical skills like breathing and grounding, clearer communication, and steps to manage panic or intense worry. She also addresses relationship strain, grief, parenting stress, career stress, guilt, shame, and compassion fatigue. Her style aims to be straightforward while still empathetic.

She asks new clients to use a short matching questionnaire to begin the process and to schedule sessions once matched. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How Carol’s Approaches Work Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings while taking actions that match what matters to them. It is often used for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and panic symptoms.

Finding the best approach is part of the work together. Carol will collaborate with each person to see which methods fit their goals and preferences, adjusting techniques as needed. The process is guided by the client’s experience and what proves most helpful in session.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session formats before booking since specific options are not listed here. Many people find virtual care helps fit therapy into busy schedules, makes checking in between obligations easier, and supports consistent follow-through on skills practice. Online sessions can make it simpler to use mindfulness exercises, practice breathing or grounding in the moment, or do brief homework between meetings. Licensed professionals can tailor pacing and activities to match each person’s day-to-day life while working toward clearer communication and better coping.