Carly Cannavina, LGPC

she/her

ASSOCIATE counselor, level 2

Serving DC Clients

I am a licensed graduate professional counselor serving clients ages 7 through adult virtually in DC and working towards certification as a registered play therapist, under the supervision of Laura Morlok, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S.

As a graduate student, I was a clinical intern right here at Playful Therapy Connections, working with neurodivergent children, teens and adults providing individual and group therapy sessions, utilizing play therapy and digital play therapy.

Before I entered the mental health field, I got my undergraduate degree in public health and worked for NGLCC, a non-profit advocacy organization that supports LGBTQ businesses.

As a multiply-neurodivergent person, I am particularly drawn to working with Autistic, ADHD and PDA teens and adults as well as those with dissociative-spectrum experiences.

What does my experience mean for you as my client?

My clients can expect a person-centered therapist who understands how the culture we live in informs individuals' mental health, and who helps them develop a safe relationship with themselves to lean on.

As someone with experience in the field of public health, I have a systems-level approach to topics like disability and inequality. This means that rather than pathologizing your experiences, our work will include acknowledgements of the forces outside of you that impact your mental health. We’ll focus on identifying your needs, sitting with, rather than suppressing, the emotions involved and making environmental and relational adaptations and accommodations where possible.

*Portrait by Nathan McConnell*
When I’m not in the therapy room, you can find me writing, collaging, or sitting in the sun.

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Frequently Asked Questions…

What is your favorite color?
- I try to decorate everything as rainbow/multicolor as possible.
What are your favorite TV show?
- Bob’s Burgers.
What’s your favorite video game?
- Animal Crossing.
Do you have any pets?
- I have a tortoise shell cat named Bear.

Why did you decide to be a therapist?
- My personal experiences as a neurodivergent person seeking therapy showed me how difficult the mental health industry can be for ND people to navigate.
- It became clear to me that there's a need for affirming practitioners who have a baseline understanding of their clients' experiences.