Carmen Cooks
Mental Health Therapist
M.A., LIMHP, CPC
What problem do you strive to overcome?
Beginning therapy or returning after time away can feel overwhelming. It is common to feel uncertain or hesitant, and you may wonder what to expect or if the process will truly help.
I strive to create a warm, trauma-informed, and supportive space where you feel safe and respected. Whether this is your first experience in therapy or you are returning after a break, I will meet you where you are and walk alongside you. Together we will use a flexible, integrative approach that may include mindfulness, psychoeducation, and collaborative goal setting. My focus is on helping you build trust, strengthen self-awareness, and move toward what matters most to you.
When clients work with me, they often feel understood, encouraged, and more confident in their ability to face challenges. This sense of support makes it easier to stay engaged, follow through on goals, and create lasting positive change.
Fun Fact: When I am not working you can catch me in my zone making crafting, creating candles, and also working on epoxy/resin projects.
Experience:
I am a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner in Nebraska with a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University. I have over 10 years of experience providing therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, and I specialize in supporting clients through challenges such as serious and persistent mental illness, relationship and behavioral concerns, life transitions, complex trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and grief.
My work is rooted in a person-centered approach, and I am passionate about helping each client feel seen, supported, and empowered as they move through their healing journey. I strive to create a space where you can safely explore your experiences and develop tools for lasting change.
In addition to my clinical practice, I bring more than 20 years of experience in the helping profession, including work in child and family services, developmental disabilities, crisis intervention, and elder care. These diverse experiences have shaped my holistic understanding of people and the systems that influence their lives, which allows me to approach therapy with depth, perspective, and compassion.
Treatment
Carmen's Client Focus:
-Couples, Families, individuals, children (starting at 10+)
Types of Therapy Offered:
-TF-CBT, Mindfulness, DBT, Play Therapy
Insurance:
Medicaid: United Health Care Community, Molina Healthcare of Nebraska
Private: United Health Care, UMR, Aetna, Blue Cross & Blue Shield Nebraska (NEtwork Blue and Premier Select BlueChoice)
Specialties:
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Severe and persistent mental illness
- Depression
- Anxiety
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Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)
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Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
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Grief and loss
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Relationship concerns
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Developmental disabilities
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Anger and emotional regulation
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Intimate partner violence (IPV)
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Women’s issues
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Parenting challenges
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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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Other life difficulties and transitions
