
Carlita L. Coley, LPC
As a woman, a person of color, a human with a disability, and a mother of three adult children - two of whom identify as a part of the LBGTQ+ community - Carlita has firsthand experience with the challenges of exclusion and belonging. Her lived experience, combined with her education, forms the foundation from which she empowers others to understand and accept all of who they are and use that knowledge to walk confidently through life.
Education and Experience
Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bowie State University
Masters Degree in Community Counseling from Old Dominion University
​
Carlita is the proud founder of Melanin Mental Health and Wellness, PLLC, a Virginia Board of Counseling Approved Supervisor and Licensed Professional Counselor. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in providing mental health services to women and children navigating anxiety and depression. Her therapeutic approach blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive and Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) and Mindfulness to support healing and personal growth.
​
In addition to her clinical work, Carlita is a published author. She has written Eve's Exodus, a psychoeducational memoir, as well as two psychoeducational therapy journals - Renew and Rise, designed to support women on their trauma healing journey, and Bye Anxiety a guide managing anxiety.
