Meet Your Therapist, Carly.

Meet Carly Thomas!

Carly’s pronouns are she/they. She is a Registered Social Worker and has been a practitioner with Positive Perspectives since 2023.

We sat down with Carly to ask them questions so that our community (if you’re reading this, that means you!) could get to know them better. Enjoy!

What drew you to this work?

The simple answer to why I am a therapist is because I deeply love people and building relationships with them. I was drawn to social services and counselling, like many, because of my own journey. For me, that story has a lot to do with my culture as a mixed-Indigenous person and seeing the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma on my family and community.

I am a naturally curious and spiritual person who has always been drawn towards introspection and reflection. I love walking alongside folks as they gain the skills and courage to explore all the parts of who they are so that they may live more authentically in their lives. I was drawn to therapy at Positive Perspectives because it allows me to not only support others' growth but it calls on me to continually grow, learn and reflect in order to do the job effectively. 

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting therapy?

I would have liked to have had a better understanding of the different types of therapy available and what different professionals can offer. Navigating the mental health field is so challenging and these obstacles can make finding a therapist feel really discouraging. I wish I would have understood that finding a therapist is a relationship. Like in any relationship, I can ask for what I want knowing that not every relationship is a good match. And that's okay!

What is your experience or educational background?

I have been working in the social services field for fifteen years. I have worked across the field in specialized treatment homes, alternative education, crisis intervention, family reunification, with sexually exploited youth, as well as in youth, adult, and family counseling.

I am a foster parent, educator and researcher. I have my yoga instructor training, reiki training and mindfulness teacher training. I started my academic career studying conflict resolution studies and psychology and then decided to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work degree after completing a certificate in Applied Psychology.

Tell us a little bit more about your road to becoming a therapist...

I wanted to be in the helping profession for as long as I can remember. When I was in grade 10 I met a teacher who provided me literature on Indigenous intergenerational trauma and colonization. That started me on a path of cultural reclamation and seriously looking at how I could advocate for my community.

I followed that path into social services and then academically into Psychology, where I had hoped to become a psychologist. I quickly realized how challenging university was for me, and left to move abroad to teach and became a yoga and mindfulness teacher. Through the practice of meditation and yoga I became acquainted with my mind and started becoming curious about how neurodiversity - specifically ADHD and Dyslexia (which I was diagnosed with at ten years old) may have impacted my ability to be successful in university.

I returned home after three years abroad and wanted to try again. I looked into a couple of programs and felt that Psychology lacked the anti-oppressive and decolonizing lens that I wanted to be learning from and chose to pursue Social Work. During these years I worked in social services across many areas. I have worked for several non-for-profits and have experienced immense burnout which has led me further into my own personal healing journey.

Sometime around this point, I became convinced that I should leave the helping profession altogether because of the ways that my own life experiences seemed to point me in the direction of helping others. Through cultural reclamation as well as work with my own therapist in the Internal Family Systems model. I learned to love that part of my spirit that can help and balance that with the other parts of who I am.

Through ceremony and therapy of my own, I decided to really pursue private practice and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for leaning into what it means to be authentic and love all the parts of me while listening to what spirit has called on me to do. 

What is your favorite part about being a therapist?

My favourite part of being a therapist is relationship building with clients and facilitating a safe space to welcome the parts of themselves that feel scary or uncomfortable and to always be learning and growing.

What topics light you up when you’re in session?

• Queer exploration 

• Sex and pleasure 

• Neurodiversity 

• ADHD

• Cultural reclamation 

• Relationship dynamics 

• Navigating polyamory or ENM

• Intergenerational trauma 

• Complex trauma 

• Gender exploration

What theories or styles of therapy do you lean into?

• Internal Family Systems

• Circle of Security 

• Trauma informed therapy 

• Relationship based therapy 

• Person-centered 

• Brain based 

• Systems approach  

• Harm reduction/pleasure advocacy 

• Stages of change 

• Mindfulness focused therapy 

• Anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, anti-capitalism

What is your availability like?

I offer in-person, phone, or video sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays. 

Are you accepting new guests into your practice?

Yes I am! I would love to connect with you in a free, no-obligation 20-minute phone consultation! Simply send me an email at cthomas.rsw@gmail.com to inquire.

What do you like to do with your time outside of work?

• Hike 

• Yoga 

• Be with the earth 

• Garden 

• Spend time with friends and family 

• Music festivals 

• Write poetry 

• Paint and create art 

• Cycle 

• Read 

• Traditional ceremonies

Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names?

I have one dog who is a recuse, and her name is Nova!

Do you have a favourite motto or quote?

“As an Indigenous person you were meant to be eradicated. Your very existence is political.”  - Kino-nda-niimi Collective

“The opposite of belonging is fitting in.” - Brene Brown 

“Knowing oneself comes from attending with compassionate curiosity to what is happening within.” - Gabor Mate

“Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.” - Barbra Gittings

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I am not sure what the best advice I was given is, but I know the best thing I have ever been encouraged to do is to reconnect to my culture and live in alignment with all of the parts of who I am.

To connect further with Carly…

Send an email to positive.info.wpg@gmail.com. Want to continue the conversation in person? Schedule a session with Carly by visiting our website.