Dr. Carly Girnun

Dr. Carly Girnun

Postdoctoral Fellow

You made it here and I am so glad you did.

You have shown up for yourself and are one step closer to leading the life you have always deserved to live. 

You might be here for many reasons—perhaps you’re facing challenges in your relationships, struggling with feelings of depression, or feeling overwhelmed trying to process a traumatic life event.

You may be worried about your teenager or child, or you might be grappling with emotions you’ve never fully explored. No matter what has brought you to this moment, I’m so glad you’re here. 

Dr. Carly Girnun, Licensed Psychologist of South Miami Psychology Group

Remember, your present circumstances do not determine where you can go; they merely indicate where you are beginning.

It’s common to focus on symptoms—like anxiety, depression, or irritability—without exploring the deeper issues at play. I’m here to help you uncover those layers, explore your relationships, and identify what truly matters to you. Perhaps you’re grappling with heavy emotions that impact your daily life. Maybe your relationships feel unsatisfying, or you’re exhausted by cycles you can’t seem to shift. Together, we’ll explore these patterns and create new ones. I will be by your side supporting you as we move through it all together. It is my job to create a space where you can walk in and simply “be.” You deserve to show up exactly as you are while exploring who you are and what you need.

A Safe Space to Process and Grow

I know firsthand how nerve-wracking it can be to step into a therapy space for the first time whether it’s for you or your family. Facing your past experiences, relationships, and fears can feel daunting, but you are not alone; I am here to help! We’ll tackle this journey together as a team.

I promise to begin by guiding you through the therapy process and to stay by your side through every step of the way. I aspire to create a space where you feel heard and supported as you navigate life’s experiences, anxiety, and daily challenges. We’ll figure out what works best for you and explore what might be keeping you stuck. I use an integrative, client-centered approach, combining Cyclical Psychodynamic Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Attachment Theory to meet your specific needs. I’m committed to fostering a supportive, safe, and healing environment for you and your loved ones.

 

It is important for me to work alongside you whether you are my individual client needing a space to process prior experiences, a couple hoping to increase connection, or a parent concerned about your child’s behavior, to help foster a space of safety and connection while lessening that voice of shame. Whether it is rooted in your early life experiences or shows up in your child’s school environment, shame is all around us. Shame is a powerful emotion, often leaving us fearing that we’re not good enough.  Together, we will work through and process your shame so you can see yourself in the best possible light.

 

I have always been deeply committed to working with children and adolescents, particularly those facing a wide range of mental health challenges. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of anxiety, depression, or trauma, I believe that every young person deserves a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where they feel safe to express their emotions and work through their experiences. I recognize the profound impact that early intervention can have on shaping a child’s emotional well-being and future relationships, and I am honored to support them in their journey toward healing and growth. 

About Me

I grew up in Miami, Florida, and have been passionate about psychology for as long as I can remember. I feel truly privileged to help foster a healing space for each of my clients. I believe therapy should be a safe, nurturing environment where every client’s needs are met with openness and understanding. It should be a room that you can walk into knowing you can truly be yourself. It is my intention to never take for granted the immense privilege I have to sit with my clients exactly where they are, allowing them to feel safe for being who they are, while helping them get where they are going.

 When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, listening to good music, soaking up the sunshine and ocean, and dancing around. I am a strong believer in equal rights for all. This is a space that you are encouraged to ALWAYS come as you are. 

 Throughout my early career, I have been passionate about providing services to individuals across the lifespan who are impacted by trauma, life stressors, and relational difficulties. I am committed to providing a therapy space to those who are needing it: whether it be to an adult male who never had the opportunity to process his emotions, an adolescent navigating life transitions, or to a young child who is demonstrating challenging behaviors. My experience spans across a variety of settings, including:

  • Providing individual therapy at a local practice 
  • EMDR to trauma survivors
  • individual and family psychotherapy to caregivers and children through a Telehealth clinic
  • Providing short and long term therapy for students within a college counseling center
  • Offering milieu therapy to teenagers within a secondary high school
  • Providing individual therapy within a substance use rehabilitation center
  • Offering free therapeutic services with uninsured patients at a student run primary care clinic. 
  • Administered assessments at a local private practice 
  • Worked with Miami-Dade County to offer individual therapy, parent coaching, family therapy, and group therapy within the community.

 These opportunities have given me a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges you may face.

 You did it – and took the first steps to begin showing up for yourself! I am proud of you and excited to begin this journey alongside you as you create the life you want for yourself.

My Areas of Specialty

  • Adolescent and Young Adult Therapy
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Men’s mental health
  • Adult individual psychotherapy
  • Couple psychotherapy
  • Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
  • Transitional periods / Change
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma

Therapeutic Modalities

  • EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
  • Integrative client-centered approach utilizing:
  • Cyclical Psychodynamic Theory
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Attachment Theory
    • Psychodynamic Therapy

Take a moment to acknowledge the progress you’ve made…

…and be proud of yourself for how far you have come. It may not have been easy, but you did it, you are here! I will sit alongside you, to help you navigate life’s difficulties. Together we will work to help you figure out where you want to be and to get you there.