Carla Hubbard, MS, LMHC, Ed.S, RPT
About Me
Hi, I'm Carla! One of the more unexpected things about me is that I was a baton twirler, or a "majorette" as we called it back then. By age 15, I was teaching younger students & eventually had about 40 students in my own group. That's really where I first discovered my love of working with children. That love carried me into a full career in education, spending nearly 40 years as a teacher, school counselor, and school administrator. When I retired, I wasn't ready to leave children behind, so for the past four years I've worked as a child therapist specializing in play therapy.
Outside of work, I love anything creative, especially music and singing, shopping, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing by the water. I'd describe myself as compassionate, optimistic, creative, and always eager to learn. People close to me would say I'm energetic, encouraging, organized, and someone who doesn't give up on kids, and I laugh often, even on hard days.
My Specialties
ADHD & Autism
Emotion Regulation
Family Issues & Transitions
Anxiety
and related disorders (OCD training pending)
Behavioral Issues
Parent- Child Relationships
Adoption & Attachment Concerns
A 'Lil Bit More Info
AGES SEEN
My sweet spot is children ages 3 to 9. Young children naturally express themselves through play rather than words, and I love helping families understand what their child is really communicating beneath their behaviors. As a play therapist, I've seen how early intervention through play therapy can change the entire trajectory of a child's development, which makes this work incredibly rewarding.
I tailor each therapy session to each child’s developmental needs and strengths. This often means using play, imagination, expressive activities, and relationship rather than expecting them to explain everything with words. I also work closely with parents because they know their child best. Helping parents begin to see their child through a different lens can be just as meaningful as the changes I see in the playroom.
PHILOSOPHY
My foundation is Child-Centered Play Therapy equally combined with Adlerian Play Therapy. I also incorporate CBT, mindfulness, solution-focused strategies, family therapy, parent coaching, and expressive arts into treatment. One belief that guides my work comes from Ross Greene: “Children do well if they can.” It reminds me to look beneath behavior and ask what may be getting in the way.
I believe lasting change happens when children feel safe, understood, and connected. Parents are the most important therapeutic influence in a child’s life, so I focus on building strong relationships with both the child and caregivers. My role is not only to help the child, but also to empower parents with understanding, practical tools, and confidence. When we become curious instead of reactive, we create more opportunities for connection, understanding, and growth.
Education & Experience
Carla holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Indiana State University and a Master's degree in School Counseling from Butler University, where she also became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She holds a school administration certification and a certification in Educational Neuroscience. To deepen her expertise in helping children through play therapy, Carla completed an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Counseling Leadership with a specialization in Play Therapy from the University of Mississippi and is a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).
Carla has pursued what she describes as “any and ALL play therapy trainings I could get to, had time for, or could afford!” She continues to deepen her knowledge of neuroscience, attachment-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and parent-child relationship approaches.
Masters of Science in School Counseling
from Butler University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
from Indiana State University
National Trainer
Bridges Out of Poverty and Emotional Poverty
Additional Training
Adlerian and CCPT, educational neuroscience