S. Abigail  McCarrel
Vetted

S. Abigail McCarrel

She/Her/Hers

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
California Accepting Online

I have afternoon and evening availability during week for busy, working parents and limited availability on Sundays.

Updated November 8, 2023

Specialties & Expertise

  • ADHD
  • Attachment issues
  • Child mental health
  • Family issues
  • Parenting
  • Childhood trauma

Professional statement

S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW, is a licensed, clinical social worker and family therapist. She currently maintains an online family therapy practice in the state of California. She has a unique therapy approach, focusing on brain-based parenting. Online session are fun for the children which include movement-based activities to grow calm minds, strengthen the parent-child connection and create a sense of safety for children and parents alike.

Mrs. McCarrel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Kalamazoo College where she graduated Phi Betta Kappa and Magnum Cum Laude. She received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. In addition to being licensed in the state of California, Mrs. McCarrel holds a diplomate credential in clinical social work, the highest level of credentialing available through the National Association of Social Workers.

Therapy sessions with Mrs. McCarrel focus strongly on brain science. First, she helps bring calm to the over-excited minds of families in crisis with brain balancing movements. Through developing family traditions and rituals, she then strives to grow a rich family culture in which to heal ruptures and strengthen family ties. She believes that it is never too late for families to bond. To foster empathy and understanding, all family members are included in the sessions. With this enhanced connection, the path becomes clear for families to get down to the business of solving problems, together, and in ways that last. Mrs. McCarrel’s overall goal is to help parents become the healers in the family.


Message to clients

I have been where you are. I too, am the parent of three children, all daughters, now in their twenties. When they were young, I was constantly perplexed by their big, baffling behaviors. Punishment and consequences, rewards, and incentives, only seemed to make things worse. I fell into the habit of viewing my children as the problem and lacked the maturity an insight to look at myself and the role I was playing in maintaining their challenging episodes.

I was introduced to the area of interpersonal neurobiology and brain-based parenting. I learned the science behind challenging episodes with children, growing my window of tolerance to not take their behaviors so personally. I firmly believe that all humans are doing the best that they can and that when parents change the way they see their children, their children will change.

The change for me and my daughters came through this lens shift. I learned how regulation, connection, and felt-safety are at the heart of relationship-based parenting. This was so different from the way I had been trained. In this new approach, safety is the treatment and compassion is the treatment.

I have had the honor to repair my ruptured relationships with my daughters and grow healthy, loving, connections with them. I now have a calling to help other families to do the same. It is never too late to bone with your child. It is my passion to help parents become the healers in the family.


Specialties

ADHD - Skill-building and support around organizational challenges, distracted attention, procrastination; building and maintaining healthy routines and structure

Attachment issues - Development of effective relational and communication skills; insight into family attachment patterns;fostering healthy family relationships.

Child mental health - Specialized strategies for common childhood disorders including attention issues, attachment problems, behavioral disorders, learning disorders, autism spectrum diagnoses, and feeding or elimination issues.

Family issues - Promoting communication and supporting family members to address challenges and reduce conflict and distress

Parenting - Helping parents develop and implement strategies to address challenges that arise throughout childrearing; managing stress and increasing support

Childhood trauma - Learning how traumatic events in childhood can translate into adulthood; processing through difficult memories with the goal of moving past the experience and lingering symptoms




Clientele

  • Families
  • Parents

Insurance

S. Abigail McCarrel is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $165 (50min)
  • Family sessions: $225 (90min)
  • Parent Coaching Therapy : $210 (60min)
  • Phone Consultation: $15 (15min)
  • Report Writing: $190 (60min)
  • Court Appearance: $1000 (300min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Credit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly

Location(s)

Online Sessions (California)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 8am-8pm
  • Wed 8am-8pm
  • Thu 8am-8pm
  • Fri 8am-8pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun 8am-8pm

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 35 years

Five Acres Boys and Girls Aid Society of Los Angeles, Clinical Social Worker/ Clinical Supervisor, 1989 - 2008

Being With Parent Coaching Program, Parent Coach, 2022
University of Southern California, Masters of Social Work/Children and Families, 1998
Kalamazoo College, MA in Psychology, 1982


Licensure

California: 16129


Languages

English