Community Highlights: Meet Carly Dosh of Embodied Living Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Dosh

Hi Carly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I started my career in mental health over a decade ago, I knew one thing for sure—I wanted to make a difference and help people. But as the years went on, the stress and burnout of working in the healthcare system began to feel like an increasingly heavy burden.

I found myself in my own therapy, asking some big questions and exploring the intersection of my personal life and the career I had chosen. Like so many helping professionals before me, one question stood out: “How do I show up for myself as I witness the suffering of others and I can’t fix it?”

That question and others sparked a tremendous amount of personal growth, and with it, a seed was planted. There was a shift in how I related to myself and the clients I worked with. I came to understand, on a much deeper level, that trauma and the struggles we face don’t just exist in our minds—they exist in our bodies too.

That seed grew into a transformation in my approach to therapy, integrating nervous system work and body-based interventions for a more holistic approach. This growth continued to sprout, resulting in more trust in myself that I could take a risk and start my own therapy practice. A space where I could show up as my authentic self and help others to do the same.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most rewarding experiences in life, this journey came with its fair share of obstacles and struggles. When we graduate and become licensed clinicians, we’re equipped with a solid foundation in therapy—but running a business? That’s not something most graduate programs prepare us for. There was a lot to learn (and, yes, a few tears along the way). Beyond the steep learning curve of starting a small business, I had to wade through imposter syndrome and my own risk-avoidant tendencies. But stepping into the role of an entrepreneur has been exciting, and despite the bumpy road, I’m so glad I chose to be brave.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I founded Embodied Living Therapy in 2023, where I work as a body-centered trauma therapist—seeing clients in person in Pasadena and virtually throughout California. The name Embodied Living is a personal reminder for me to show up fully—as both an embodied human and a therapist. But it’s also an invitation. An invitation for the people I work with to explore what it means to truly inhabit their own bodies as they navigate the many challenges that bring them to therapy.

I specialize in working with millennials who are experiencing anxiety and burnout—many of whom are also wading through generational trauma, asking big questions about what has shaped them and how those experiences are showing up in their lives (and their bodies) today. One thing I want people to know: Every time I start with a new client, I am deeply moved by their bravery and resilience. Exploring what hurts and what’s no longer working can feel overwhelming, even scary. But I also see therapy as a sacred space—one that holds hope and provides the safety people need for their own seeds of growth to take root and flourish.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I am grateful for friends, family, and coworkers who have played a big part in supporting, mentoring, and celebrating my milestones along the way! We all need those people who keep cheering us on and believing in our success even when our own inner critics are loud. One piece of advice that really stuck with me is this: Sometimes, you can’t completely work through your fear—you just have to bring it along for the ride and do it scared. That mindset has made a difference for me, and I hope it resonates with others who are facing their own leaps of faith.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.embodiedlivingca.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embodiedlivingtherapist?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-dosh-embodied-living-therapy
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/embodied-living-therapy-pasadena

Image Credits
Jesse Viray