Carol Thomas Rowley, LMHC
nmcreativepathways@gmail.com

Important Update: Due to unexpected circumstances, I am on hiatus from my practice. If your counseling need is not urgent and my qualifications may be a good fit for future sessions, please reach out by email. Thank you.


As an experienced counselor, a woman in her 70's, and the owner of Creative Pathways, I am dedicated to offering compassionate and professional mental health counseling services to those in mid-life and beyond. By engaging with me in a safe and encouraging counseling environment, you will find your unique "pathway" toward improved well-being. 

Come As You Are
At Creative Pathways, you will be met "where you are" emotionally--whether you're at a very low point or simply need structured encouragement to keep you motivated--or anywhere inbetween.  

Services

Aging with Insight

Helping seniors refresh their Life Purpose by reframing events of the past.

Excavating Layers of Grief

Together we can carefully examine the many layers of grief and loss--some that may be obvious and other losses that are real but more subtle--and achieve a welcome degree of healing.

Re-Discover Your Unique Priorities

Renew healthy relationships and release outdated expectations. Learn to direct your energy to persons, places and things that matter to you now.

Exploring Solutions

Journaling

If so inclined, free style or directed journaling can uncover and clarify important details that we sometimes miss seeing in our too busy world...

Poetry for the Non-Poet

One pathway to shifting perspectives is Word Play as a form of poetry--getting acquainted with this activity sometimes opens new levels of insight...

Memoir

Although the concept of Memoir has been overused and lost its impact, reflecting on events and relationships in our past often tells us something true about our present experience...

F.A.Q

Do you offer counseling by ZOOM or internet/Telehealth? Do you take my health insurance or Medicare?

Please note: As of November 2025 I'm on temporary hiatus due to unexpected life happenings. Please reach out if my services seem a good match for you at a future time.

At this time (2025) clients see me in person only. This has proved to be the most effective way to make progress. It's possible that in the future I will expand to remote appointments, but those are not available at this time. 
Creative Pathways is private pay only, and we do not handle any health insurance issues. This keeps the service provided you totally confidential (no records shared with any other persons or offices, and no "official" record of your treatment) and also limits administrative costs. 

I've never had counseling before--is this like psychoanalysis?

Counseling is not the same as psychoanalysis. If you want to explore psychoanalysis or if you find that you need medication, I make a referral for those needs. Because I am a professional mental health counselor, I've been trained in a variety of theories in counseling but primarily use Cognitive Behavioral principles in my approach. Sessions and approach will be tailored to your goals and your unique emotional needs. More about this at your first session.

How much do you charge for counseling? Do I need to do paperwork before we meet?

The hourly rate for counseling at Creative Pathways is $106.00 per 50minute session ($6.00 covers current NM gross receipts tax), payable by credit card via website (nmcreativepathways.com) or in person at the time our session begins. There is not a low- or fixed-income sliding scale option.
                                        
Required paperwork, including HIPPA forms and Informed Consent, will be done at our first session and may take about 10 minutes of our time. 
After you make your first appointment, you'll have the option of completing and submitting an intake information form before our session. Having the form submitted in advance helps me know a bit sooner where we might begin.  Otherwise, we will complete the intake information together at first session, and that's fine too.

What if I'm not sure if I have a serious problem or even need counseling?

A strength in my approach to counseling is that at each session we collaborate on what you need and can adjust our approach to your situation accordingly. If some issues that are bothering you become clarified in our first meeting or two, you are under no pressure of obligation to continue. I celebrate your improvement and can see you again at whatever point you find helpful.

Contact

  • No longer in Los Ranchos, please contact me for more information.
  • Please contact me for possible services provided in the future.