About Charla Yearwood, LCSW
(pronounced SHAR-luh)
Therapy that balances truth, tenderness, and transformation.
I’ve always been the one to figure things out. The planner, the organizer, the oldest daughter who made sure everything got done and everyone was okay. Control helped me feel safe because it made life predictable.
Over time, I learned that the same qualities that make me effective professionally, clarity, planning, and structure, can also become walls in my personal life. I’ve had to practice softening, letting go of control, and trusting myself enough to rest, ask for help, and prioritize my own needs, even when it feels selfish.
That balance, between strength and softness, achievement and surrender, is at the heart of my work as a therapist.
I help women who’ve spent their lives taking care of others learn how to care for themselves. Together, we’ll look beneath the patterns of over-functioning, people-pleasing, and perfectionism to uncover what’s really driving them and to build a new way of living that honors your values without exhausting your spirit.
I use EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychoanalytic approaches to help you connect mind, body, and purpose. This isn’t surface-level talk therapy, it’s deep, structured, and reflective work that helps you feel more grounded, confident, and at peace with yourself
Credentials & Specialties
BS in Child Development & Family Studies from Ball State University (2010)
MSSW from University of Tennessee Knoxville (2012)
Current PhD student at The Institute for Clinical Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
EMDR Certified Therapist
15+ years of experience in mental health
Serving clients in Indiana (in-person and virtual) and Tennessee (virtual only)
My Approach
Clients describe me as steady, honest, and deeply invested. I’m not an “easy” therapist. I’ll challenge you to see yourself clearly and hold you accountable to the life you say you want. But I’ll do it with empathy, humor, and respect.
Our work together isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s out learning how to live in alignment with your values, your body, and your peace.
In addition to my clinical practice, I serve as the Founder and CEO of Connected in Community and the Executive Director of The Center for Praxis, where I focus on building sustainable systems that support clinicians and expand access to high quality healthcare. This work informs my therapy practice by keeping me grounded in real-world experiences and the complex realities of being a woman balancing motherhood, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community responsibility. It allows me to meet clients with a deep understanding of what it means to be in high demand while carrying many roles and expectations.
Meet Owen - my cuddly coworker
If you visit the office, you’ll likely meet Owen, my family’s miniature poodle.
Owen loves people and some of my patients enjoy having him join them on the couch during session. As a poodle, he’s truly hypoallergenic, so there’s never a worry about shedding or dog fur. We’re still working on our basic manners — he is a puppy — but he brings a warm, grounding energy to the toughest conversations.
If you’d prefer a dog-free session, just let me know. Owen is always happy to rest in his playpen or take a break in another room.