Theresa L. Carter, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) committed to supporting clients on their healing journeys and specialize in trauma recovery as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC). My additional credentials—Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (C-PD), Dialectical Behavior Therapy Clinician (C-DBT), Mood Disorder Professional (CMDP), and ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)—enable me to guide individuals in understanding the roots of emotional pain and in building greater resilience.

I grew up in an environment with people who never discussed mental health; this sparked an early interest in the unspoken challenges I observed. As a dual major in psychology and sociology, my coursework was impactful, and the lessons carried over into graduate school, where I earned dual master's degrees in social work and public administration. I completed internships at a domestic abuse shelter, a short-term residential crisis center, and a community behavioral health services facility. I took specialized trauma-informed care courses, as well as other coursework in the field.

My professional experience includes work at a non-profit organization supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, serving as a psychotherapist and behavioral specialist for children with autism, ADHD, and adjustment challenges, and supervising social workers at county behavioral health agencies. I have also managed case management teams of social workers and nurses assisting individuals with catastrophic illnesses, and led project teams of case investigators, contact tracers, data analysts, and public health nurses in response to infectious disease outbreaks. I remain deeply passionate about helping clients improve and heal from psychological, emotional, and other forms of abuse, mental injuries, and challenges; providing support in these areas has proven to be crucial, as they can affect every facet of human existence.

Our first session

I partner with clients to understand their backgrounds, address emotional, social, and psychological challenges, and support their goals. My approach emphasizes a safe, supportive environment where individuals can develop coping skills and increase self-awareness throughout the healing process. I have experience with diverse populations and age groups, focusing on trauma, stress management, life transitions, and personal growth.

What to expect

I use person-centered therapy and integrate validation, psychoeducation, open-mindedness, empowerment, and emotional support. I know how important it is to feel heard when discussing difficult experiences and challenging thoughts. I will listen, collaborate, and apply evidence-based interventions to help clients build effective coping strategies across various settings. Clients in early adulthood have become a significant part of my practice, showing a keen appreciation for psychoeducation in therapy, which reflects my commitment to providing research-based information that supports mental and physical well-being.

A connection

The ideal client is both willing and ready for change, which can be very challenging because the brain prefers familiar routines. Fortunately, our brains can adapt and form new connections through a process called neuroplasticity. By consistently practicing new behaviors and thoughts, those neural pathways become more dominant, allowing us to build stronger connections to the change we seek and gradually let go of old habits. As clients learn how this process works, adjust their thinking and actions, and become more self-aware, they typically experience real progress and begin to heal.