Theresa L. Carter, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and hold certifications as a Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC), and Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (C-PD). I provide a safe, supportive space where clients can explore and heal from complex trauma, including betrayal trauma and challenging family-of-origin dynamics.

I specialize in recovery from narcissistic abuse, using evidence-based approaches to help clients better understand their emotions, feel validated in their experiences, and build resilience. I am also certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), mood disorders (CMDP), and ADHD treatment (ADHD-CCSP).

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 serving as a psychotherapist for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, working as a behavioral specialist with children facing autism, ADHD, and adjustment challenges, and supervising social workers in county behavioral health settings. I have also led interdisciplinary teams of social workers and nurses in case management, supporting individuals with complex medical needs, and managed public health teams of case investigators, contact tracers, data analysts, and public health nurses responding to infectious disease outbreaks.

I am deeply committed to helping clients heal from psychological and emotional harm, recognizing the profound impact these experiences can have on overall well-being.

Our first session

In our first session, I partner with you to understand your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. We’ll begin exploring any emotional, social, or psychological challenges you may be facing, at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My approach emphasizes creating a safe, supportive environment where you can begin building coping skills and increasing self-awareness.

I also incorporate psychoeducation to help you better understand your experiences, using research-based information that supports both mental and physical well-being. This initial session is an opportunity for you to feel heard, ask questions, and determine whether working together feels like the right fit.

What to expect

I use a person-centered approach, integrating validation, psychoeducation, open-mindedness, empowerment, and emotional support. I understand how important it is to feel heard when discussing difficult experiences and challenging thoughts.

I work collaboratively with clients, combining active listening with evidence-based interventions to build effective, sustainable coping strategies across different areas of life. While I support individuals across a range of concerns—including trauma, stress, and life transitions—I have particular experience working with clients in early adulthood, many of whom value gaining deeper insight through psychoeducation.

A connection

Meaningful change often requires both readiness and willingness, which can be challenging because the brain naturally prefers familiar patterns. Fortunately, the brain can adapt and form new connections through a process known as neuroplasticity. By consistently practicing new behaviors and ways of thinking, these neural pathways become stronger over time, making change feel more natural.

As clients deepen their self-awareness and begin to shift their thoughts and actions, they often experience real progress and a growing sense of healing.