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Shayna Carter
LPC, MS (also in process: LMHC)
She/Her
Fees not specified
Accepting

Clients describe me as

warm, down-to-earth, and someone who makes them feel seen—even when they’re exploring the parts of themselves they usually keep hidden

My therapeutic superpower is

creating a space where clients feel safe enough to be honest, challenged enough to grow, and supported enough to keep going—even on hard days.

The principle at the heart of my therapy is

At the heart of my therapy is authenticity—creating space where clients can be fully themselves without shame, pressure, or pretense.

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What clients appreciate most about our work together

Clients appreciate how I balance compassion with gentle challenge—they know I’ll hold space for their pain, but also help them move through it.

My personality in therapy is

grounded, real, and sprinkled with humor—I believe healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time.

Highlights

  • Invested in Growth - Mine and Yours
  • Approachable, Honest, Humorous, and Real
  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Integrated Approach
  • Teen & Adult Therapy

  • Integrated Approach, Strengths-Based, and Client-Centered
  • Supportive, Honest, and Compassionate
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies and Choice Theory Base Work

I approach therapy as a space for real growth, not just symptom management. My framework blends cognitive-behavioral tools, Choice Theory, and strengths-based strategies, all delivered through a client-centered lens. Sessions are grounded, compassionate, and goal-oriented—but never robotic or one-size-fits-all. I aim to help you make sense of your experiences, build on your strengths, and develop practical strategies you can take into the real world (yes, even the parts that happen in traffic or at awkward family dinners). You’ll find that I show up fully human—sometimes humorous, always honest—and I’ll invite you to do the same.

  • My approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered—grounded in CBT, Choice Theory, and reality-based frameworks, but always tailored to the person sitting across from me. I focus on helping clients identify what matters to them, navigate real-life challenges, and develop insight and skills they can carry forward.

  • When we work together, you can expect a mix of deep listening, collaborative goal-setting, and a dash of humor when it fits the moment. I aim to create a space that’s equal parts compassionate and challenging—where you feel supported in exploring the tough stuff, but also empowered to take steps forward. No judgment, no fluff—just honest work, done together.

    • My style is collaborative, grounded, and infused with genuine care (and occasionally humor).
    • I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused practices.
    • I tailor every session to the person in front of me—no copy-paste therapy here.
    • I believe in helping clients connect their “why” to their “how,” so change actually sticks.
    • I don’t pretend to have all the answers—but I’ll help you ask the right questions.
    • Therapy with me is about real conversations, practical tools, and creating space to grow—without losing your sense of humor.

Top Approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Reality Therapy
  • Client-Centered
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused
  • Choice Theory
  • Strengths-Based Approaches
  • Trauma-Informed Therapy
  • Psychoeducation
  • Mindfulness-Based Strategies
  • Narrative & Reflective Processing
    • Anger Management Therapy
    • Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors
    • Client-Centered Therapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Couple and Family Systems Therapy
    • Eclectic Therapy
    • Family Systems Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • Mindfulness Based Therapy or Stress Reduction
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person-Centered / Rogerian Therapy
    • Person-Centered Therapy
    • Play Therapy
    • Reality Therapy
    • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
    • Strength-Based Therapy
    • Supervision Services
    • Therapeutic Journaling
    • Trauma-Informed & Trauma-Responsive Care
  • Teens & Adults
  • Personality Disorder
  • Mood Disorders
  • Anxiety & Depression
  • Conduct Disorder

I specialize in supporting both teens and adults through life’s most confusing, overwhelming, and high-stakes moments. Whether someone is navigating identity, relationships, emotional outbursts, or just trying to keep their head above water, I help them unpack what’s really going on and build the skills to cope, communicate, and heal.

  • I work best with teens and adults navigating mood instability, anxiety, emotional reactivity, and personality-related challenges. I especially enjoy working with individuals who feel misunderstood or stuck in patterns that disrupt their relationships or sense of identity. Whether it’s a 14-year-old managing school-related behavior issues or a young adult exploring emotional regulation and self-esteem, I aim to meet each client with empathy, curiosity, and a little humor.

  • My expertise is particularly valuable for adolescents and adults with diagnoses like Borderline Personality Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. I also specialize in helping clients who struggle with authority figures, emotional regulation, or impulse control. My background in both clinical mental health counseling and supervision allows me to approach these challenges with a balance of structure and compassion, always aiming to reduce shame while increasing accountability.

    • Comfortable working with clients aged 13+ through adulthood
    • Skilled at adjusting language and techniques to meet each developmental stage
    • Experienced in residential and outpatient adolescent work
    • Strong focus on building rapport with resistant or defensive clients

Top Areas of Care

  • Borderline Personality
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Anger Management
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Relationship Issues
  • Boundaries
    • Abuse (General)
    • Adjustment Disorders
    • Adolescent / Teen Issues
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences
    • Aggression & Violence
    • Anger
    • Anger / Anger Management
    • Anger Management
    • Antisocial Personality
    • Anxiety
    • Anxiety (General & Death Anxiety)
    • Atypical Personalities
    • Behavioral Issues
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder / Patterns
    • Borderline Personality (BPD)
    • Borderline Personality Disorder
    • Child
    • Children of Parents with Addiction
    • Communication Issues (Couples & General)
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Coping Mechanisms / Coping Skills
    • Coping Skills
    • Couples / Marriage / Relationship Issues
    • Depression
    • Domestic Violence
    • Emotion Regulation (overwhelm, shutdown, expression)
    • Family Conflict
    • Family Conflict & Family Systems
    • Family Counseling
    • Goal-Setting
    • Hallucinations / Hearing Voices
    • Irritability
    • Mood
    • Mood Disorders
    • Mood Issues / Mood Disorders (General)
    • Oppositional Defiance (ODD)
    • Personality Disorders
    • Personality Disorders (General)
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    • PTSD / Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Relationship Issues
    • Trauma
    • Trauma and PTSD
  • heard, supported, and empowered in a space that honors your unique journey and fosters growth at your own pace.

  • A collaborative relationship that consists of respect, openness and honesty.

  • Is by reminding them how far they have come from their first session; by reminding my clients what goals they set for themselves that they have reached or are close to reaching

  • Confidence. Instead of hearing I can’t, I hear I can.

  • I tailor my approach to fit the client I am working with. It is to make the client feel comfortable and wanting to be a part of this process.

  • That our time together is for you to feel safe and open enough to work on your problems in a collaborative space.

  • I want to be a person that others could come to when they are facing issues or struggling. I want to be that space where a person can be open and honest, and feel safe while working on their issues without fear of judgement.

  • 🌄 Small-Town Roots, Big-Hearted Perspective
  • 🌱 First-Gen Professional with Real-World Insight
  • 🧍‍♀️ Relatable, Grounded, and Real
  • 🧭 Raised Where Mental Health Wasn't Talked About
  • 🛠️ Therapist for the Overlooked & Misunderstood
  • 🎓 Advocate for New Counselors & Growing Clinicians
  • 🤝 Bridge-Builder Between Clinical & Lived Experience
  • 🔍 Deep Listener with a Curious Spirit
  • 💬 Culturally Curious & Respectfully Responsive
  • 🏡 Rural Therapist with Southern Sensibility
  • 🎧 Passionate About People's Stories & Where They're Headed
  • 💪 Therapist Who Shows Up With Humor and Grit
  • ⚖️ Familiar With Both Struggle & Privilege—Everyone Needs Help Sometimes
  • What drew me to the counseling field was a deep desire to help others, especially those who reminded me of my own family. I witnessed loved ones struggle with mental health challenges without ever getting the support they needed, and that left a lasting impact on me. It was heartbreaking to see, and it made me want to be the person who could offer what they never received. I’ve worked in communities with high rates of poverty, and I’ve seen how socioeconomic factors influence mental health. But no matter someone’s background—whether they have resources or not—everyone needs help sometimes. I stay motivated by the belief that if I can help just one person feel heard, supported, or empowered, I’ve made a difference. I truly enjoy learning about where people come from and walking beside them as they grow.

  • Growing up in a small Southern town and now living in a rural mountain community, I’ve learned the value of showing up with humility and respect for people’s lived experiences. Mental health wasn’t often talked about where I’m from, and that silence made me even more passionate about creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces. I’m someone who listens deeply and genuinely wants to understand where people are coming from. My work with clients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds has shaped the way I approach therapy—with curiosity, compassion, and a strong belief that people are the experts in their own lives. I’ve seen how systems fail people and how powerful it can be to simply be seen and heard. That drives my work every day.

  • I specialize in working with teens and adults navigating a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including personality disorders, mood instability, and difficulty with boundaries or authority. Whether it’s helping a teen manage oppositional behaviors or supporting an adult in navigating intense emotional shifts, my approach balances directness with empathy. I don’t believe in sugar-coating, but I do believe in compassion and collaboration. My goal is to meet you where you are, offer tools that actually make sense in your real life, and help you move forward in a way that feels doable—not overwhelming.

    • Work with teens and adults (13+) navigating mood disorders, identity development, and emotional regulation
    • Specialized in personality disorders, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Conduct Disorder
    • Support clients with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mood-related concerns
    • Skilled at building rapport with clients who are resistant, guarded, or have been previously misunderstood
    • Incorporate trauma-informed care, CBT, Reality Therapy, and behavioral interventions to create practical change
    • Passionate about helping clients establish boundaries, build self-awareness, and strengthen their emotional regulation
    • Culturally responsive and experienced in working with clients from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
    • Approach sessions with compassion, clinical depth, and the occasional well-timed dose of humor
  • Music Lover
  • Nature Enthusiast
  • Lake Days & Snow Days
  • Snowboarder
  • Outdoorsy & Chill

❄️ Nature is My Therapy Too From snowy slopes to sunny lakes, nature is my happy place. Snowboarding, fishing, swimming, or just breathing in fresh mountain air—it helps me reset so I can show up fully for others.

🍽️ Food, Fun & Exploration I love trying new food spots and finding those hidden local gems. There’s something about good food and good company that just hits right.

  • Outside of sessions, I’m usually finding ways to be near water, snow, or a great playlist. I love being in nature—whether it’s relaxing at the lake during summer or hitting the slopes on a snowboard in winter. Music is also a big part of my life—it helps me recharge, reflect, and stay grounded. These moments outside of work give me clarity and help me bring fresh energy into the therapy room.

  • Being out in nature, catching a live concert, or discovering a new restaurant brings me real joy. I love anything that combines connection, movement, or a little adventure—whether it’s snowboarding, fishing, or trying a dish I can’t pronounce. These moments recharge me and remind me why balance and fun matter, both in and out of session.

  • outside—snowboarding, hiking, or just soaking in a lake view. Nature is my go-to reset button. I also love music and how it connects us to emotion and memory. Whether it’s cruising mountain roads with my favorite playlist or going to a concert, music plays a big part in helping me stay grounded and joyful.

  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • National Certified Counselor
  • M.S. in Mental Health Counseling
  • Current PhD Student in Counselor Education and Supervision
  • ABD PhD CES Student
  • Discrimination Model
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • Guiding Beginning Counselors
  • Professional Development
  • Supportive Learning Environment
  • Collaboration, support, and empowerment. As a supervisor my goal is to help you grow into the best counselor that you want to be.

  • Those who are in their internship of their Master’s program, those who just graduated with their Master’s and are in the pre license stage, and those who have their full license, but have only been practicing a year or two under their full license.

  • The supervisee and supervisor to be present, open and honest while working in a collaborative manner.

  • As a supervisor, I view my role as a guide, collaborator, and advocate. I use the Discrimination and Developmental Models to meet supervisees where they are, and tailor feedback to match their evolving needs. My style is encouraging but direct, blending warmth with accountability. I aim to create a learning space where it’s okay not to have all the answers—as long as you’re willing to ask the hard questions.

  • Whether you’re just starting practicum or recently licensed, you can expect a supervision experience that prioritizes your clinical voice, ethical strength, and self-awareness. We’ll focus on client conceptualization, documentation, interventions, and professional identity—all with humor, humility, and transparency.

  • Discrimination Model

    Developmental Model

  • 13+

    Mood and personality disorders

    CBT and Reality Therapy integration

    Case formulation and ethical reflection

    Rapport building with challenging clients

  • I work well with supervisees who:

    • Are open to feedback and self-reflection
    • Appreciate structure but can roll with the unexpected
    • Want to better understand challenging clients (especially teens, BPD, or ODD/CD)
    • Are building confidence with clinical language, treatment planning, or theory integration
    • Value cultural humility and real-life relevance