About

Welcome to my profile page!

My name is Dr. Larry Carter II. I have an M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the APA-Accredited program at Texas Woman's University. I completed my Pre-doctoral Internship at the APA-Accredited program at Texas Tech University, and completed my Post-doctoral Residency at Family Health Care Network in Visalia, California. I have been independently licensed to practice as a Psychologist in the state of California since 2013 and in Texas since 2019. I have also been certified by the Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences (AATBS) as a Treatment Specialist for Diverse Populations (2014) and as a Treatment Specialist for Concerns Related to Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (2018).

I have extensive experience providing individual, couple, and group psychotherapy. Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege to work in a variety of treatment settings (i.e., primary health care, community mental health, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, university counseling centers, and most recently with the US Air Force), and with a range of clientele ranging from the "worried well" to individuals struggling with severe, pervasive mental illness.

I approach my work from a collaborative, strength-based perspective, and believe that all growth and change in therapy is contingent on first creating a viable, corrective emotional experience for the client. I primarily draw from a Relational-Cultural theoretical orientation (Miller & Stiver, 1997) that emphasizes both the interpersonal nature of therapy and the important role that culture plays in how we define ourselves and relate to one another. This relational approach to therapy helps to support the development of a strong working alliance in which clients can begin to challenge existing patterns of thought (Cognitive Therapy) and practice new ways of relating to self and others (Behavioral Therapy). I believe the therapist’s primary goal should always be the creation and maintenance of an environment in which the client feels the safety and security necessary to minimize resistance and take risks in session. I view therapy as a dynamic, interactive process, and believe that a therapist’s most useful tools are their authenticity, transparency, and willingness to provide timely, genuine feedback to the client.

I know that the prospect of beginning therapy can be daunting. I appreciate your courage in taking this first step toward a better understanding of yourself, your emotions, and your behavior. I believe this increased understanding can initiate changes that will ultimately lead to your ability to live a more fulfilling, rewarding, and happier life. If you believe that we might be a good fit, I look forward to hearing from you.

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe