Dr. Gwendolyn Franks Carter

Hello, my name is Gwendolyn Carter. I have been a social worker for more than 30 years, supporting youth, families, and individuals through a wide range of life experiences. I have master's-level training in Counseling Psychology and Social Work and recently completed my doctorate in Psychology. My areas of specialization include trauma therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

My professional background includes home health, hospice, adoption services, protective services, and school social work. These experiences have shaped me into a compassionate, conversational, and direct therapist who values creating a nonjudgmental, freeing space for clients to express what they are feeling. I enjoy witnessing clients engage in therapy, move through challenges, and continue forward in their healing and personal growth.

My approach is collaborative, conversational, and focused on helping clients identify meaningful, achievable change. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, trauma-focused approaches, Brief Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. My dissertation work deepened my understanding of Interpersonal Therapy, including the ways relationships and patterns of interaction can affect emotional well-being.

Using a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy framework, I talk with clients about the changes they want to make in their lives and what they believe would be most helpful. Together, we explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and possible solutions that feel realistic and obtainable. I am direct while remaining supportive, and I believe therapy should provide a safe, respectful space where clients can be honest, feel understood, and build on their strengths.

Your first session is an opportunity to become comfortable with the therapeutic process and begin getting to know one another. We will discuss what brings you to therapy, what you hope to work on, and what kind of support may be most helpful. You can expect a welcoming, nonjudgmental conversation and space to share at your own pace as we begin identifying goals and possible next steps together.