Dr. John W. Carter

I am a recently licensed counseling psychologist with extensive training and experience in psychotherapy, assessment, and psychology research. I have provided individual, couples, and group therapy at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center (now LGBT Center), the Los Angeles VA, the Boston VA, and Enki Health Services. I have enjoyed training and supervising student therapists at the University of West Georgia and the University of Redlands. I also teach psychology at UCLA Extension. In general, I am curious about the the human mind and I am dedicated to help others who are struggling.

I am aware of the multiple, complex influences on a client’s mental health (biology, past history, trauma, emotions, thoughts, self-image, relationships). However, my approach starts very simply: ‘What would you like to achieve?’ and ‘What is getting in your way right now?’ I listen, I ask questions, I draw connections, I check in with you to make sure I’m on the right track. I gently push you to take the next small step, to understand yourself better, to accept more of yourself. I would describe my therapy style as integrative-humanistic, which means I draw inspiration from many different kinds of therapy, but I always center the whole person sitting in front of me.

First, I recognize that you will have already taken the biggest step by the time I first meet you. It takes courage to ask for help, and your own motivation to get better will be a powerful force in our work together. I want you to know that therapy is a safe space, and that I will accept you no matter what you’ve gone through, what you feel, or what you think about. I will ask you some questions about your life, your current struggles, and your strengths to develop an accurate picture of the problems you are experiencing. I will help you identify some initial goals for therapy, and I will outline how we can work toward those goals together. And, if you have any questions or concerns along the way, I want to hear about them! Therapy only works if it works for you.