Shaina Carter

Shaina Carter is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She completed her undergraduate training at San Diego State University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. She then continued her work in research at UCSD and went on after to complete her doctoral degree in clinical psychology. She has advanced clinical training from an APA-Accredited Predoctoral Internship Program and retains training experiences in the context of providing psychotherapy and assessments to active-duty service members, veterans, military dependents, adults, and families in community mental health centers and psychiatric hospital facilities. She is passionate about working with first responders and active duty military members and dependents, approaching and understanding each individual through a culturally aware, relational, and psychodynamic lens. Her training has included serving military populations, first responders, families in the context of trauma, and the treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders in adulthood. Her therapeutic approach is a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Dr. Carter is a published co-contributor in the Journal of American Medical Association as she was involved with a UCSD research study investigating the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Her research and clinical interests include trauma-related disorders within the military population, first responder population, prenatal substance-use exposure, addiction, and mood disorders.

I’m not here to nod silently or drown you in clinical jargon. My approach is direct, collaborative, and deeply human—because therapy shouldn’t feel like performing or pretending.

What to expect:

Honest conversations – No sugarcoating, but no judgment either. We’ll name the hard stuff and work with it.

You as a person, not a diagnosis – Your struggles don’t define you. We’ll focus on your strengths, values, and agency.

Real talk about progress – Therapy isn’t magic; it’s work. We’ll check in openly about what’s helping (or not).

Humor and humility welcome – I’m a human too. Sessions can include laughter, frustration, and everything in between.

Whether we’re tackling anxiety, relationships, or just being a person in this world, my goal is to help you feel seen, capable, and less alone.

You’re not here to just talk—you’re here to see change. My goal is to help you actually feel and live differently, with tools that work beyond the session.

What You’ll Gain:

Clear progress – We’ll set tangible goals and track what’s shifting (and what’s not), so you’re never stuck in endless "processing."

Lasting shifts – Whether it’s anxiety, self-worth, or breaking old patterns, we’ll focus on outcomes that stick.

How We’ll Work:

Zero judgment, 100% realness – This is a space where you can be messy, honest, or even skeptical.

Warmth + directness – I’ll challenge you when needed, but always with empathy.

Collaboration, not lectures – Your expertise on your life matters. We’ll team up to find what actually works for you.

Therapy shouldn’t be a black box. Let’s build insight and action—so you start noticing the difference.