Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Riverside, CA

Hi! My name is Terri Carsley and I have been practicing as a Marriage and Family therapist for the last 16 years. I am a transplant from the East Coast, but have lived in Los Angeles for over 30 years. I have a background in treating addiction and trauma. I am an advanced level somatic practitioner, using both my talk therapy and trauma therapy to help individuals, couples and families achieve healthy communication and heal emotional wounds.

I have lived in the Truckee Tahoe area off an on for over 30 years, I have an AA Degree in Early Child Development, a BA Degree from the University of California Santa Cruz, and I attended the University of. Nevada, Reno for my Masters in Social Work.

My husband and I have two grown children who live in Northern CA and Nevada. We are avid skiers, mountain bikers, and my hobbies include cooking, art, writing, and learning, and of course, playing with our mini golden doodle, Joaquin.

My roots are in Scranton, Pennsylvania; growing up, life was challenging and unpredictable for me and my sisters. I was the first member of our extended family who was able to put themselves through both undergraduate (BA - Latin American Studies/UCSC, and graduate school (MSW- Masters in Social Work, (UNR) and graduate with honors.

All three of my younger sisters followed in my footsteps to pursue higher education and to find success as Professionals.

My husband and I moved to the Tahoe/Truckee area together in the early 1990s, pursuing seasonal employment. We somehow made ends meet, things got a little easier each year, and he later pursued a career in resort and business management, while I pursued continuing education, mental health and licensure, and opening up my practice.

Our son and a daughter both grew up enjoyed attending local public schools in Truckee, and later the Univeristy of California; they are both living fulfilling adult lives in the nearby region.

It is okay to not be okay! Whether it be depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, sexuality or life transitions, we can create a space for healing to begin.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. For ten years I have provided individual, family, and group therapy in hospital settings, residential treatment centers, and outpatient treatment centers.

My focus

I specialize in working with adults facing depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD, occupational stress, relationship conflicts, cultural and identity issues, and survivors of abuse. I help clients build understanding and chart a path forward using evidence-based approaches.

My communication style

My style is nurturing, accepting, empathic, and personable. I use unconditional positive regard to help you feel safe without judgment. I validate how you feel and normalize your situation so you can feel comfortable and at ease in our work together.

My journey to mental healthcare

I became a therapist because I have always accepted others, regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe in advocating for those who may not otherwise have a voice.

I believe the speed of the leader is the speed of the gang. My goal is-always to lead by example. My personal life shines with the same light that I encourage my clients to follow. My approach to life is to live abundantly in whatever circumstance comes my way. I love working with new and ongoing clients who are not just interested in “getting through “ life challenges, but are interested in "growing through life challenges. I love clients who are open to the possibilities that will appear to them when they shift their thinking from scarcity to an abundance mindset .

My work is grounded in behavioral therapy, and a firm belief that people can change. I prefer a flexible and collaborative approach that evolves as we work together. Though the foundation of my work is behavioral, I develop integrated treatment plans for each new client, drawing on other evidence-based modalities and new research.

I work with individuals, couples, and families seeking meaningful change in their lives. I view psychotherapy as a collaborative process that is supportive, empathetic and nonjudgmental. My role is to provide practical tools, insight, empowerment, and encouragement as you build emotional resilience, resolve internal and interpersonal conflicts, and move toward greater well-being.