MY APPROACH TO PSYCHOTHERAPY

I see psychotherapy as an adventure in self-definition and as an opportunity to explore and evaluate individual and relational goals.

I have been honored to walk through some difficult and trying days with clients as they seek new answers to their problems and new ways to nurture themselves in the stress of contemporary living…whether it be a divorce, children leaving home, aging parents, blended families, grief from death or chronic illness, or discipline strategies for a 3 year old.

I believe that when people’s life situations cause them enough stress and discomfort they seek ways for a positive change and are many times heroic in their efforts.

Marie Carter

ABOUT MARIE CARTER

In practice for more than 30 years and licensed in SC, I am the first graduate of the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary’s COAMFT Marriage and Family Therapy Program. I have used my training and skills in Kentucky government human services, in public adolescent mental health care, in both public and parochial school systems, and in private practice in the past 30 years.

My work is based in cognitive behavioral theory, transactional analysis, experiential, structural, and solution focused models and could be generally described as short-term.

Before my MA degree, I was in public relations and staff development roles for non-profit agencies as well as owning a retail boutique specializing in Appalachian and Mountain Folk Art. My work as a Marriage and Family Therapist has not only brought my various career experiences together, but the courage and determination of clients has been an inspiration in my own personal life decisions as well.

Education

  • M.A. Marriage & Family Therapy, Louisville Presbyterian Seminary
  • AMA Managers’ Certification Program Oglethorpe University
  • B.A. English, Hollins College

 

Licensure & Certification

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Licensed MFT Supervisor
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Clinical Member; Approved Supervisor
  • SCAMFT Board of Directors, Member at LargeKYAMFT Board of Directors, Membership and Ethics ChairKYAMFT Public Relations Committee
  • KYAMFT Louisville Chair Marriage Check-Up
  • AAMFT Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: Clinical Member, Approved Supervisor

 

Special Recognition

  • Ms Carter’s private practice has partnered with East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) since 2007.  In 2019, she received the Healthcare Volunteer of the Year Award presented at the agency’s annual Stone Soup Award Event, given by the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers.
  • Marie Carter has been an AAMFT Approved Supervisor since 2005  She trains Masters level counseling interns, provides their clinical supervision, and staffs ECCO clients with the only free counseling in Mt. Pleasant.  In  her lengthy association with ECCO, Ms Carter has trained 8-14 interns annually for a total of over 122 interns.

 

I am quite intentional in choosing to always locate my private practice on church sites. A cradle Episcopalian, I chose to be educated in a Presbyterian seminary because I believe we all work out our issues within our historical ethical values and theological belief systems.

I have worked with clients from many faith traditions; I have successful reviews from clients who are Buddhists, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and agnostic. It is my desire to be an open, compassionate, and provocative partner in the client’s therapeutic journey.

I have presented my strategies of systemic thinking and hope for increased life satisfaction through understanding of one’s own feelings and those of others at numerous national AAMFT Conferences, state meetings, and local workshops.  In my work with addictive behaviors I continue to be an advocate of the AA experience and 12-step recovery process.

TESTIMONIALS

“My worst fear---losing my job as manager of a lawn care company--- became a real opportunity to reconnect with my original dream of landscape design. Ms. Carter held my feet to the fire in following my passion and my happiness in my career as well as in my marriage.”
Former Client
``If I encounter family or mental health issues with my clients, Marie Carter is the one of the first people I think of for referral.``
Dolores Paque
Spiritual Director Mt. Pleasant, SC
``I was reluctant to go to therapy, but my girlfriend insisted; I discovered new ways to think about our relationship and real growth for myself.”

Former client
``The year and one half I spent under Marie Carter's creative clinical supervision was practical and real time learning because of the diverse configuration (individual, couple, family, and group) of the multi-aged clients from Mount Pleasant's premier poverty agency, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO). It brought to life my academic training from Ohio North Central University and prepared me to pass the SC MFT licensing exam.``

Linda Masullo, LMFT
A School Based Counselor, Berkeley County High School
``Marie Carter and her graduate counseling interns are a tremendous asset to the broader East Cooper community, and we are proud to host them in our church home.``

Rev. Daniel Freemyer
Pastor, Providence Church, Daniel Island
``Marie Carter has empowered a number of persons I know to address issues ranging from caregiver roles, marital conflict, addiction, children's academic success, grief and loss, and anxiety.``
The Venerable Calhoun Walpole
Charleston, SC