We recently connected with Natasha Carter and have shared our conversation below.
Natasha , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My own struggles with coping and my journey of healing played a role in the therapist that I am today. My resilience allowed me to grow and it contributed greatly in becoming a better therapist for my clients.
L.A.C.E. came to me in a dream my senior year in undergraduate school, but did not begin to manifest until 2017. When I was in high school and college I truly struggled with loving, accepting, and valuing myself. I often found validation about myself in how others viewed or treated me. I tried several things that I hoped would help me feel good about myself and the direction my life was heading. I engaged in unhealthy behaviors and activities regularly. I was unhappy with myself for years and I felt guilty for having those feelings, especially because I had parents who loved and provided for me. I had to learn and practice ways to love myself better and how to cope with daily stressors and triggers.
When I was in graduate school, we kept reading about this “euphoric” feeling that people chase when they are using substances, especially those with addictions. It was often described as a feeling of complete calmness, a feeling pleasant to all senses, a happiness that is indescribable, a feeling of satisfaction, and a feeling so unique that only certain things can obtain it. Throughout the class, school literature and clinical experiences, I found that it was often documented that people are experiencing this euphoric feeling through negative avenues; However, many people have described experiencing euphoria during positive events such as when they have accomplished a meaningful goal, when they have an adrenaline rush, when they are at church, or at the birth of a baby. Once an individual has experienced that euphoric feeling, they go hard to chase that sensation…even if they only experience it one time.
That type of desire…that type of happiness…that type of passion…that’s how I want my clients to feel about self-love, self-worth and self-acceptance. I want them to go hard for that type of healthy healing! I became committed to the goal of educating them on different things they can do to gain that type of euphoria using POSITIVE strategies, interventions and skills.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I like to refer to myself as The Game Changing Therapist. A Game Changer has new and unique ideas that effectively changes the way a situation is developed, established, or handled. As a therapist, I use this skill to create new and expressive interventions to assist individuals in the way that they change their ability to cope with stressors. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Sports Therapist, Speaker, and Business Owner. As the owner of my private practice and non-profit organization, I dedicate my day to day helping individuals (especially young adults and student athletes) heal in healthy ways. As a former student athlete, I recognize the unique challenges that come with trying to balance athletics, academics, home, and personal.
I specialize in helping individuals view their situations or stressors in various ways and implement more enjoyable strategies to resolve them. I believe that being a creative catalyst encourages the connection between creativity, self-care, and coping. I do not want to be JUST average in the field of mental health. I want to make a difference by applying my skills, knowledge, dedication and passion. I want to change the game!
As a mental health advocate, I am passionate about sharing dialogue and education around mental health and mental illness. I have had the privilege of sharing my expertise and presenting information to high schools, middle schools, community organizations, sororities, conferences, sports camps, sports team and coaches. I like to facilitate these opportunities by adding in an artistic and/or creative component to promote finding alternative ways to cope in various situations.
L.A.C.E., LLC (Learning Alternative Ways to Channel Euphoria) is my mental health private practice. L.A.C.E. is a boutique style private practice. What does that mean? It means that I recognize that therapy does not have a “one fit all” approach. I provide personalized services in a smaller office setting, which allows me to take the time necessary to understand your needs and provide person centered treatment. At L.A.C.E., relationship matters! Collaboration between the client and therapist is essential when centering the sessions on the specific needs, unique to each individual. So during sessions, we will work together to identify the specific goals and supports that you will need to be effective while in services. My goal is to provide a safe, comfortable and tailored space for you to successfully heal.
L.A.C.E. is a combination of my two loves…art and mental health. It works as a creative catalyst fusing together mental health education, advocacy, empowerment, therapy, art and creativity. I strive to make a change in the way individuals cope with daily stressors, while embracing the creative process. I encourage and promote creative thinking from my clients. This enables them to view their situations or stressors in a different way and implement more enjoyable strategies to resolve them. I make it a habit to get people to think outside the box, which will lead to their own creative thinking. With therapeutic strategies at the forefront of promoting coping skills, I use art and creative practice to introduce a safe space for self-reflection, dialogue, skill building and education.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say three qualities that I had to learn, implement, and improve on a regular basis are discipline, self care, and drive. Discipline because when you own a business, you are responsible for whether or not it is successful. You have to stay on top of responsibilities and obligations, even when you are tired or want to quit.
Self care because it can be emotionally difficult to always be there to support others while still going through your own struggles. If you fail to take time to care for yourself, then you will be no good to be there for others. You have to do what it takes to maintain a healthy work life balance and avoid burn out.
Drive because the world of psychology, social work, and mental health have improvements regularly. You have to continue to educate yourself with trainings and certifications so that you can be competent and keep up with new interventions and strategies so that you can be the best support to your clients.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always eager to talk about mental health and advocate for more accessible mental health resources for athletes. So if anyone is looking for a guest for a podcast, a speaker for an event or a panel, someone to facilitate a mental health workshop, or a speaker for a sports team or coaching staff…I’m your woman! You can connect with me via email (info@lacellc.com) or phone (240-712-4175).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lacellc.com
- Instagram: @teamtherapy
- Facebook: @Team Therapy
- Linkedin: Natasha Carter LICSW, LCSW-C
