Kesedria Carter, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Kesedria Carter

Kesedria Carter

(she/her)

LCSW
7 years of experience
Virtual

Hi! I’m Kesedria and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides virtual therapeutic services in the state of Pennsylvania. I'm dedicated to build upon a culture of transparency, integrity, and compassion to assist people in developing better versions of themselves through mental health awareness and quality counseling services. My current clients seek support with anxiety, depression, stress management/coping skill development, LGBTQ+ affirming care, race related trauma, other trauma symptoms/experiences, family issues, peer relationship issues, strengthening assertive communication skills, and with boundary setting. As a previous social worker in medical settings, I have also provided extensive emotional support for those living with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer. My professional and lived experiences have helped me adopt an inclusive, collaborative, and judgment-free therapeutic space for people to feel heard and understood as they work through their individual healing journeys. My practice operates from a person-centered, trauma-informed, and social justice lens. It would be an honor to partner with you in meeting your mental health needs and to ultimately contribute to your overall health and quality of life. You deserve to be prioritized and live a more fulfilling life! Please be aware that I see clients M-TH (morning and afternoon appointments only). I can also be reached at, Kesedria-LCSW@protonmail.com.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session together, we will start with brief introductions and through a series of questions, gain a clearer idea of what your therapeutic goals are. At the end of this session we will mutually determine if our therapeutic alliance is a good fit in meeting your goals. If we choose to move forward together, this first session will help me create a tailored plan for us to work on in continued sessions.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

As a provider with a medical social work background, I developed a unique person-centered and holistic view to mental health care that has allowed me to connect with and appreciate people from various walks of life on a special human to human level. To build comfort and engagement, I want clients to come to our sessions as their most authentic selves; meaning I want you to feel comfortable and safe enough with me to express your rawest emotions and thoughts, to let your personality shine, and to just be you -without fear of stigma or criticism. In addition to that and my clinical training, my lived experiences as a Black queer woman have given me insight into the complexities many people face. I believe that the client is the ultimate expert of their life and my role is to help guide and support you in creating healthier habits and decisions.

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I have used CBT throughout my career to help clients challenge reoccurring thoughts that contribute to anxiety and depressive symptoms. We can use CBT to better understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors relate and impact each other. We can then use that knowledge to help change your thinking patterns which will help you lead a less anxious and stressed life.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

DBT has been very effective in helping my clients strengthen their emotional regulation skills. You can learn an array of techniques that can help you better manage and cope with your emotions during distressing situations.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Incorporating mindfulness techniques can help you relieve overall stress and aid in shifting your mind and body back to the present. Living with high stress, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, or trauma can make it challenging to live in the present when thoughts often drift to the past or when you excessively worry about the future. Through mindfulness exercises, I will teach you how to consciously become aware of your thoughts and feelings without placing judgement upon them. Since a lot of stress lives within the body, you can also learn techniques to increase body movement and further relief physical tension.

Trauma Informed Care

Providing trauma informed care is a foundational piece of my professional practice. Entering interactions with the recognition and understanding of the effects of trauma on one's health and behaviors, allows me to provide the most holistic care in treating associated symptoms.

Narrative

Consider therapy with me your personal safe talk space. Allow our sessions to be an environment where you can be most authentic self to share and make sense of your most prominent thoughts, experiences, and behaviors. It is a misconception that you must have undergone an identifiable traumatic event to need therapy, I truly believe everyone can benefit from a confidential and neutral space to work through matters on our minds and hearts to improve our lives. Narrative therapy can help strengthen your voice and empower you to reshape those aspects of your life.

Kesedria Carter, LCSW