We recently connected with Dorian Carter and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dorian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

In 2017, I graduated my 2-year program at LeTourneau University. After 2.5 years of working and attending graduate classes. I finally finished in May of 2017. The long days and nights finally paid off and culminated into 2 Master’s degrees. I received a master’s degree in counseling and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In October of 2017, I passed the NCE in 2017. On 04/12/2018, I received my Licensed Professional Counseling intern license which is now called Licensed Professional Associates license.

The job search began in April; the job search for a LPCA can be taxing. In 2018 I was working for Texas Children’s hospital and making pretty decent money. I had a 3-year-old son and a daughter on the way. It was important that I find a job where I could be compensated for my skill set. Due to my training at Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, I knew I wanted to work in private practice. Finding a job at an appropriate private practice required me to google individual practices and apply to them directly. Unfortunately, most practices don’t advertise their hiring. I randomly applied to counseling centers in areas I wanted to work.

Luckily, after searching for weeks I found the place that was right for me. Amy Wine Counseling Center. The process was interesting, I interviewed with a new business manager first and I was so nervous. The interviewed went well and I was introduced to Amy Wine the owner. This is when I knew the place I interviewed was for me. During the interview she explained 3 things that were really important to me. The first was she wanted to build a counseling center of therapist who supported each other. She wanted to help develop interns as qualified, competent clinicians. And I think the part that really inspired me is that she also wanted us to be successful entrepreneurs in the business of mental health.

Dorian , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Dorian Carter, I am a 42 year old African American male. I have four siblings who I grew up with in the Southwest and Northwest Houston area. I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers. I graduated from Fort Bend Austing high school. I also graduated from the University of Houston ( GO COOGS). I am a proud member of PHI BETA SIGMA fraternity inc. I am a father of 2 children. I have a 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. I take being a father seriously. I think being there dad is my favorite job.

I originally went to Texas State Technical college where I received an associate degree in computer science in 2002. After I came home, I didn’t enjoy working in computer science and I went back to school for Psychology. In 2017, I graduated from the university of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Looking back, I think becoming a Licensed Professional counselor was a natural progression. Although, I definitely took the road less traveled. My first job out of college was at a drug rehabilitation for teenagers. I enjoyed working with the kids, but I knew this wasn’t the career path for me. I transitioned to working for Big brother’s big sisters where I learned so much about professionalism, community engagement, modeling and creating strong work relationships. I transitioned to Texas children’s hospital where I probably learned the most. I worked at Texas Childrens Hospital as a Child Life Activity coordinator. And I learned more in this role than I could ever write. However, I want to emphasize that I learned the power of empathy and Authenticity. I learned the importance of support from both family and community. I also learned that I needed to get more skills to help people. Working with sick children, families and being there to support them through hard days lead me to gain these skills as a Licensed professional counselor.

Another thing that really helped me is that I really worked in my community doing countless community service events in Houston throughout the years. I believe seeing the way people live and struggle day to day has afforded me a range of experiences to draw from. I have seen what grief looks like up close. I have seen the effects of depression on a family. I have seen how families operate under severe stress. I have seen good relationship and bad relationships.

As mentioned earlier Amy Wine Counseling which is now Sequoia Counseling Center prepared me to run my business, Actualization Counseling Center. Amy Wine, Audrey Omenson and all the therapist employed there; as well as my journey prepared me to become the therapist I am today.

At Actualization counseling Center we offer quality therapeutic services to individuals, couples and families in the state of Texas. We help people struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, schizophrenics, psychosis and more. We serve adults and children. We also prepare the next generation of therapist with a relationship with Fort Bend Conty. What sets us apart is that we are authentic, relatable, knowledgeable, skillful, and continuous learners.

I am proud that I have built a career and potentially a legacy on helping people, being there for people during their time of needs and I get employ & teach people to do the same. I want people to know that when they have tough times, we are here to help them figure out and when they are having a ton of good moments, we’re here to help them as well. Actualization Counseling Center is here to help people to reach their highest level of functioning.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I believe the biggest pivot for me is probably similar to that of a lot of people today. COVID Happen. In 2020 when they shut down the world, in person counseling was also shut down. Up until that time and even up until the last day I didn’t want to work in teletherapy. When we were forced to, I was so stressed out and worried things would workout at the counseling center I worked at during the time; I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t think I was going to be able to stay employed at the counseling center under the new structure that was created due to COVID. So I worked during the day and eventually I started my credentialing paperwork for BCBS, AETNA, Cigna, and United healthcare up until this time I didn’t want to have anything to do with insurance. During COVID, I think the world changed the way it looked at mental health, access to mental health and the prioritization of mental health. I stepped out of my comfort zone and began offering therapeutic services on my own and advertising myself as a separate entity from the counseling center I was working. I gained 3 – 9 clients under my business.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

Due to the pivot I made during COVID, I began getting my own clients. Eventually the clients went from 9 – 15 clients of my own. Once I had 15 consistent weekly clients, I began looking for office space. I started in 1 executive suite in Sugarland, Tx. I originally only had a chair and a futon. As I continued to see clients, I was able to get more furniture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Actualizationcounselingcenter.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/107537877463988/actualization-counseling-center/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DorianCartercounseling/