Natasha Carter

Natasha Carter

Credentials: LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW
Practice: L.A.C.E. LLC
Phone: (240) 712-4175
E-mail: info@lacellc.com
Location: 413 Main Street, Suite 4 Laurel, MD
Website: https://www.lacellc.com/
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield CareFirst, Cigna
Fees: $75 - $200

Specializing In—
Emotional Disturbance, Sports Performance, Child or Adolescent

About

Natasha is known 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, Natasha uses this skill to create new and expressive interventions to assist individuals in the way that they change their ability to cope with stressors. She is a licensed clinical social worker, licensed Psychotherapist, Sports Therapist, Speaker, and Business Owner. As the owner of her private practice and non-profit organization, she dedicates her life to helping individuals (especially young adults and student athletes) heal in healthy ways. As a young adult, she understands how difficult it can be to navigate through life with the challenges of unexpected life stressors. As a former student athlete, she recognizes the unique challenges that come with trying to balance athletics, academics, home, and personal.

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.

Coined The Game Changing Therapist, Natasha specializes in helping individuals view their situations or stressors in various ways and implement more enjoyable strategies to resolve them. She believes that being a creative catalyst encourages the connection between creativity, self-care, and coping. She does not want to be average in the field of mental health. She wants to make a difference by applying her skills, knowledge, dedication and passion. Natasha wants to change the game!

As a mental health advocate, Natasha is passionate about sharing dialogue and education around mental health and mental illness. She has had the privilege of sharing her expertise and presenting information to high schools, middle schools, community organizations, sororities, conferences, sports camps, sports team and coaches. She likes to facilitate these opportunities by adding in an artistic and/or creative component to promote finding alternative ways to cope in various situations.

Natasha holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Barry University, with a clinical focus. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University, with a Minor in African Studies. She has over 13 years of experience in clinical settings such as hospitals (Inpatient mental health units for adults and children, Emergency Department, and Cardiac Unit), residential group home for adolescents and youth, outpatient mental health (community, office, and in-home based), Respite, and school. Natasha maintains her private practice in Laurel, Maryland.