Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Tiara
Dr. Tiara Carter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 3 years of experience. She specializes in trauma-informed therapy for women and communities of color, with a focus on cultural humility, emotional safety, and empowerment. Dr. Carter’s therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that healing occurs when individuals feel seen, heard, and affirmed. She strives to create culturally inclusive spaces for growth, resilience, and transformation.
Dr. Carter earned her Doctorate in International Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She utilizes evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and narrative therapy to support clients.
Dr. Carter honors the complexity of her clients’ lived experiences and offers therapy as a space for healing, clarity, and connection. She works well with adults and emerging professionals seeking authenticity, emotional resilience, and a therapist who understands the intersection of race, culture, and mental health.

"As a queer Black woman within the field of psychotherapy, I have become acutely aware of one thing: my responsibility to simply show up authentically and hold space for your healing."
Get to know Tiara
Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?
I often say the field of counseling found me during a time when I was trying to make sense of my own upbringing and the mental health stigmas I grew up with. In exploring those experiences, I discovered a deep sense of peace in understanding the mind—and how healing often begins when we reconnect with our inner selves. That journey led me to this work, and I now feel honored to walk alongside others as they navigate their own paths toward healing and wholeness.
What types of clients do you work with best?
I work best with clients who take full responsibility and accountability for their work in the therapeutic process. I commit to always holding space for your healing, as long as you show up, stay open and stay curious!
What type of clients are you most excited to work with?
I’m most energized by working with women, LGBTQIA+ folx, and individuals from communities of color who are ready to explore how their lived experiences—past and present—have shaped their sense of self. I especially connect with clients who may be holding generational or cultural trauma, navigating identity questions, or seeking to break cycles while still honoring where they come from. It’s a privilege to support people who are curious about their healing, even if they’re unsure where to start.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew?
I wish all clients knew that healing doesn’t mean having it all figured out—it means giving yourself permission to grow, even in small steps. You don’t have to be “ready” or have the perfect words to start therapy. Just showing up, as you are, is enough—and it’s a powerful act of courage in itself.
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
I chose to practice at Thriveworks because of their commitment to accessible, high-quality mental health care and their support for clinicians doing meaningful, client-centered work. Their values align with my own—particularly around reducing stigma, honoring diversity, and creating space for healing that’s both culturally responsive and trauma-informed. Being part of a team that prioritizes whole-person care allows me to focus on what matters most: showing up fully for my clients.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the simple, grounding moments in life—warm conversations over tea, fresh air on a quiet walk, or the feeling of being truly understood. These small experiences remind me of the beauty in slowing down and being present. I’m also deeply moved by the power of shared knowledge—when we take time to educate, uplift, and learn from one another, we create spaces for connection, empowerment, and self-reliance. Watching people step into their truth and begin to trust their own voice continues to be one of the greatest sources of inspiration in both my work and my life.
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
Clients can expect our first session to be low stakes and conversational. I want to learn as much as I can about what make you you, as well as what's priority for your to address over the next few weeks of our therapeutic journey together.
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
During our first session, my intention is to clarify your prioritized goals over the therapeutic process, and to understand the basic foundations of your story and how that has led you into the conversation of therapy.
What should clients know about you before scheduling a first session?
My clinical approach is a bit eclectic, wherein I pull from a plethora of modalities. However, it is important to know that this space is both client-centered and solution-based, so we will address only the challenges specific to your journey, at your pacing.
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
I am passionate about herbal medicine, so when I am not wearing my clinical hat, I invest my time in expanding my knowledge and expertise in herbalism as a means of more deeply supporting community.
What's one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)?
One thing that defines me beyond my professional role is my commitment to evolving the legacy of my ancestral lineage. I come from a line of resilient, intuitive women and and community caretakers, and I see my work—and my way of being in the world—as a continuation of that legacy. Whether through healing, advocacy, or simply holding space for others, I carry their wisdom forward while creating my own path as a change agent and nurturer in this generation.
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 3 years
- Graduating institute
- Bowie State University
- Graduating degree
- Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
