Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Vanessa
Vanessa Longoria-Carter is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has 13 years of experience in the mental health field. Vanessa has provided therapeutic services in a variety of settings including outpatient, intensive outpatient, community-based, home-based, and school-based. She has worked as a clinical supervisor to graduate-level interns providing individual, group, and family counseling in adult and child-focused facilities. During Vanessa's training she worked almost exclusively with military families and their surrounding communities. She has specialized training and experience in the areas of child welfare, child abuse prevention and intervention, domestic violence prevention and intervention, divorce with dignity, foster care and adoptions, blended families, immigration, and couples struggling with infidelity.
Vanessa completed her bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and her master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Tarleton State University-Central Texas. She has received additional training through The Center for Anger Resolution to obtain the credentials of Certified Anger Resolution Therapist. Vanessa has received training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), couples therapy, solution-focused therapy, and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT). She is also certified in hypnotherapy.
Vanessa believes that every client is unique and it is important to ensure the client is utilizing the strengths they already have in order to empower growth and positive change. As a therapist she hopes to help clients build a strong foundation so that they can continue to make positive changes even after they are no longer receiving services.

"My goal is to honor all of the life experience that you have, provide a place of understanding and safety, and create a space for personal growth."
Get to know Vanessa
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
I've always had a passion for helping. Helping people find their strengths seemed like a natural fit.
What types of clients do you work with best?
I love working with clients who are motivated and interested in working together to make changes big or small.
What type of clients are you most excited to work with?
I'm most excited to work with clients that get just as excited as I do about progress!!
What’s one thing you wish all clients knew?
I wish all clients knew that therapy is for everyone!
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
Their core values matched mine.
What inspires you?
People who are constantly improving themselves.
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
Don't be nervous! My first sessions are usually really fun!!
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
It's all about getting to know each other. You're deciding in that first session if I'm the right therapist for you. I'm finding out information that is necessary to do work together but you're also deciding if we can accomplish your goals together!
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
Spend time with my family.
What’s one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)?
My family means the world to me.
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 13 years
- Graduating institute
- Tarleton State University-Central Texas
- Graduating degree
- Masters in Counseling Psychology
