ABOUT

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My name is Aaron Carter and I work as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). In 2001, I began working with individuals, couples, & families while living NYC and continued when I returned, to MA, six years later. In 2017, I transitioned full-time to my private practice after working 17 years for public and private therapeutic & community organizations.

I enjoy and continue to work with people from different parts of the world and various cultural backgrounds, including LGBTQIA, as well as a wide range of socioeconomic contexts. I have a history of working with people on various points of an emotional, physical, spiritual, and substance use continuum - meeting with them during significant challenges, working to get their lives & relationships to a healthier point, and focusing on maintaining a balanced life. I’m mindful that movement takes time and see my role in helping to create conditions and the space needed to open up self-expression, reflection, healing, and relationship growth, while transitioning to hopeful next steps in life with a stronger sense of understanding, confidence, and direction.

My approach is strongly influenced by Open Dialogue, Gottman Method, Spiritual Development, Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Financial Literacy.

I think there are few initial things to consider when working with a therapist - rapport, trust, and a therapist with a wide range of experiences in relation to pain, suffering, prolonged uncertainty, change, and possibilities.

TESTIMONIALS:

“My partner and I have been together for over 18 years and were looking for marital counseling to dust off the cobwebs and re-establish our lines of communication around difficult topics. While we were a bit hesitant to do virtual counseling, we’re so glad that we worked with Aaron! He helped us really hear each other, encouraged us to step outside our comfort zone, and was incredibly responsive to our changing needs. We cannot recommend him enough!”

“I found Aaron four years ago when a very close friend, for whom I am also Power of Attorney, was going through a major crisis. I interviewed 4 therapists and knew immediately that Aaron would be a great match for her with his kind, easy-going manner. For the first couple of years, Aaron and I communicated regularly as well (with her blessing). She and Aaron had weekly visits, then (during the pandemic) changed to phone calls. After a few years, she was doing so well that she tapered off to calls every other month. After 4 years, she has undergone tremendous change and is doing so well that she has decided to discontinue her sessions, knowing that she can resume if she ever feels the need. I am incredibly grateful for the role that Aaron has played in her life and all that he has contributed to her recovery from a very difficult and traumatic event.”

“I turned to Aaron when my son was experiencing serious emotional crises that threatened his life and our family's health. Because my son was a young adult and refused to voluntarily seek help, I put myself into therapy to seek a deeper understanding of the family dynamics that were contributing to the crisis. Aaron helped me see how my behavior kept us trapped in a cycle of dysfunction, even if it was done out of an abundance of love. He was gentle and supportive and helped me set realistic expectations around my son’s recovery. His calm manner kept me from despair and helped me reset my relationship with my son which continues to improve today.”  

“I worked with Aaron for two years following my mother's diagnosis with terminal cancer. I felt fully respected in each facet of my identify as a young queer Jewish woman, and appreciated the chance to build trust with him by discussing books and ideas as well as hearing bits of Aaron's own life. Aaron tended to follow my lead for how to structure each session and was extremely helpful in helping me recognize and de-mechanize my patterns in several different relationships in my life. I'm grateful for the guidance he offered in this time of grief and adjustment.”

”Our family worked with Aaron last year in dealing with a serious mental illness in one of our grown children. His illness affected the entire family, and before we met Aaron, we did not have a good way for everyone to deal with their feelings about this. We all found Aaron kind, insightful, calm, confident, and trustworthy. Aaron is a truly gifted therapist, and has my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for how he helped our family.”

“My husband and I found Aaron while we were looking for pre-marriage counseling in the months leading up to our wedding, and we're so very glad we did! We wanted someone to offer us some guidance, as many of our married friends who had opted for religious ceremonies had gotten from their priest or pastor, and Aaron ended up fitting the bill perfectly. He was immediately warm and welcoming, and he helped open up conversations that had been a cause of tension in our relationship. We always felt very safe, comfortable, and heard in his space. I would (and actually have) highly recommend Aaron for other couples, whether looking for pre-marital counseling or simply to open up communication in areas that may be difficult to speak to on their own.”

"Aaron made me feel incredibly comfortable and that is something families notice about him.....Aaron's attunement allows him to ask the most important questions at just the right time - a true gift. I cannot recommend Aaron enough; he is a wonderful, thoughtful and highly skilled clinician."