Hello. My name is Ruth Carter and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 13 years experience in this field. Before becoming a counselor, I was a teacher who found many of her students in need of emotional guidance as well as intellectual development. I began to think that if I was going to help my students, I needed to know more. I left teaching to seek a degree in Counseling. Over the years, I have seen people whose problems ranged from making a tough decision to changing their life; people who suffered from a situational depression to a major mental illness; people who struggled with poor decision making to living with an all consuming addiction. No change is easy, but they are possible. Talking with a therapist is not easy for most people, and I applaud your decision to reach out. I have been trained in different therapeutic approaches, but my primary job is to listen. I must also provide you with a safe environment for your explorations. I will always treat you with respect and compassion. And sometimes I will challenge your thinking. Together we will find meaningful and useful strategies within your strengths that deal with your concerns. Whether or not you come to see me, I am pleased that you are seeking assistance. I wish the very best for you.