Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Carrera.
Christie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been fascinated with interpersonal relationships for as long as I can remember. Even as a kid I was the one mediating playground conflicts and trying to understand why people behaved the way they did. I was always drawn to psychology and the idea of helping people better understand themselves and their relationships. For a short time I was also interested in law, and I think that part of me still shows up today through the advocacy I have for my clients.
At my core, the values that guide both my clinical work and my leadership are authenticity, empowerment, and fairness. Mental health care works best when people feel safe, respected, and understood, and that applies not only to clients but also to the therapists providing the care.
What has always meant the most to me as a therapist is hearing a client say they finally achieved something they had been struggling with for years because of the work we did together. Moments like that are incredibly meaningful and remind me why I chose this field in the first place.
After graduate school I spent three years working toward full licensure under clinical supervision in a community serving a lower socioeconomic population. Clinically, it was an incredibly valuable experience that exposed me to resilience, complexity, and perspectives I had not previously encountered. Unfortunately, the workplace culture itself was extremely unhealthy. I experienced bullying and harassment from my clinical supervisor, and by the time I earned my LCSW I was deeply burned out and questioning whether I could remain in the field.
I moved into private practice hoping it would be a healthier professional environment. Over time I worked my way into leadership and eventually became the Vice President and a clinical supervisor. But even there I began to see systemic problems that exist across much of the mental health field. Too often therapists are treated like productivity machines instead of professionals doing emotionally demanding work.
I strongly believe that sustainable caseloads, autonomy, and the ability for therapists to take care of themselves are essential if they are going to provide meaningful care to their clients. Transparency with clients and a commitment to treatment efficacy and evidence-based practice are also central to how I approach therapy. For us, outcomes and ethical care matter more than maximizing profit.
Eventually I reached a point where the practice owner and I fundamentally disagreed on how the practice should operate. I believed therapists needed autonomy, manageable caseloads, and the freedom to prioritize ethical care and self care. The business model prioritized high productivity and revenue. That difference in values made it clear that if I wanted to see a different kind of environment in this field, I would have to help build it myself.
Around that time I reconnected with a colleague from my first workplace, Jen. We met for lunch and started talking about what a healthier, more ethical therapy practice could look like. By the end of that conversation we had decided to co-found our own practice.
Together we built Adaptive Counseling and Therapy, a women-owned practice designed around therapist autonomy, sustainable caseloads, and the freedom for therapists to choose the clients and schedules that work best for them.
We built the practice around a simple belief: when therapists are supported and empowered, clients ultimately receive better care. In a field where burnout is common, building healthier systems for therapists is one of the most effective ways to improve the quality and sustainability of mental health care overall.
One moment this past winter really reinforced that for me. At our holiday dinner with the team, one of our therapists gave a toast and shared that working at the practice had changed their life. Hearing that meant the world to me. Creating a space where therapists feel respected, supported, and able to do meaningful work is exactly what we set out to do. Moments like that are incredibly rewarding and remind me why building this practice matters.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Early in my career I learned how much workplace culture can impact both therapists and the care they provide. Navigating difficult professional environments while still trying to grow as a new therapist was incredibly challenging and at times made me question whether I could continue in the field.
Another challenge has been pushing against some of the traditional business models that exist within mental health. Many practices operate in ways that prioritize productivity over therapist wellbeing. I believe therapists need manageable caseloads, autonomy, and time to care for themselves if they are going to provide ethical and effective care.
Starting a practice also comes with the normal challenges of entrepreneurship. There is financial risk, administrative responsibility, and the challenge of building a team that shares your values. But for me, those challenges have been worth it to create a workplace culture that prioritizes transparency, respect, and sustainability.
As you know, we’re big fans of Adaptive Counseling & Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Adaptive Counseling & Therapy is a women owned therapy practice built around the belief that both clients and therapists deserve an environment that prioritizes authenticity, ethical care, and meaningful outcomes.
We provide psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families, and our therapists specialize in a wide range of areas including relationship issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Our approach emphasizes transparency with clients, evidence based treatment, and helping people develop the insight and tools they need to create lasting change in their lives.
One of the things that sets our practice apart is the way we structure our workplace culture. Many therapy practices operate with high productivity expectations that can contribute to therapist burnout. We intentionally designed our practice differently. Our therapists have autonomy over their schedules, manageable caseloads, and the freedom to choose the types of clients and work that align best with their skills and interests.
We believe strongly that when therapists are supported and able to practice sustainably, clients ultimately receive better care. That philosophy guides both how we treat the people who work with us and how we care for the people who come to us for support.
Brand wise, what I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve created. Our goal was to build a practice where therapists feel respected, empowered, and able to do the work they love without sacrificing their wellbeing. Creating that kind of environment ultimately benefits everyone involved.
What we want readers to know is that seeking therapy is an act of courage, and the relationship between a therapist and client matters deeply. Our mission is to provide a space where people feel safe, understood, and supported as they work toward meaningful change in their lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think both good and bad luck have played important roles in my journey.
Some of the hardest experiences early in my career felt like bad luck at the time. The challenges I faced in my early workplaces were difficult, but they also gave me clarity about the kind of professional environment I never wanted to recreate. Those experiences ultimately shaped my commitment to building something healthier for both therapists and clients.
There was also good luck along the way in the form of the right people. Reconnecting with my colleague Jen and realizing we shared the same vision for what a therapy practice could look like was a huge turning point. That partnership made it possible to actually build the kind of environment we had both wished existed earlier in our careers.
In many ways, what once felt like bad luck ended up being the push that led to creating something better.
Pricing:
- $200/session
- Accepts major health insurances
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adaptivetherapynj.com
