Meet Christina Carrick | Psychotherapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Carrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
One of my favorite quotes is, “If it’s both terrifying and amazing, then you should definitely pursue it.” I believe that fear shouldn’t be a factor in making decisions. While there are risks to anything – relocations, job change, etc., each movement teaches us something. And each move is an experience that can move you forward for the next change. When I graduated from grad school at Florida State University with my Masters in Social Work, I was interning at a school. When I went into Social Work, my end goal was to work for the school system. But, when I graduated, I was ready for a change, and felt a pull to move to Atlanta. The internship offered me a job with the school. It was being handed to me, everything I wanted. But I turned it down. I moved to Atlanta with no job in sight. I gave myself a year, and that if I didn’t like it here or it didn’t work out, I’d move back to Florida (where I’d grown up). I found a job within 6 months, and eventually landed a job with a local school system. 11 years later, and Atlanta is my home. Had I not taken that risk post-graduation, my life would’ve taken a different turn. I’ve taken other life risks along the way. Some have been painful. Others have been successful. Either way, it always works out.

What should our readers know about your business?
While opening my own private practice felt like the natural next step in my career, it didn’t come without stumbles. I opened a month before COVID. That’s the funny thing about timing. Had I known the world would shut down and my brand new business would suffer, I wouldn’t have pursued it. But, that’s what happens. You hustle a little more to make things happen when it doesn’t come as easily as you’d expected. I had to rely on the relationships I built over the years and start to build new ones in the midst of a pandemic, so that the community felt comfortable coming to me for the most vulnerable parts of their mental health. For me, relationships are paramount. It’s the basis of my work with parents, and how I interact with clients. I feel proud of the work I do, and even more proud of my clients who show up, do the work, lean into the discomfort of change, so that healing and growth can happen.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The things to do, see, and eat in this city are endless. I’ve lived here for over a decade and I’m still constantly learning and trying new things. Springtime in Atlanta is a whole vibe. The city comes alive after blustery winter. Patios are bustling, parks are alive with picnics and festivals. The festivals are the best in this city. And each unique neighborhood has something to offer – go to Edgewood and stroll Sweet Auburn Market. Inman Park has Krog Street Market and an incredible festival in April. Virginia Highland (my home) has the best hole-in-the-wall hangouts, culinary gems, and the best events put on by Virginia Highland District Association. Don’t sleep on Ponce City Market, the Beltline, or any of the tucked away hiking trails right in the city. Get on a bike, have a food crawl around the city and try all the best burgers and wings. Oh yeah, and all the museums. You’re gonna need a few extra days on that visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve always been surrounded by incredible women. Whether it’s my mom, aunt, grandmothers, or amazing girlfriends. All along the way, they’ve lifted me up, been my hype women, shot it to me straight and have been brutally honest when I needed it, allowed me to make my own mistakes and loved me anyway. The comfort in that support is like no other.

Other important life-giving groups in my life is the volunteer work I do with Kate’s Club and Virginia Highland District Association. Kate’s Club is a non-profit that helps kids navigate grief after the loss of a parent or sibling. That place, the kids, the relationships I’ve built with the family of volunteers – it feeds my soul. My work on the board of VaHi District has lit a fire in my love for my neighborhood and community. The board is full of successful, empathetic, driven, all around bad-ass individuals. Our goal is to elevate our community and help it thrive. But that group drives me as a human. I love my village of helpers and doers.

Website: carrickcounseling.com

Instagram: @carrickcounseling

Facebook: Carrick Counseling

Image Credits
Brittany Hester for all photos except for the Kate’s Club photo with the child.