Allison Carter, LCSW

Allison Carter, LCSW Allison Carter, LCSW provides compassionate psychotherapy for individuals healing from anxiety, depr Are you seeking healing, growth, change or acceptance?

Welcome to therapy with Allison Carter, LCSW, serving the diverse communities in Pasadena and Los Angeles. I offer therapeutic services to adults, teens/tweens and couples. I just might be able to help.

12/04/2025

Here’s some info on the groups we’re currently enrolling for!
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Process Group for Teen Boys
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Body Image Group
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Mindfulness and Process Group for Parents of babies and young children
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Read more on our website and reach out with any questions or to get started.
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"Underneath all the distress, partners are asking each other: Can I count on you, depend on you? Are you there for me?" ...
12/02/2025

"Underneath all the distress, partners are asking each other: Can I count on you, depend on you? Are you there for me?"
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Do these questions strike a chord in your heart?
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These questions are at the core of every couples session in our office. Every couple's circumstance is endlessly unique and complex, and the road to finding each other again can be winding. The nature of meaningful presence is going to be different for every person we sit with. But we never lose track of this fundamental question: "are you there for me?"
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In couples therapy we help you find each other again through the webs of disappointment, miscommunication, and old wounds that have followed you both to this moment. Through a combination of communication support, shared exploration, and mindfulness, we help you slow it down so you can show up for each other in a way that feels exciting, loving and safe.
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Ready to get found? Reach out at hello@carterpsychotherapycollective.com to schedule a free couples therapy consultation.
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Adolescence can be a confusing time for young men, especially as ideas of masculinity continue to shift and evolve. This...
11/21/2025

Adolescence can be a confusing time for young men, especially as ideas of masculinity continue to shift and evolve. This group offers teen boys a supportive space to explore identity, authenticity, and belonging. By connecting with peers, they can ease feelings of disconnection and openly share the challenges of growing up male today.
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Too often, when emotions go unexpressed, teen boys retreat inward — turning to online spaces, self-criticism, or anger. Research shows that young men in the U.S. report significantly higher rates of loneliness than any other group. This group is designed to counter that trend by offering hope, community, and a safe place to explore their feelings alongside others who understand.
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Each session will begin with a short prompt (such as an article or clip) to spark reflection, but the real emphasis will be on the inner world of participants as they navigate adolescence. Over the course of the program, every member will also have a chance to open a discussion by sharing for 2–3 minutes about whatever is on their mind that relates to the group’s themes. These small acts of vulnerability can become catalysts for deeper connection among peers.
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As a humanistic, person-centered therapist, Toph is committed to creating a space where participants feel free to challenge limiting societal expectations and discover more authentic versions of themselves. This group offers a space for honest conversations, genuine connection, and personal growth. 
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Please share and reach out with any questions or to get on the list!!
hello@carterpsychotherapycollective.com

How is it for you to take a couple of days off? Is it obvious? Or do you basically have to have your best friend store y...
11/21/2025

How is it for you to take a couple of days off? Is it obvious? Or do you basically have to have your best friend store your computer in a vault at the bottom of the sea?
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Is it mostly intuitive for you to strike a balance between taking it easy and taking care of yourself? Or is this a balance that you often overthink?
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Is it simple for you to prioritize time with your family *and* time for yourself? Or are you fraught with guilt and anxiety when you think about how to accomplish this?
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Do you believe that the phrase "have some fun!" applies to you, too?
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We've offered up some tips, but this year we ultimately invite you to focus on listening inwards, practicing gratitude for what you have, granting yourself grace, and not requiring of yourself that you 'get it right.'
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xo! Happy Thanksgiving!
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The last couple of weeks I've been hearing some doubt about whether tending to mental health is a betrayal to our values...
07/10/2025

The last couple of weeks I've been hearing some doubt about whether tending to mental health is a betrayal to our values. For example - if I manage my depression, will I stop wanting to leave my job? If I manage my anxiety, will I stop wanting to take action?
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My short answer is, "no." Tending to our mental health actually widens our bandwidth to act in accordance with our values. And while we can't eradicate the mental health impact of unjust and unhealthy situations, we can mitigate it to an extent, which can enable us to stay connected with ourselves and our loved ones, and to take more effective action.
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I think a relevant piece here is the old Buddhist adage that "pain is inevitable, but suffering is not." We can't eradicate pain. We can't eradicate fear. But we can take care of ourselves and stay connected with our own true north within that circumstance.
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That's where therapy comes in. Clearly I'm a therapist so I'm biased, but I absolutely believe that therapy can facilitate sweeter, more effective responses to awful circumstances.
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We can be in this together.
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Much love and onwards.
💙 Allison
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Learn more about our therapist Toph in this profile by Anna B. David on Psychology today 👏*Here's the link: https://www....
07/08/2025

Learn more about our therapist Toph in this profile by Anna B. David on Psychology today 👏
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Here's the link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/recover-girl/202506/the-artist-who-became-a-healer
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A little blurb from the article:
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"His experience growing up in the aftermath of family tragedy, navigating complex sibling relationships, and processing grief that was both private and public gives him unique insight into how families cope with loss and trauma. He understands the importance of helping people find and trust their own narratives."
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Toph works with teens and adults, and specializes in grief, depression, complex family dynamics, anxiety and therapy for creatives and athletes. You can learn more about therapy with Toph at our link in bio, or on his website: https://www.topheggerstherapy.com/
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We stand with protesters across Los Angeles in demanding ICE and the military leave Los Angeles immediately. We demand d...
06/11/2025

We stand with protesters across Los Angeles in demanding ICE and the military leave Los Angeles immediately. We demand dignity and safety for all of our neighbors and their families.
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Please join me in welcoming Toph to the team! He is a deeply human and compassionate presence who is eager to walk along...
05/21/2025

Please join me in welcoming Toph to the team! He is a deeply human and compassionate presence who is eager to walk alongside you as you seek greater alignment and relief from suffering.
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From Toph:
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Much of our pain stems from internal conflict — a quiet struggle between who we think we should be and what we truly want. This tension can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and paralyzed in our growth. When we remain in this state too long, it can manifest physically, emotionally, and spiritually, leading to chronic discomfort and a deep sense of disconnection.
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Toph works especially well with adults and teens experiencing persistent depression, complex family dynamics, and high pressure — particularly athletes, artists and high achievers. He also specializes in helping individuals who have experienced early loss or childhood trauma, and he enjoys supporting young men exploring issues of masculinity and self-identity. Additionally, he works with couples seeking deeper connection and communication.
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Please visit Toph at www.carterpsychotherapycollective.com/topheggers to find out more and book a consultation!
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Address

503 Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA
91030

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm

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