New Location Starting 2025
Located on Highway 178 in Olive Branch near Olive Branch Elementary School and along the railroad.
From Olive Branch: Look for the Icon Office Center sign immediately after Pigeon Roost Park Blvd. We are located in the first building on the right.
Collaborative Counseling
Get In Touch
Contact CCC to learn more, schedule an appointment, or for a free 15-minute consultation.
Hi there!
Thank you for reaching out to Collaborative Counseling. I’m so glad you are taking a big step towards mental health for you and your loved ones. Unfortunately, we currently have a waitlist.
We are happy to also provide a referral list as a courtesy to you; this list is located both on the bottom bar of this page (just scroll down) and linked on any of our social media platforms. I would highly recommend reaching out to a few of these or others (utilizing psychologytoday.com, openpathcollective.org, or therapyforblackgirls.com) to see if any could also be a good fit.
I would encourage you to advocate for yourself/your child and ensure the provider you choose has the appropriate background to serve you well. There are lots of credentials and confusing combinations of letters that aren't clear. Here's a brief overview: Minors are best served by an RPT (Registered Play Therapist) and family/couples therapy is a specialty of providers with relational training-often a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Some Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) do have training with families and children, but it is not required, and they are often exclusively trained to serve individuals. If you begin treatment with a provider who does not have the appropriate background for your needs, it can at best be mildly supportive and at worst cause your symptoms to get worse.
Please let me know if I can be any further help in your search.
Thanks and wish you the best,
Heather
Already a client? Click here.
Contact Us
(731) 577-1916
heather@collaborativecounselingms.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept my insurance?
We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield*, UHC, MS Medicaid (excluding Molina), CHIP, Optum, and Cigna. Your individual plan will determine your cost. You are welcome to contact your provider in advance to ask about your deductible, copay, or co-insurance.
*BCBS – Heather Carter only
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes. We have a sliding scale based upon family size and income level. I also offer a couple slots per week of reduced fees based upon need and my schedule availability.
How can therapy help me/my family?
Therapy is proven to provide support, problem-solving skills, and treat issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, life changes, self-esteem, relational distress, trauma, and behavioral concerns. Talk therapy works primarily due to a secure attachment between therapist and client plus our combined effort to boost your resources for healing. We treat clients whose symptoms span from mild to severe. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you participate in the process and put into practice what you learn. If you are experiencing substance addiction or are actively in a severe mental health crisis, this setting is not the ideal place for you. See my service page to get a better idea of what we treat specifically!
What specific insight can you offer me?
- Communication
- Attachment Concerns/Relationship Anxiety or Avoidance
- Unhelpful Patterns of Behavior
- Child Play Therapy
- Parent/Child Relationship Issues
- Couples Counseling
- Premarital Counseling
- Spirituality (focus area Christianity)
- Grief
- Personality tools like the Enneagram or Myers-Briggs
If you want to prevent unhelpful family patterns continuing with you, this should be a great fit. If you need support for your child or for yourself as a parent, this should be a great fit. My personal style is hands on, transparent, and flexible; I help my clients with tools, handouts, and resources frequently. I also have a lively sense of humor, so I’ll try to make the process as enjoyable as we can.
What can I expect in my first session?
For individuals: Your first session usually involves sharing information about your personal history including any previous treatment. I want to start getting to know you and understand what brings you in for therapy. Together, we will create your treatment plan and goals.
For couples: Your first session involves starting to gather history of your relationship and what current issues you are facing. Following the first session, I will schedule an individual session with each partner to understand your individual backgrounds. Please be aware that for effective couples therapy, there is typically a brief start up period of gaining information before the true work begins. Premarital couples will jump right in to my premarital course and do not typically require individual sessions!
For children: With young children, I meet with parent/guardian only for the first session. Your child will start the following session. For around 10yrs and over, I offer families the option of parent/guardian for half of the first session with your child waiting in the lobby. The remainder of the session, I’ll be glad to start meeting with your child!
How long does therapy usually last?
Each session is 45mins-1hr. Most can expect about 10-20 sessions depending on your goals for treatment. However, therapy is a personal process, so there is not a set number of sessions. Some clients with extensive trauma receive support for years. You have the right to ask questions or end therapy at any time. When my clients begin to make progress, I recommend a step down process to ensure a healthy transition. This typically looks like moving from weekly to bi-weekly, then monthly, then as needed. The most common issue I face regarding client transitions is premature closure after initial progress is made. Without the proper step down process, this can actually lead to extended treatment in the long run!
How can I get started?
How Do I Get Started?
Initial Consultation
Feel free to call or email me for a free, brief consultation. I do text clients using my work number to accommodate both of our schedules!
Book Appointment
You can view my schedule and request an appointment online here! If you attempt to schedule and it prompts you to call me, either you have tried to schedule within the 24hr. time limit, or I currently have a waitlist.
1st Session!
Find out more by looking at the FAQ above!