Meet Marie Carnine

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

Hi Marie, how do you define success?
In today’s world, we usually define success in dollar signs and profits. While it is important to make a decent living, for me, success as a counselor is defined by the positive impact my work has on the lives of others. If I can be the safe space for an abused child to process their trauma, and if I can help them to feel seen, valued, and heard, I have succeeded. When I sit with a hurting woman or man who is trying to muster the courage to tell the secret they have held for decades, I am successful when their secret pain no longer holds them captive.

Sucess as a piano teacher is seeing my former students use their learned skills and knowledge in their lives as adults. Seeing students go on to gain degrees in music at university, seeing them lead music in their churches, seeing them teach their children how to play the piano is a great reward. Weekly, I see success when the eyes of a child light up when they master playing a song that they thought was too difficult.

Success is modeling not giving up when things are hard, be it mastering a new piece of music on the piano or walking through the pain of healing from loss or trauma. Ultimately, personal success will be measured by the footprint I leave behind and hearing my Savior say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Starting my private counseling practice, Interlude Christian Counseling, PLLC was the fulfillment of a career dream. My training and career focus has been as a trauma therapist for clients of all ages. What I learned through working for myself with my first business, Piano Lessons North Texas, has helped me through the challenges of starting my private practice in counseling and working to make it successful. I wanted to create a safe space where those seeking a Christian licensed professional counselor could find biblically integrated treatment. Finding a practice location that provided the atmosphere I was looking for was a challenge. I was fortunate to find a location that feels peaceful, a bit like home in an old farmhouse building, and private, located on the top floor of the business building. I am excited to have the ability to serve the foster care population through contract work and to serve the local community at my private practice. I have learned that balancing self-care when running two businesses is critical to my success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place to escape to is Lake Ray Roberts. I love walking in the sand and water, watching the boats, or hiking the trails and seeing the deer. When friends come to visit, I introduce them to Fort Worth. The zoo is the best in the nation. The stockyards are always exciting and offer great places for some Texas barbeque. The botanical gardens are the place to be on a summer early evening/night. After strolling the gardens, it’s a highlight to enjoy a picnic while listening to the Fort Worth Symphony Concerts in the Garden and then end the night with fireworks. The museums in Fort Worth hold some amazing pieces of art and art shows. The water gardens in downtown Fort Worth are beautiful in the day or at night. My favorite places to eat in Fort Worth are Kincaids and Cousins, though Central Market is a favorite also. For a nice dine-in experience, I head to Frisco to Platia Greek Kouzina or to Upper Crust in Plano.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my three adult children, Anne-Marie, Samuel, and Joel. As a single mother, when I had to bury myself in my studies or take an exam for my master’s degree, my kids never complained. When my children were little, they learned to keep themselves busy playing together while the piano songs of little students filled the house on a daily basis. I am honored to be their mother and am proud of how they are now making their own impact in the world.
Martie and Roy, my sister and her husband, supported me through the years of single parenting, building my businesses, and completing my master’s degree.
Ginni and Kelli, my dear friends, held me up when I didn’t have the ability to stand on my own.
Lastly, and most importantly, I thank Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price that I might know Him. He is my Rock and without Him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://www.interludechristiancounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interludechristiancounseling/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-carnine-m-a-lpc-51859a242/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interludechristiancounseling

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/993224