Meet Czyz Carter | Psychotherapist

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

Hi Czyz, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the constant urge to have power over my own life, because not long after becoming an adult I lost that power. 13 years ago, I was 20 years old and I was arrested on misdemeanor charges for unlawfully having a hand gun in my car. Those charges were dismissed about 3 years after the arrest. That criminal charge was the catalyst that changed my mindset into a business owner vs being an employee. (Now there’s nothing wrong with being an employee because everyone’s situation, necessities and goals are different, but my experience with jobs after that arrest was horrible.) (Keep in mind, this was also right after the recession.) As I waited on a court date, nobody would hire me once they ran a background check, therefore I was forced to work temp jobs that would only last a day or two. Later, I was hired at a Family Dollar by someone who knew my situation, but he ended up using it to his advantage and would get disrespectful at times because he knew no one else would hire me. I eventually quit and started working at GNC, but after a month of working there, they called asking about my background check and fired me because of it. (Which was shocking considering that the information was on my initial application.) Dollar Tree eventually hired me, and that was a fun job, but the hours and pay was not good at all. I’m just thankful to this day that Dollar Tree gave me that opportunity when no one else would. In that year of working at Dollar Tree my charge was dismissed and I graduated with a bachelor degree from the University of North Texas. I was hoping to begin a career as CPS worker because I wanted to save lives and also gain working experience in my main career as a mental health counselor. During the interview for the CPS caseworker position, the lady asked me will anything show up on my background check. I told her yes, but the status will say dismissed. She laughed with the other interviewer and told me I will need to wait 10 years before I’m eligible to be hired (which I don’t think is true). I felt defeated and lost confidence in myself which showed in my demeanor in future interviews. Eventually I was able to land some good paying jobs and I went on to complete my Masters degree in counseling with the intent of starting a private practice as soon as possible. I kept every denial email from every job position I ever applied for and I use it as motivation to this day. I don’t want anyone to have the power to tell I’m not good enough to do a job because of my past or cause me to feel defeated and unworthy. I learned that nobody will care about how I make a living, so I need to keep that power in my own hands. Reminiscing on those past situations, inspire me daily to be the best business owner I can possibly be, and it’s a constant reminder of how far I have come.

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?
I would definitely take them to a Dallas Mavericks game. After that there’s a lot to choose from such as the art museum, escape rooms, hookah lounge etc. On the weekend we would hang out at deep ellum and just enjoy the night life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first and most important shout out will go to my mother Emily Owens. There’s no way I get to where I’m at today without her love and assistance. Parents are not required to do anything for you once you become an adult so the fact that she has went out her way to assist me in various ways will always be appreciated.

My second shoutout will go to my grandmothers Mattie Carter and Lois Pruitt. Unfortunately they both passed away while I was in grad school but the unconditional love they had for me will never be forgotten R.I.P.

My 3rd shout out will go to MHMR Tarrant county for giving me my first opportunity in the mental health field. The experienced I gained there is useful to this day.

4th shoutout will go to Jessica Oliver and “The Center for Children and Families” in Shreveport for giving me my first opportunity as a licensed clinician. They helped me improve my skills and become more confident in myself as a therapist.

5th shout out will go to Cheryl Boyland and kimberlee mcmurray for taking the time to supervise me while I was gaining clinical hours.

My 6th and final shout out will go to the professors at the University of North Texas at Dallas especially Dr. Baggerly who believed in me enough to accept me into the counseling program.

Website: https://www.counselingescaperoom.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/czyz-carter-8043bb92/