Episode 78: Jill Carlton, MS, LCMHC, LPC-SC, NCC

Jill Carlton of Greensboro, NC, isn’t bashful about expressing her love for people and the black culture.  Originally from the foothills of North Carolina, Jill is the youngest of six siblings.  She is an alumnus of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities, North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro and Livingstone College, which is located in Salisbury, NC.  At Livingstone College, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and at NC A&T, she received her Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Resource Agency Counseling.  Her additional leadership experience involves Church Leadership and international missionary work.  

     Jill is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)- NC and Licensed Professional Counselor-SC and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).  She received a Reducing Racial Disparities in Healthcare Certificate from Harvard University Online.  Utilizing her education and experiences, Jill founded Jill Carlton Counseling Services, a privately owned and operated counseling [practice that focuses on assisting her clients build their inner strengths, through spiritual counseling, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy utilizing a holistic approach.  She works on two counseling platforms: Headway and Sondermind.  These platforms allow Jill to serve clients throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.

More than anything else, Jill shares that God has impacted her career as a therapist.  “While at Livingstone College, I started out as a Biology major, but Chemistry told me “no”.  I knew I wanted to obtain a bachelor’s degree at the very least.  The holy spirit directed me to speak with Dr. Robert MacKinnon in the Psychology department, who was my mentor and advisor.  He told me I could start right into the Psychology major based on my academic accomplishments.  He told me to work and go to school so that after I finish school, I would be in a good position to succeed,” she says.  After Livingstone, Jill would set her sights on obtaining her master’s degree.  She attended NC A&T and was even able to land a paid internship while in school.  The advice she received from her mentor continued to pay dividends in her life.

Life has come with a few ups and downs for Jill.  To be honest, those challenges have helped to make her who she is.  “I have been emotionally and physically abused, as well as sexually abused.  I was part of a marriage that didn’t work.  What I had to realize was that I had to love myself first.  Having a foundation in a church home at Love and Faith Christian Fellowship helped me in more ways than I ever could have imagined.  I felt right at home there.  I became involved in the church, which allowed me to be more than a member.  I am in leadership and serve as a Deaconess. I am also one of the leaders for our greeters, and I sing in the Mass Choir.  Additionally, I have worked in the prison ministry, the hug and hot soup ministry, and the Healing and Restoration ministry.    Being a part of Love and Faith has blessed me.  Pastor John Goins and Bishop Michael Thomas are doing a great job of leading God’s people.  Knowing that people accept me for who I am and still love me regardless,” Jill shares.    

  Looking ahead, Jill is working on obtaining additional licenses and certifications.  She has also set her sights on working outside of North Carolina and South Carolina.  More than anything, Jill is excited about continuing the work that God has called her to do.  “I want to continue to work to break down the stigmas about therapy and mental health in the black and brown communities.  I am called to be the salt and light of the world.  Being a therapist and aligning my work from a spiritual perspective is why I am here,” Jill says.  

 

Jill Carlton, MS, LCMHC, LPC-SC, NCC

www.jillcarltonlcmhc.com

 

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