“Trust is earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.” - Brené Brown
My name is Grace Charlton and I’ve been providing therapy services since 2017. So often I hear “I know why things are difficult for me, but I still can’t figure out how to feel better”. I hear you! Connecting dots and thinking through things cognitively can certainly help us progress in our healing journey, but oftentimes we can still feel stuck.
In order for things to move through us, we have to acknowledge our physical experience of our emotions which then allows us to reconnect with ourselves internally. My practice tends to be a combination of talking through parts of your life and making sense of things, and also turning inward toward our emotions, tending them so they can soften and give you more space to feel grounded. This part of the work is somatic-focused.
My therapeutic approach is client-centered, nurturing, and genuine. This means that you are in the driver’s seat and I’m here to be your co-pilot in navigating your internal and external world. My role is not to tell you how to live your life, but rather to create enough space for you to connect with yourself and live in a way that feels aligned.
When I’m not in the therapist chair, I love to spend time in places where I find peace and connection. This includes playing with my rescue dogs, enjoying the company of friends around a table of good food, listening to live music, and getting creative through artistic expression.
I truly enjoy meeting and getting to know new clients, and having the privilege of being a small part in the journey of their commitment to themselves - let’s do this!
Grace Charlton, LPCC #13056 (she/her)
Owner and Clinician
My areas of clinical dedication include (see below for my training and education):
PTSD, Complex-PTSD, and trauma-focused healing (childhood, adulthood, sexual/physical/emotional)
Anxiety and panic (including around life stressors/changes)
Sex and intimacy with self and others
Relationships (romantic, familial, friendships)
Chronic health conditions with a specific focus on womxn’s health: managing Vaginismus, PCOS, Endometriosis, chronic pain etc.
Infidelity
Body image and diet culture work (HAES lens)
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Education
I graduated with my BA from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore . I majored in Psychology and minored in Forensics, along with spending time in the research and community service spaces.
I graduated with my MA from The University of San Diego. My degree is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and my graduate program included two years of coursework, and a year of practicum experience.
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Training and Licensing
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in CA, #13056.
I have received advanced training in PTSD assessment and treatment, couples therapy, trauma-informed care, and serving LGBTQ+ populations.
Remaining up to date with my continued learning is quintessential to offering the highest quality of care to my clients. It is important to me to utilize evidence-based practices. I am trained in the following modalities. For more information, follow the links below:
Internal Family Systems
Level 1 through IFS Institute: 90 training hours
Level 2 through IFS Institute: 32 training hours
IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out) IFS Couples Modality Training: 72 training hours
https://www.toniherbineblank.com/index.html
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)
Externship: 24 training hours
Core Skills: 48 training hours
https://iceeft.com/what-is-eft/
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
20 hours instructional material, 20 hours supervised practicum, and 10 hours consultation.
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Experience
My clinical experience has been primarily in non-profit spaces.
I have worked in residential and outpatient settings with a wide range in severity of symptoms.
I have served veterans/active-duty service members and their families, along with civilians, adults, and young people, ranging from 10-75.
I have experience with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD, suicidal ideation and behaviors, gender dysphoria and more.
I love working with any and all couples and the complexities of attachment and intimacy. My relational work is inclusive and includes working with non-cishet couples, non-monogamous relationships, and all variations of what an intimate/romantic relationship may look like to you.
*Open Chair is LGBTQIA+ affirming, and welcomes all people and all of the identities they hold, including; race, culture, ethnicity, ability level, body shape/size, neurodiversity, education, income, occupation, immigration status, and any other important parts of you. All Open Chair clinicians are ND affirming and work from an anti-oppressive lens.