Carole Cullen LMFT shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Carole, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, my biggest joy comes from watching my kids grow into such incredible people. My son is 19 and heading into his sophomore year of college. He’s making friends, working hard, earning great grades, and showing the world what a kind, intelligent young man he is. My daughter is 16 and becoming a caring, funny, and insightful young woman. She has a wonderful group of friends, juggles a part-time job with volunteering, and is thriving in her school’s animal science program. Seeing each of them find their passions and grow into themselves is such a gift.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Carole Cullen, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Certified Gottman Couples Therapist, and Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist. I’m the owner of My-Therapist, Inc., a private practice based in Wake Forest, NC, serving clients across North Carolina and Georgia. We specialize in helping couples and individuals navigate relationship challenges and build deeper emotional connections using research-backed approaches like the Gottman Method, EFT, and EMDR.
What makes our work special is that we don’t just address surface-level problems — we help people get to the heart of their relationship patterns so they can heal, grow, and create lasting change. I became a therapist because I know firsthand how much difference the right support can make during life’s hardest moments. Today, I’m honored to lead a team that shares that same passion. Right now, I’m especially excited about our upcoming couples workshops, therapy intensives, and training programs for new therapists, which combine neuroscience, emotional connection, and practical tools in a way that’s both transformative and accessible.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the most about work. He was an entrepreneur who spent his life building and running businesses, starting from the time he worked in his own parents’ shops. My grandparents were immigrants who came to this country with nothing and created small businesses they eventually shared with my father and his siblings. From him, I learned the value of hard work, financial wisdom, and, above all, integrity. To this day, he remains my top advisor — right alongside my husband — and I’m grateful to still be able to turn to both of them for guidance and perspective.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In December 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer — the scariest time of my life. I went through multiple surgeries and treatments, with more still ahead. During that season, I had to step back from my business to focus on my health, and in the process, I lost some valuable team members. My business was struggling, and I wasn’t sure what the right path forward was while I was navigating so much personally.
But with the unwavering strength and support of my husband, Chris, my family, my friends, and my incredible team, I found the courage to keep going. That experience tested me in ways I could never have imagined, but it also showed me the depth of the love and loyalty around me. Today, both I and my business are stronger than ever, and I’m profoundly grateful for the people who stood by me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my husband, Chris, of 21 years. He is my strength, my support, and my best friend. He makes me a better person and teaches our children , through both his actions and his words, about faith, love, and compassion. He’s my biggest supporter and my constant source of strength. I admire him for his unwavering dedication to me, our family, his work, and his friendships. He is loyal, reliable, and always puts others first, often in ways that no one else even sees. His quiet integrity inspires me every single day.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I was absolutely born to be a therapist. After college, I started out in the refining and oil industry doing analytics, a stable job, but not my passion. Even as a young person, I was drawn to helping people navigate their relationships, which is why I studied psychology in college.
After graduation, a friend in New York told me about their graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy. I sat in on one class and instantly fell in love with the work. Not long after, I left my analytics job, gave up half my salary, and went back to school and I’ve never looked back.
Today, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love guiding couples toward deeper connection, teaching and mentoring new therapists, and growing my business so we can help as many people as possible. Changing lives for the better isn’t just my career — it’s my calling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mytherapistnc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytherapistnc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolecullenlmft
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolecullenlmft
Image Credits
Nicole Decarlo Fusan photography
