Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Taylor DeCarolis.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been drawn to people and to understanding what shapes their experiences. That interest deepened in my early psychology classes, where I began to see how much our patterns, past experiences, and even our brain’s wiring influence the way we think, feel, and relate to others. I also came to understand that insight is only one piece of the process. Real change comes from how that understanding is carried into everyday life.
That perspective guided how I built my practice. I founded DeCarolis Counseling Services to offer therapy that is both attuned and effective. My work integrates evidence-based approaches with a strong focus on relational and psychodynamic understanding. Sessions are highly engaged, with an emphasis on helping clients recognize patterns, explore underlying dynamics, and connect past experiences to what they are navigating in the present. Just as importantly, the work helps clients translate that insight into changes they can sustain in their daily lives.
As the practice evolved, I co-founded Beyond Plateaus Psychotherapy as a natural next step. The goal was to create a space where this level of care could extend beyond an individual caseload and where clinicians could be supported in developing their craft. It became less about expansion and more about building something that reflects the kind of therapy I believe in.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a completely linear process, but it has been very intentional.
Early on, one of the most important questions was where I was most effective as a clinician. I connect easily with people, which is something I value, but it was equally important to be thoughtful about where the work was creating real, lasting impact.
Over time, I found myself drawn to work that requires greater depth, often with clients who are highly capable across many areas of their lives and who also work through more complex emotional and relational challenges. This kind of work calls for clinical precision, curiosity, and a willingness to move beyond immediate solutions, and I recognized that this is where I am most impactful.
Building a practice that reflects this has been equally important. There has been a strong emphasis on being deliberate about how growth happens, who is brought into the practice, and the standards that are upheld. It has never been about volume. The priority has always been on quality and doing the work well.
Looking back, the process feels less about overcoming obstacles and more about refining over time. Paying attention to what is effective, making thoughtful adjustments, and continuing to shape both the clinical work and the practice into something that feels aligned and genuinely effective.
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?
DeCarolis Counseling Services is my North Carolina-based private practice. It is a boutique therapy practice focused on providing highly personalized, clinically grounded care for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and complex relationship dynamics. Many clients experience internal strain or disconnection that is not always visible on the outside.
What sets my work apart is the depth of engagement in the therapy process. I take an attuned and involved approach, integrating evidence-based treatments with psychodynamic and relational work. While symptom relief is important, the work extends beyond that. Clients are supported in understanding the patterns shaping their experiences so that the changes they make are both substantive and enduring.
Beyond Plateaus Psychotherapy was created to extend that same level of care within a collaborative group setting. It is built on strong clinical standards, thoughtful consultation, and a supportive professional environment, enabling us to serve a broader range of clients while also investing in clinician development.
Across both practices, what I am most proud of is the consistency in quality and intention. From the clinical work itself to the overall client experience, everything is designed to feel considered, grounded, and effective. Growth has always been approached with intention, with a focus on maintaining a high standard of care and a meaningful experience for both clients and clinicians.
With continued progress toward multi-state licensure, I look forward to thoughtfully expanding this work to serve clients across additional states in the near future.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One of the most important things I would say is to take your clinical development seriously from the start. It is easy to focus on building a caseload or growing quickly, but the quality of your work is what sustains you over time. Invest in your training, seek out strong supervision or consultation, and take the time to fully understand the work you are doing.
Be patient with the process. Confidence, clarity, and a refined clinical approach develop through experience, not urgency. The structure of your practice, the standards you uphold, and how you position your work will shape the direction of your career.
And finally, trust your instincts more than you think you should. Pay attention to what feels aligned, what feels off, and where you are most effective. That level of discernment becomes one of your most valuable tools as you grow.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies based on service type and provider, and we are happy to discuss options directly to ensure the best fit for each client’s needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.decaroliscounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondplateauspsychotherapy
- Other: https://www.beyondplateauspsychotherapy.com
