Dr. KC Charette
Licensed Psychologist
Specializations
Dr. Charette provides individual, couples, family and group therapy and has years of clinical experience treating a range of psychological, relational and behavioral health concerns for adolescents (teens & up) and adults.
- Life transitions
- Adjustment to major health/medical changes
- Adjustment to pregnancy & parenthood (perinatal depression/anxiety/OCD)
- Infertility
- Career counseling & coping with job stress
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Self-exploration and personal growth
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Building self-esteem
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Maintaining recovery from substance use
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Exploring LGBTQ feelings
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Coping with events in the news and politics
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Obsessive thoughts that won't seem to go away
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Coping with divorce proceedings
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Body-image concerns
Areas that Dr. Charette has helped clients in:
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Healing from a recent loss or trauma
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Desire to heal from a trauma in the past or from childhood
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Grief from loss of a loved one and complicated grief
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Anxious feelings that won't go away
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Self-critical thinking that's interfering with enjoying life
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Feeling a lack of contentment with how life is going
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Feeling stuck with important life decisions
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Recurrent sad thoughts that won't go away
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Healing from a break-up or betrayal by a partner, family member or friend
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Difficulties making relationships work
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Feeling stuck in a relationship
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Challenging family dynamics and exploring early life issues
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, OCD & Personality Concerns
Prenatal, Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health
Mood Disorders are concerns such as depression and bipolar disorder. Anxiety disorders are concerns such as general anxiety, OCD, PTSD and panic disorder.
Dr. Charette has specialized training & experience in working with individuals that have a mood or anxiety disorder. Following her pre-doctoral training, she was selected to complete a highly-competitive residency in mood, disorders, anxiety disorders & trauma, in which she gained specialized experience in working with patients with depression, general anxiety, OCD, PTSD and panic disorder. She also understands the impact that stress from anxiety and/or depression can place on a relationship and provides therapy for couples and families.
In addition to her private practice experience, she has previously worked within a hospital setting and understands the unique difficulties in coping with psychological concerns, in addition to medical concerns, including chronic and terminal illnesses. She has specific knowledge in supporting parents through coping with the unique challenges of having a baby in the NICU or a child in the PICU.
She is certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy, a cognitive behavioral therapy treatment.
Grief and Bereavement
The loss of someone important in your life is unlike any other experience. The experience of loss is unique to each person and the experience of grief that follows is also unique to each person. Dr. Charette understands these nuances and will help you navigate your specific experience with support and compassion.
Dr. Charette spent more then half a decade working within hospital settings, helping patients cope with their own terminal health concerns and helping their family members adjust, as well. She has years of experience in helping individuals who have lost a a pregnancy, an infant, child, spouse, their parent(s), grand-parent(s), or a friend and understands how each of these losses are unique and require different types of trauma processing.
Dr. Charette also has combined her specialized training in Women's Mental Health with bereavement and runs a group for Mom's who have lost their own Mother.
The term "perinatal" is the time-frame during pregnancy and the years following after giving birth. Although the term, "postpartum depression" is most commonly used, there are actually a spectrum of mental health concerns that can affect women during pregnancy and postpartum:
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Perinatal Depression
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Perinatal Anxiety
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Perinatal Panic Disorder
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Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Perinatal Bipolar Disorder
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Postpartum Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Perinatal Psychosis (this is an acute emergency)
The "Baby Blues" refers to feelings that may arise after having a baby such as feeling irritable, worried, feeling happy one moment and then crying the next, fatigue and forgetfulness. The experience of a perinatal mental health concern feels more intense and lasts longer than the feelings of Baby Blues.
Screening and early therapeutic intervention can protect the well-being of the mother, baby and the entire family. Dr. Charette has years of specialized training & experience in working with women at all points in their journey to become pregnant, during pregnancy & postpartum. Prior to starting her own practice, she worked within a Women’s Primary Care Clinic and is experienced in collaborating on your care with your OBGYN, midwife and/or psychiatrist (as needed). She understands the unique needs of families who have a child in the NICU or PICU and will work collaboratively with you to meet at time that is most convenient. Dr. Charette uses tele-health to work with women on bed rest.
Dr. Charette is certified by Postpartum Support International (PSI) in Perinatal Mental Health, which is the highest level of certification for a therapist in this field of work. She is a Coordinator for PSI for Palm Beach and Broward Counties and is familiar with a range of services (for example: Mommy & Me's, lactation consultants, pediatricians, child-care) for families within these counties. Dr. Charette sits on the Board for the Florida Chapter of PSI.
For more information
on PSI please click here:
The Journey to Parenthood:
Wanting to have a child can be one of the most intense desires that a person experiences. Individuals who want to have a child but are experiencing difficulties becoming pregnant and coping with the process of infertility treatments may feel alone, frustrated, ashamed or experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. When faced with a significant stressor, therapy may be a helpful outlet to help cope with these feelings and reduce stress.
Dr. Charette creates an environment where clients feel safe and empowered to cope with the uncertainty and challenges that can come with the journey of getting pregnant and carrying a child. Additional concerns related to starting a family and the journey of pregnancy, such as miscarriage and OBGYN-procedures are part of her treatment experience. She will help you cope with this difficult time and learn healthy, stress-reducing techniques.