Meet Tamika Carter of Advantage Public Institute

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Carter.

Hi Tamika, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in Compton, raised in Orange County, and braised in Oklahoma I was heavily influenced by my entrepreneurial grandmother to learn, mentor, teach, and serve. I studied Psychology and Sociology-Criminal Justice in undergrad. During my last 2 years I was a psychology student research assistant and began working in education with majority Latin and Black communities. As a former juvenile delinquent I was shaking off the residue of a few past decisions while raising 2 daughters when I finished my BA with honors. I began my career working for a small business owned by a Black woman (she was both understanding of my past and family situation). Over the course of the next 5 years she incubated and launched at least 3 other momprenuers, myself included. Upon completing my Masters and obtaining counseling licensure I planned to be a School Counselor, but after facing various challenges, I chose to start a company that serviced schools instead, I was 25 when I started ACR360 a Joint Commission Accredited Outpatient Behavioral Health Facility, The rest is mostly history. From ACR’s heavy charitable work I decided to found a non-profit, API with a focus on research and girls empowerment. I then moved back to California and continued this work. Expending beyond the title “Counselor” I speak, consult, research, train, and do whatever it takes to ‘make sense of mental health”. Being back home has been such a gift personally and professionally. California not only reminds me of my girlhood in ways that impact my work, but is also home to vibrant and diverse communities committed to mental health and education.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many healers, trauma has been a thread woven throughout my journey.
I was intellectually gifted but socially awkward, graduating high school just after turning 16 as a delinquent and survivor of sexual assault. Those early experiences made social life rocky, but they also pushed me toward healing, wisdom, and self-awareness. While raising an infant and a toddler during college, I relied on faith, determination, strategy, and sacrifice—and still graduated on time with honors.
Being a young Black woman navigating marriage, motherhood, and entrepreneurship in the Midwest was not easy. It required me to be sweet, smart, and savvy, even in the midst of sadness and disappointment. When I later moved to California, just as I had my children settled in school and my business established, the pandemic hit—and shortly after, I went through a divorce. That season was particularly tough, but it also sharpened my resilience and strengthened my commitment to empowering girls and women.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is delivered through two primary vehicles: a private practice and a nonprofit. In my private practice, I provide treatment for youth and adults addressing mental health, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. My extensive experience with K–12 populations has made me a highly effective adolescent counselor, supporting clients in overcoming trauma, depression, anxiety, and school-related emotional and behavioral challenges. I also speak, train, and consult with educators, counselors, and law enforcement professionals.
Through API, my nonprofit, we “make sense of mental health” by delivering both B2C and B2B services. Our B2C services include early screening, referral, and brief counseling interventions. On the B2B side, we provide program research and development for schools, counties, and impact-driven organizations. Our work includes conducting needs and capacity studies and helping establish wellness practices and resources for school, government and impact driven organizations. By equipping professionals with tools and strategies, we strengthen their ability to improve consumer outcomes.
Closest to my heart is my girls’ program, CLASS® Confidence, Leadership, Academics, and Social Skills.. CLASS, is a safe space for girls who feel marginalized by social class, race, culture, and life experiences. I have counseled or mentored over 500 young ladies since 2005. We empower girls to embrace their unique identities and to pursue STEAM interests and non-traditionally female career paths, I enjoy serving as an advocate for many issues that affect women and girls in the mental health, education, and the justice systems.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am not big into luck. I do believe God has orchestrated occurrences in the Universe that have worked in my favor. For that I am grateful. I got in trouble as a teen; the young female probation officer encouraged me to lean into my 4.0 GPA and away from crime. Ten years later I was operating a Juvenile Probation Counseling program, when she contacted me sharing that she was now the Probation Director and wanted to partner. She referred the girls who everyone had given up on to my practice. We saved some lives. So I just see it as returning the gifts that God gave me.

Pricing:

• MH/SA Brief Screening – $189
• Counseling Check-In – $249
• 3 Session Package – $445
• Consultation (Individual) – $100
• Consultation (Business) – $150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.apiok.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadvantagecounselor; https://www.instagram.com/girlsncal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theadvantagecounselor
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamika-carter02/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theadvantagecounselor?si=W2gEzCVWcGFWtWef
• Other: https://linktr.ee/theadvantagecounselor

Image Credits
Archie Howard – ashotthat
Jamal Wiggins –