Sameidra Carter: Guiding Young Offenders Through Therapy

Some of Maryland’s most vulnerable youth are receiving services that could help change the outcome of their lives—thanks to the efforts of Sameidra Carter MSW ’10.

Carter is the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) supervisor with the state of Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services. She was hired to develop intervention processes and procedures, and she trains detention center staff in DBT for treatment of young offenders.

Using cognitive therapy, DBT teaches skills for managing negative emotions and behaviors. It is the foundation of the Department of Juvenile Services’ unique Comprehensive Treatment Model for young people in juvenile detention while they await placement to other treatment facilities. This keeps them productive during what is considered “dead time,” Carter explained. 

“It feels great being a part of this program that offers young men therapy to address trauma as soon as possible,” she said. “Lengthy exposure to jail settings can be a painful experience for young people. Reducing the length of time spent doing nothing and removing exposure to more violence will put the youth on track to be motivated and encouraged to use DBT skills when they return to their communities.”

The foundation for Carter’s work was formed during her Dominican education, she says.

“I was first introduced to cognitive behavioral therapy during my master’s program,” Carter noted.

Dominican also prepared her for the social work doctoral program she is now enrolled in at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

“It’s not easy to get straight A’s at Howard, but I had the preparation and a master’s-level program that is on par with other top-notch universities,” she said.