Born April 3, 1954, Les Carter spent the better part of his developmental years in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, with early stops in Texas, Kansas, and Germany. Growing up in the church, he was quite social and active in both church and school organizations. From the beginning, he was always interested in people issues. When he went to college it was only natural, then, for him to select Psychology as his major, with a minor emphasis in Religion. He graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas in 1976, then went on to University of North Texas to earn his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in counseling, finishing in 1980. In 1990, Baylor University honored him with the Outstanding Young Alumnus award.

For the two and one half years he worked on his doctoral courses, he interned at Life Counseling Center in Dallas where he learned to integrate principles of psychology with theology. This internship, under the tutelage of Dr. Connie Adler and Ross Banister proved invaluable in preparing him to communicate timely truths about emotional and relational issues.

In February 1980, he joined the Minirth-Meier Clinic (now the Minirth Clinic) in Richardson, Texas where he maintained an active counseling practice until the end of 2004, averaging over 1500 sessions per year. His years at the clinic opened the doors to many opportunities. Both Frank Minirth and Paul Meier had begun writing books related to depression, anxiety and the like, so through them, Les met his first publishers and began his writing career. His first solo effort was the acclaimed Good ‘n Angry. After writing other popular books such as Imperative People and The Prodigal Spouse, he teamed with Frank Minirth to write the best selling series of workbooks on anger and depression and forgiveness and worry which have sold into the hundreds of thousands, the best known being The Anger Workbook. In all he has authored or co-authored twenty books. Beginning in 1985 and extending for 10 years, Les was an integral part of the Minirth-Meier radio talk show that was heard in over 200 markets across America. Through the years he has spoken across America in many seminars to thousands and has built a reputation as one who can talk about penetrating concepts in ways that touch common people right where they live. Currently he conducts the popular Anger Workshop and he leads a workshop for businesses called Anger Management in the Workplace. Today he has established his own practice by jointly opening the Southlake Psychiatry and Counseling Clinic. It is located at 2485 E. Southlake Blvd., #220, in Southlake, Texas. The phone number there is 817-329-3300. The website is http://www.southlakepsych.org/

Things have not always been ideal for Les, though. At one point he almost died in a water skiing accident and he has undergone eight surgeries, mostly to repair orthopedic problems. Also, he has been divorced and has had to experience what it is like to be a high profile person who has been shown to be fallible. Regarding these matters, he comments: “I always prided myself on knowing truths that can help transform lives that are in peril, but it was only after having my own struggles that I can say that I know those same truths from the inside out. Having a near death experience and being forever labeled as a divorcee, I have been forced to get honest about my core beliefs and I am more determined than ever to show hurting individuals that setbacks can be the beginning of great growth.” Believing that there is no such thing as meaningless pain, he continues on in his counseling, writing, and speaking with an increased fervor to share healing truths to those in need.

Les Carter is now married to Jennifer, a superb musician, and they live in suburban Dallas, Texas. His daughter, Cara, is a graduate of Baylor University who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and his stepdaughter, Megan, is a student at Richardson High School. In his personal time, Les has a passion for barbeque cooking. He’ll make any cut of meat taste better than wonderful. He and Jennifer enjoy gardening and their back yard is their favorite hangout as they maintain their flower garden faithfully. Their favorite experience is sitting on the back porch early in the morning, sipping coffee and listening to classical guitar piped in over their stereo system.

“My desire in my personal and professional life,” says Les, “is to meet people at their point of need with the intention of being an embodiment of encouragement and grace. What a privilege it is now to use the power of the internet to touch lives. I want this site to be one that inspires others to think and determine how they can find wholeness even in the midst of and imperfect world. May God bless you as you seek to find His peace.”