Therapists for college students near Duke University

Freedom from emotional hijack is found in noticing, naming, and knowing. This can be the gift of psychotherapy. Congratulations on looking for a therapist and trying to figure out what will be best for you! It can seem like it requires endurance, when all you’re trying to do is get your mental health needs met. The good news is there are lots and lots of great therapy practices! And a practice or a therapist that’s a great fit for one person, doesn’t mean that it is for you! All that matters is what works for you. Whether you feel nervous, doubtful, unsure, excited, and/or anything else, let’s chat, when/if you’re ready. Just because we talk, doesn’t mean you have to start therapy!

I believe there is no true beginning or end to Healing, working on ourselves, or trying to have forward motion in our lives (but that it DOES get better!), so any entry point into counseling as a tool in those processes is the right one. /"This is heart work, and you can't think your way around this; you've gotta feel your way through it." / /"The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind."/ The therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance. I will ask you to face hard things in our work together, so I expect of myself that same call for transparency and authenticity- I do my best to live out Brene Brown's concept of "getting in the arena" with you. I also try to instill hope and light (I know I sure need it); we will also laugh! Healing requires both grit and softness. This work is such an honor, and it has become built into the fiber of my being. Please come as you are- I hope you can trust yourself to take the next step, no matter how many steps have already been taken or how many you feel have yet to be taken.

Cummings Brandenburg Counseling PLLC specializes in providing high-quality, identify-affirming counseling services to adults 18+ years. In addition to my NC license, I have an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) with The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows me to provide tele-therapy to clients in over 40 states. I have several years of experience working in university counseling center settings, including at UNC Charlotte, Davidson College, and the University of Miami. I pride myself on the passion with which I approach counseling and mental health. Having a strong social justice orientation, I am part of the Brave Step provider alliance and Psychology for All, which help reduce the barriers to seeking services. I work to individualize my approach based on client needs and put a lot of effort into building a trusting, safe connection. As a first-generation college student and cycle-breaker myself, I truly understand the struggles of adjusting to college life without much support. I am here to help people better understand themselves and build greater awareness about their relationship patterns and behaviors so as to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Hi! I am here to help you sort through all the things that are challenging right now. I provide a safe, virtual therapy space, where you can feel heard, valued, and supported. Share and learn about yourself at your own pace. I work with those struggling with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, shame, low mood, trouble with relationships, women's issues, addiction or other major life stress. I use a holistic approach that explores all parts of what makes you, you. Therapy is tailor-fitted to your needs. I currently have openings for evening, weekday appointments. Contact me in the way that feels most comfortable- call, text, or email. You can also check out my website to learn more about me.

Do you feel like you are never good enough and that nothing will get better? Do you feel like you are the only one struggling with intense emotions and that there is no one to help you figure them out? Are you struggling with how you look and/or feel about yourself? Do you think everyone else has their life together and you don't? Do you experience highly intense emotions that seem to scare other people away? Are you excessively drinking alcohol, excessively spending money, isolating yourself from others, having sex but immediately regretting it afterwards? Do you ever have shame surrounding how you feel? Do you feel marginalized or are you part of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you wanting something different and looking for an alternative approach to counseling? Have you been dissatisfied with counseling in your past or hesitant to try? Finding the right therapist for you can be an overwhelming and scary task. The fear of not knowing how a therapist will accept your story can sometimes hold us back from reaching out. I want you to know that I will accept you where you are now AND help you get to where you want to go. I find passion in helping break through barriers associated with mental health, addictions, and identities. I believe that in order to treat an individual, the therapist needs to look at the WHOLE person. I'm here to help you to understand your own mental health. Click on the website link to hear my own story and my colleagues stories. When you come to an EXPERT in this area, you will leave with information on how to understand these feelings and how to use skills to manage them. I will meet you where you CURRENTLY are and help you get where you want to go. You can find a safe haven when working with me. I hold the space for compassion, acceptance, and the belief in your ability to thrive as you learn to do the same for yourself. After having a session, wouldn’t it be nice to say “What’s next…” and not “What if…”

Being human can be tough! While experiencing the challenges that life may hold, I believe you deserve to be heard, understood, and accepted. I aim to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space for you to share, explore, heal, and make sense of your story and experiences. As we work together, you may identify aspects of your life that you would like to change or experience differently. We will work together with curiosity to create intentional and meaningful steps towards creating that change in your life. For me, it is a deep honor to be a part of your journey as we navigate life’s challenges. As someone who has been a client, I commend you for the courage and vulnerability it takes to begin looking for a counselor. You have made it this far with the resilience that resides within you, and I believe you deserve the opportunity to experience the benefits that counseling has to offer. As a counselor, I use an integrative approach that is collaborative and relationship-based, values and strengths-focused, and social justice-oriented. My approach is influenced by components of and includes teaching skills from Person-Centered, Acceptance and Commitment, Dialectical Behavioral, and Cognitive Behavioral therapies. Additionally, I practice from a lens that is trauma-informed and acknowledges the influence of systemic marginalization, intersectionality, and social injustices. Topics that I support adults in navigating include but are not limited to adjustment and stress management, LGBTQIA+ identities, identity development, issues related to young adulthood and attending college, career path exploration, interpersonal relationships, anxiety and depression, grief, trauma, shame, and self-compassion. Outside of my work, you might find me enjoying some time outside hiking or walking at the park, hanging out or cooking a meal with my chosen family and friends, playing the Nintendo Switch, laughing at memes or TikToks, or just catching up on tv shows/movies with my partner and our two cats.

School can be some of the most rewarding years of your life but they can also be overwhelming. Between classes, internships, work, relationships, family expectations, finances, and figuring out who you are and where you're headed, sometimes it's good to have some extra support. Therapy gives you a place to talk openly about what's going on, without judgment. Whether you're feeling anxious, stressed, burned out, stuck, lonely, or simply trying to make sense of a major life transition, you don't have to navigate it alone. I work with college and graduate students on concerns such as anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, identity exploration, gender identity, academic stress, life transitions, binge eating, and body image. Many of my clients are also learning how to manage life on their own for the first time and are discovering that no one ever really taught them how to handle the emotional side of money. As a Certified Financial Social Worker, I can help you develop a healthier relationship with money, spending, debt, budgeting, and financial decision-making. Together, we can explore both the practical and emotional aspects of financial wellness so you feel more confident and in control. My style is warm, supportive, and down-to-earth. I'll meet you where you are, help you build on your strengths, and offer practical tools along the way. If you're curious about working together, I'd be happy to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit.

Welcome! I strive to hold a safe and authentic space for my clients where they can feel supported. During my Masters program, I completed practicum and internship at Appalachian State Counseling and Psychological Services. In that time, I discovered my passion for working with college students, young adults, and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, grief, major life changes, and other mental health concerns. Creating a therapeutic relationship is vital to fostering a space of mental healing, and I strive to make that with my clients. I strive to hold a safe and authentic space for my clients where they can feel supported. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and I can provide support and encouragement to assist you in meeting your chosen goals and process your experiences without judgment. I look forward to hearing from you!

I practice via telehealth in NY, NC, WA, and TX. I specialize in working with adult men and women who may look fine on the outside, but inside you're struggling to get your own needs met, self-doubt, perfectionism, and shame. Gestalt Therapy goes beyond looking only at the cognitive, linear perspective of the person. It demands of the therapist an awareness of the body and how it manifests in the psyche. Through its focus on process rather than content, the patient gains an experiential awareness of how they do what they do and new choices emerge spontaneously. The radical focus on process in Gestalt creative therapy keeps the work alive and full of possibility for both the patient and for my work as a therapist. Melissa Bennett-Heinz obtained her master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University (Class of 2002) and is a graduate of Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy in New York City, NY. In addition to her background in Gestalt Therapy, she obtained her bachelor's and master’s degrees from the esteemed conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, in New York City, where she majored in Oboe Performance. Melissa completed cognitive behavioral studies under the tutelage of Dr. William Sanderson. She is a licensed clinical social worker in NY, WA, NC, and TX and has over twenty years of specialized training and experience in PTSD, childhood abuse, mood and anxiety disorders. Melissa brings her background as a classical musician and deep spirituality together in her unique approach in Gestalt's creative and experiential therapy.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Though my therapeutic approach may vary slightly from person to person, it is always my priority to provide a safe, comfortable, welcoming environment where you feel secure in navigating life’s many ups and downs. I believe that a trusting, authentic relationship between client and therapist is the key to progress, so you’ll find that I also show up to the therapy room with authenticity, compassion, acceptance, and sometimes a little humor. I enjoy taking a laid back, curious approach to therapy so I can work to more fully understand an individual’s unique lived experience.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am passionate about helping people heal and develop their connection to themselves and others in a holistic way. I believe that healing occurs when we address the whole person including emotional, mental, physical, social, and spiritual health. I value our ability to connect with our stories and integrate all aspects of ourselves (body, mind, and soul) to help us grow. I apply a collaborative approach to counseling and focus on creating a therapeutic relationship centered on trust and respect. My desire is that all of my clients feel safe and known. Clients of mine have learned to better regulate their emotions, develop a better sense of self, decrease and manage addictive behaviors, overcome disordered eating and heal from past trauma. My scope of practice includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-esteem, addictions, relational problems, and adjustment disorders.

Cat Salemi (they/them) is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate (LCMHCA) who provides counseling services to adults (18+) in North Carolina via telehealth. As an autistic therapist & ADHDer, Cat is especially passionate about helping other neurodivergent folks, and uses a non-pathologizing and neurodiversity-based approach. Cat is experienced in treating clients struggling with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, executive dysfunction, sensory sensitivities, and OCD, among other concerns. Cat identifies as nonbinary and is a proud part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They are kink-affirming, polyamorous-allied, use a Health At Every Size (HAES) informed approach, and are committed to anti-racist practice.

I specialize in working with anxiety disorders and OCD. My goal is to help you build confidence in handling anxious thoughts, reduce avoidance and reassurance seeking behaviors, and feel more in control instead of stuck. My approach is warm, person-centered, and strengths-based, using cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure-based work, and mindfulness strategies to reduce anxiety and OCD patterns over time. I offer virtual sessions across North Carolina. Feel free to reach out to see if we are a good fit! I'm excited to connect with you!

Hello! I am an LCMHC who has been in this field for a little over 20 years. Do you want to improve the quality of your life? Do you want to make long-lasting changes that improve areas of your life such as work and relationships? I empower clients to overcome the daily challenges of dealing with such issues as depression (or other mood disorders), anxiety, PTSD/Trauma, and grief. . I do believe in a holistic approach that focuses on the mind-body-spirit connection. I utilize various techniques that include mindfulness, helping you identify and address irrational thoughts, motivational interviewing and more. I work with clients to identify treatment goals at their 1st appointment, if possible and I also like to assign therapeutic "homework" since this helps clients practice and eventually acquire the skills they need to feel better about themselves and their lives. No matter the issue, I'm here to help. Seeking therapy is a brave thing to do and I will provide a safe space to help you heal and grow. In our sessions, I will provide empathy, active listening and humor to help you overcome what is troubling you. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We can all benefit from gaining insights, learning skills, and having “tune ups” along the way. If you’re feeling stuck, struggling with how you feel about yourself or in relationship with someone, experiencing unwanted or intrusive thoughts or memories from a past experience, ruminating on negative thoughts or beliefs, or feeling anxious or depressive symptoms, you don’t have to walk through it alone! Our therapists use various counseling approaches that include evidence based treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Because we are out of network, we can also get creative within our work with you. We’ll utilize appropriate techniques such as music or walk-and-talk therapy and can even take “field trips” with you if we deem it beneficial in your treatment (ie- restaurant outings, exposure therapy for certain phobias, home visits, etc.)

Do you struggle with feeling out of control - or, alternately, with working desperately hard to stay in control? Does the idea of losing or letting go of control feel terrifying and dangerous? Maybe you even swing between these extremes at times, and have no idea why. Trauma, stress, and challenging life experiences can show up in lots of different ways, with lots of different symptoms. I’ve worked with people who have many different kinds of presenting concerns or diagnoses, but who have similar struggles with control in one way or another. I help people who are confused by their emotional reactions to make sense of their feelings, and to learn how to cope with their stress in order to heal and grow. I love collaborating with clients to build a sense of safety and a strong working alliance, particularly with people who have experiences of relational trauma. Whether you are totally new to counseling, or have been in therapy for years, I want to work with you during this part of your story.