Therapists for college students near Durham, NC

Hey, take a seat, get comfy! Life throws a lot at us, and it can feel like an uphill battle. So, let me start with this - no matter how messy it may seem, I'm here to listen. It can sometimes feel that society, one’s generation, or our own community has not prioritized our emotional wellbeing. This is our time to navigate the potentially spooky world of vulnerability in a nonjudgmental space. Whether it means we're going to dive into some anxious or depressive thoughts and feelings, explore life transitions you’re going through, or hold space for processing any trauma, this is where we work as a team to navigate these challenges. I provide both virtual and in-person sessions for individuals. I use an approach that works to bridge action steps with emotional attunement. With CBT, Solution-focused techniques, and Polyvagal Theory, I am here to help you discover what path you want to walk. If you find yourself seated across from me, I am a listener, an advocate, and a collaborator. If you can put up with the occasional pun or dad joke, I hope to hear from you! Here at Born to Bend Mental Health & Wellness, PLLC, we offer a safe, nonjudgmental environment. LGBTQ individuals, persons of color, and others marginalized by society are welcome.

You deserve to live a life that makes you feel excited to wake up every morning. It's time to tell anxiety, stress, angst, fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem that it's time to kick rocks. If you are riddled with anxiety due to biological or environmental causes, or if you have experienced significant traumatic events, I am here to help you. The stress of the past plus the fast paced nature of today's society makes navigating issues relating to your family, job, school, health, etc. completely overwhelming. This does not have to be the case. It's time to let go of the grip that emotional and psychological pain has on you. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of North Carolina with 6+ years experience as a mental health therapist and 10+ years experience working in the mental health field. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and Mindfulness based strategies to reduce elevated states of stress. If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, low confidence, panic symptoms, social anxiety, relationship issues, or trauma related symptoms you are not alone in this. I believe in creating an environment that is safe, non-judgmental, and nurturing.

Graceful Insight Counseling & Consulting, PLLC was created to provide a space that is a safe with no judgement. Life transitions can be difficult and figuring out what the best decision is for you may seem monumental. Graceful Insight Counseling & Consulting is here to walk with you on your journey.

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As a Therapist, I help people who want to find their voice, feel understood, and gain insight about themselves but who may also fear change, being seen, losing themselves, or maybe have difficulty letting go of instilled habits and beliefs. Who do I help? My clinical experience includes working with clients who present or experience anxiety, depression, negative body acceptance/image, low self-esteem, disordered eating, intuitive eating challenges, trauma (sexual, emotional, physical), codependency, chronic illness, autoimmune diseases, adjustment challenges, confusion during identity exploration and development, sensory issues, racial tension, those wanting to recover from narcissistic and psychopathic abuse, and those wanting to increase their overall physical and mental well-being. I am neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQIA-affirming, and culturally competent and sensitive. Sound like you? Let me help! - Lisa A. Barella, MS, LCMHCA, NCC

As a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 17 years of extensive experience in healthcare, I have honed my skills across a spectrum of clinical settings, encompassing acute and maternal inpatient care, as well as outpatient care. My commitment lies in delivering comprehensive and compassionate mental health services to patients spanning all age groups, addressing a diverse range of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and ADHD. My approach centers on a patient-centric model, where I prioritize thorough assessment, patient education, and the development of tailored treatment plans. By fostering a collaborative relationship with each individual, I strive to empower patients to actively participate in their mental health journey, ultimately aiming for enhanced wellbeing and quality of life. Driven by a passion for mental health advocacy and a dedication to evidence-based practice, I continuously seek opportunities for professional growth and remain steadfast in staying abreast of emerging trends and innovations in the field. My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve, fostering resilience, healing, and hope.

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Hi there! My name is Sienna, and I am an LCMHCA in NC. I graduated from East Carolina University in 2025 with a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with an emphasis in addiction. I also graduated from Appalachian State in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, concentrating in Human Services. I believe therapy is a space where you can come exactly as you are. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all mentality, meaning each session is tailored specifically to you. Most of my experience comes from working with the neurodivergent community as well as students and young adults. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, OCD, interpersonal conflict, substance use, trauma, and PTSD. I also use an eclectic approach that is person-centered and incorporates ACT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness. Currently I am seeing clients via telehealth in NC.

Life can feel like a constant push toward the next achievement, leaving you stuck in self-doubt, uncertainty, or the pressure to have it all figured out. Maybe you're questioning your path, struggling with relationships, or trying to break free from old patterns that no longer serve you. If your inner critic won’t quiet down or you feel overwhelmed by anxiety and stress, you don’t have to navigate it alone. The experiences we carry from childhood shape how we navigate relationships, cope with challenges, and see ourselves. Past wounds can create patterns that feel hard to break, but change is possible. If you feel stuck in cycles of self-doubt, struggling to set boundaries, or weighed down by family expectations, therapy can support you in discovering your true self and creating healthier patterns. I offer a space to explore these challenges, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop a stronger connection to yourself. I specialize in a psychodynamic approach with an attachment lens, helping you unpack how past experiences influence your present. Using a trauma-informed and holistic framework, I address the whole person—mind, body, and emotions. I also can incorporate brainspotting, a nontraditional but powerful tool that helps process trauma and emotional distress beyond talk therapy. Additionally, I support those adjusting to life with cancer or chronic illness, helping you navigate the emotional weight of a diagnosis, changes in identity, and the uncertainty that comes with it. My style is warm, approachable, and real. Therapy should be a place where you feel safe to be yourself—whether you’re laughing, crying, or just figuring things out. Let’s work together to build confidence, clarity, and a life that feels more like yours.

Whether you are going through grief, healing from trauma, struggling with relationship issues or need assistance navigating life’s challenges and changes, I am here to help you achieve the clarity, confidence, and momentum necessary to get from where you are to where you want to be. Together, we will work to identify and address the issues and obstacles keeping you from moving forward and getting what you want out of your life. Our sessions will help you cope more effectively with challenging situations and adjust more capably to changing circumstances using practical strategies that improve your symptoms and well-being. I work with adults and young adults from diverse backgrounds experiencing a wide variety of presenting concerns including: trauma, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, OCD, ADHD, military/veterans issues, and change of life events. I also have extensive experience coaching clients to reach professional, financial, educational and athletic performance goals. My goal is to guide and support you towards empowerment, growth, and healing. My approach to therapy is tailored to each individual client. I often incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy into sessions. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with specialized training in EMDR, an evidence-based approach that helps people process unresolved trauma in more adaptive ways. EMDR can be used to treat a multitude of presenting issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and phobias.

Melissa Sisco, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with 18 years of clinical experience. She is best known for her expertise in trauma recovery, aggression management, healthy sexuality, and systems of identity. She has a special interest in providing services for first responders and people with exposure to systems of aggression (sexual oppression, domestic violence, war, civil unrest) as well as communities of control (gangs, cults, unhealthy families). Clinically, Dr. Sisco operates primarily from a cognitive behavioral framework; however, she may shift strategies if an alternate modality is identified by clinical trials as the more effective treatment corresponding to a given diagnosis. Primary skillsets include: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness-based Interventions, Guided Self-Hypnosis Training, Systematic Desensitization Therapy, Harm Reduction, and Brief Strategic Family Systems Therapy (BSFT), Insight-Oriented Therapy, and Reality Therapy. She has also engaged in mentorship/coaching, positive psychology, play therapy, and animal assisted therapeutic services. When working with Dr. Sisco, you will always be greeted with a sincere warmth and concern for your well-being. She “shoots from the hip” in a nonjudgmental way to help embrace personal truths and build the glory after the challenge. You will also notice that she can switch gears to hear you in the moment when a quiet presence is needed and help guide you towards answers when the time is right to address the problems. She will honor and respect your time schedule and your definition of clinical goals. She will accept you as you are and help you see the wonder in yourself while learning to navigate the struggles that we all face. Dr. Sisco’s experience and training has led her to four fundamental beliefs about all individuals: (1) We all have basic human drives, private desires, insecurities, ascribed identity, and an ongoing personal narrative that drive our interaction with the world. (2) Seemingly unimportant decisions lead to habits which cascade into life-changing results. (3) We all experience jilting traumas that alter us in some fashion. (4) We can all be well, whole people who love, are loved, and add value to the world. Specialties Dr. Sisco provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as clinical supervision. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of clinical populations, such as: first responders, healthcare workers, those in forensic settings, trauma survivors, sexual and violent offenders, those in substance abuse recovery, individuals experiencing severe mental illness, adults and children on the Autism Spectrum, adults and children diagnosed with Intellectual Developmental Disorders (IDD), parents of troubled children and teens, refugees, military Veterans, individuals with gang involvement, survivors of war crimes, and marginalized communities. Dr. Sisco’s skillset includes: assessment, report writing, case management, therapeutic sessions, administration, supervision, program development and evaluation, empirical standardization and manual development and implementation, crisis response, and community repair. She specializes in treating Mood Disorders (Depressive Disorders, Bipolar Disorder), Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI), trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorder and Specific Phobias, anger and aggression, relationship problems, issues related to sexuality, gender transition and identity, addictions, stress and adjustment, personality disorders, weight loss, and smoking cessation, evaluation for bariatric surgery, and transplant preparation. Education and Training Dr. Sisco graduated in 2011 with a joint PhD in Clinical Psychology and Psychology, Policy, and Law with a minor specialty in Program Evaluation and Research Methodology from the University of Arizona. During this time, she participated in teaching, grant writing, providing research and statistical support, engaging in case review of civil and criminal cases regarding undue influence, working in clinical settings and supervising others in clinical settings. In addition, she aided in designing and implementing the first restorative justice program in the US, addressing date rapes on campus with Dr. Mary P. Koss of the R.E.S.T.O.R.E. project. She designed modified treatment curriculums for special populations of sex offenders (brain injured and developmentally delayed as well as female sex offenders) that were implemented in the Arizona Department of Corrections in 2013. She was also an integral part of building one of the first therapeutic mentorship programs designed to service foster-care youth with behavioral challenges with Dr. Julie Feldman. She worked most closely with her major advisor, Dr. Judith Becker, best known for her work on the Jeffrey Dahmer and Green River Killer cases. In her spare time, Dr. Sisco delighted in rehabilitating aggressive animals, predominantly horses and dogs, to provide hope for their rehoming. Dr. Sisco was selected for predoctoral internship at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Trauma-Specific Track. During her internship, she specialized in trauma-response care in emergency medical settings, outreach to high-risk, marginalized urban youth and their families during and after violence exposure, and identifying susceptibility to recruitment in terroristic and gang-related organizations due to community trauma. During her off time, she began training as a boxer and fell back into her roots of youth mentorship due to the engagement she experienced while training. She built a mentorship program for youth in crisis, BoutIt Mentorship program, specifically designed and implemented for youth housed in a crisis shelter. Participants in the program learned how to cope effectively with intensive trauma, aggression, and mental health diagnoses. In her work as a clinical consultant, Dr. Sisco provided education to the International Court of Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the psychology of serial sexual assault during wartime. Dr. Sisco served as a professor at Roosevelt University for many years, as well as a forensic adjunct at the Chicago Professional School of Psychology. It was at this point that she incorporated Animal Assisted Therapy into her services; she delighted in seeing her clients and students find peace and release from being in the presence of her therapy dog. In 2017, Dr. Sisco returned to North Carolina, where she worked as a senior psychologist at Broughton State Hospital in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. While there, she worked with people who suffered with severe, debilitating mental illness and aided in a state shift to positive psychology and universal acknowledgements of strengths as opposed to illness. Dr. Sisco has published predominantly regarding systems of intimacy and violence. She has worked with many different populations including: persons struggling with addictions, veterans, inmates, international tribunals of war, psychiatric inpatients, families with marital and/or parenting concerns, sexual and domestic violence aggressors and victims, at risk youth, gangs, homeless, refugees, exonerees from capital cases, youth on the autism spectrum, people with severely and profound developmental delay, people with serious mental illness, people classified as serious violent predators, First Responders, police de-escalation teams, survivors of homicide/suicide of a loved one, and, of course, students and community members struggling with daily stressors. Additional Trainings Dr. Sisco has extensive training in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Multicultural Sensitivity, and Crisis Intervention Training. She is also well-versed in a variety of neuropsychological assessment batteries and engages in report writing for forensic and clinical purposes. Professional Membership American Psychological Association North Carolina Psychological Association National Register of Health Service Psychologists

Helping ADHD brains thrive - Trauma recovery with EMDR - LGBTQ+ affirming. You’ve been doing your best to keep it together, but your brain won’t slow down, the past still hits hard, or you’re tired of trying to explain your identity. If you feel scattered, stuck, or just plain exhausted—you're not alone. I help people like you find clarity, healing, and practical tools to move forward. I blend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused strategies, and EMDR (when it’s a good fit) to help you create real change. We’ll challenge old patterns, take practical steps forward, and when appropriate, use EMDR to gently reprocess painful memories and shift the beliefs that keep you stuck. Therapy with me is collaborative, down-to-earth, and supportive—expect compassion, real talk, and plenty of space for laughter along the way. You don’t have to do this alone! If you’re ready to feel more grounded, focused, or just more you, let’s talk. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we’re a good fit. You can reach out by phone or email—whatever feels easiest. I’m here when you’re ready.

Patrick Balsley is a North Carolina Addiction Specialists Professional Practice Board Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Structured Family Recovery® Counselor who has dedicated his life to serving individuals and families struggling with addiction.

Do you often find yourself comparing yourself to those around you, wondering how they all seem to have it all figured out while you are just trying to hold it together? You are stressed, on edge, and wondering if anything will ever change. You may find yourself struggling to enjoy things in life, maybe even pulling back from friends and family because they may not understand. You are ready to make a change, to find balance, to be you – but you have no idea where to begin. Imagine what it would be like to feel like you aren’t just trying to make it through the day, but are actively participating in your life. You could learn to quiet your self-doubt and create space for self-compassion and curiosity. You could begin to understand your needs and how to respond, learning to focus your energy on the things that matter to you. My approach begins with meeting you where you are and developing a genuine and trusting relationship. Together, we will work to find tools that help you better manage your daily stressors so that you can feel safe in exploring, understanding, healing, and growing. If this resonates with you, schedule a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.

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As a recent graduate, I am aware of the difficulties that come with being a college student. It is very important that you have someone who can be a listening ear and guidance through struggles. I believe that it is necessary for the counseling relationship to be empathetic, safe, and non-judgmental. I aim to provide a safe and supportive space to collaborate and work at your own pace to reach goals. I hope to empower my clients through heightening self-confidence and utilizing strengths as well as enhancing one’s accountability for behaviors. Through the counseling relationship, we can facilitate change.

At Transforming Through Therapy, we believe healing happens through both science and connection. Our clinicians use evidence-based treatments grounded in trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral strategies, relational therapy, and addiction-informed interventions. But therapy here is never rigid or one-size-fits-all. We tailor sessions to your nervous system, your goals, and your lived experience. You can expect: A psychologically safe, non-judgmental environment Collaborative goal-setting Practical tools alongside deeper insight Honest, compassionate dialogue Care that respects your autonomy and pace ​This is therapy that supports transformation — not just symptom management.

I approach the therapeutic process with the belief that therapy is simply a human helping a human. By offering an objective and judgement free setting, my hope is to provide a space that offers freedom to share and feel without hesitation. I am a masters-level clinician; I earned a master of science degree in counseling and psychology from Troy University in 2016. I'm a client centered counselor with a passion to help empower individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and tools to work through their presenting problems. I aim to build a therapeutic alliance with my clients and create a safe, judgment-free atmosphere with the hope that they are able to openly explore their thoughts and feelings. I believe in the power of knowledge and it's ability to impact healing and frequently apply psychoeducation into treatment. I'm a strength-based therapist and my overall theoretical orientation is integrative; it commonly includes utilization of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as behavioral and solution-focused techniques. I enjoy working with individuals who suffer from anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, relationship issues, and various life challenges. I'm happy to currently serve individuals 18+. I'm licensed in NC and SC. I'm also an out-of-state provider for the state of Florida allowing the option for telehealth for clients located in Florida at the time of service. Please view this site for additional information: https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/

My name is Dr. Kourtney Carter and I am a licensed therapist here in Atlanta, GA. I have been working in mental health and program development for over 10 years. I have a bachelors degree in clinical psychology, a masters degree in social work with a concentration in health and mental health, and a doctoral degree in health administration. My research focused on the impact of LGBTQ patient satisfaction on patient volume and hospital revenue. I believe mental health should be celebrated and embraced. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. As a licensed therapist I understand the many changes that life can bring. Change can bring on both healthy and unhealthy emotions. I am here to work with you to assist in getting back to a healthier you. I am experienced in depression, anxiety, stress management, career counseling, adjustment disorder, grief counseling, and LGBTQ++ needs.

At Mind Mosaic Psychology, our experienced team provide comprehensive psychological testing and evaluation services for autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and social-emotional challenges in children, teens, and adults. With over 50 years of combined experience, our neurodiversity-affirming clinicians use trusted diagnostic tools such as the ADOS and MIGDAS to identify autism spectrum profiles. We specialize in working with individuals who have complex or overlapping needs and provide clear, strengths-based feedback to support understanding and next steps. Our team is also trained in the focused therapy sessions like the SPACE model, developed at Yale, to guide parents of children with anxiety and related needs.