Person-Centered Therapists in Craven County, NC

I've had a passion for helping people since I was a child. Received my education at a Trauma Informed Care, University at Buffalo. I want you to feel safe, assist you in making your choices while being sensitive to who you are and your culture. I want to meet you where you are and assist you in getting to where you want to be. I'm here to assist you in getting unstuck! I want to bring out in you the best possible version of yourself. I specialize in helping you feel better by finding your strengths and using them to your advantage. I use a person centered approach in doing so. Call me and let's see if we can build you up together.

I believe counseling is a process by which we gain insight into ourselves.It is my responsibility to provide you with a safe environment to explore your thoughts and feelings. I use a combination of therapies, cognitive behavioral, reality based, person centered and motivational interviewing. I understand that every individual &situation is different, I will adapt to best fit the you. We will look at your cognitions and behaviors, to understand where you are and where you hope to be. My goal is to provide you with the strength to succeed, & with tangible resources and techniques that you can use outside of the counseling session.

Having support and guidance with life challenges can be empowering for healing and self growth! Many times we just need someone to listen as we talk through our life challenges. A good working relationship between a therapist and client begins with rapport and trust. With a Person Centered approach in our therapy sessions, I will utilize therapeutic interventions, such as CBT, TFCBT and expressive therapies so each session is individualized to the client. I completed my Phd coursework for Advanced Studies of Human Behavior in 2015 and I completed my master's degree of Community Counseling in 2009.

I have worked with individuals throughout many different life stages and events in an attempt to improve their quality of life. It is my goal to meet clients where they are currently at in the therapeutic process and work with them to help meet their goals. I have experience working with all ages to include children/adolescents, teens, adults, and older adults. I utilize a trauma informed, strengths based perspective with my clients to assist with an array of challenges and strive to identify an effective and appropriate evidence based clinical intervention with clients.

Hi! My name is Nicole. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor working at Ocean's Crest Counseling Center, PLLC in Burgaw, NC (opening March 1st 2024!). I am accepting new clients with BCBS, MedCost, Aetna, United Healthcare, Tricare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Healthy Blue. I am certified as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. I have experience with a variety of mental health diagnoses. I have experience working with children, young adults, and military with a variety of mental health diagnoses. Some of these diagnoses have included PTSD, anxiety, depression, ODD, ADHD, and Conduct Disorder.

Life can be…a bit of a rollercoaster at times and can often feel unmanageable. If you find yourself becoming bogged down by life’s twists and turns, I’m here to help! My name is Courtney Howard and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. My mission is to provide a safe space for you to explore, repair, and grow. Taking the steps to begin a counseling journey isn’t easy and I’m proud of you for searching for a therapist to fit your needs. Are you stressed, depressed, anxious, suffering with illness, grieving, or struggling with mood? Then I may be the perfect fit for you!

I see therapy as an invaluable tool & asset, which can heal, empower & enrich one's life. I am committed to joining you wherever you are -- sadness, joy, discomfort, feeling "stuck,” or all of the above. By embracing ALL of what we feel -- the positive, the painful, and the uncertainty -- I believe that we achieve more enlightened, fulfilled lives. My belief is that over time we can build a foundation to create a safe and trusting space to make it easier to share your experiences and challenges.

Welcome! I am a warm, non-judgmental and real person. One of my basic tenants is we, as people, are doing the best we can, and sometimes our conscious or subconscious "plan" to take care of ourselves is just not working anymore. Sometimes we need to develop a new “plan” but that can be difficult and we need help. The relationship with ourselves, family, friends and our community is a pillar to good health and well being. However things get in the way….like trauma, substance use, addiction, depression, anxiety, loneliness, illness, & fear. I want to support your concerns and help you improve your sense of wellbeing.

As a therapist, I recognize the importance of providing genuine care and empathy to my clients. My role as a therapist is not just a job, but a calling and my passion. I committed to helping people overcome their challenges and live their best lives, and take great pride in being a part of that journey. I have great background in working with young children through adults. We are allowed to get angry, it is just about HOW we handle/express that anger. I thrive on helping my clients and building their coping skills and strengths for dealing with all and any stressors in life.

EMDR Trained. You've made the first step in your healing journey by seeking out help. By allowing me to walk alongside you, I will work to assist you in achieving the goals that you desire. I do this by providing a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment for you to gain the insight into your life as you begin to make the changes that will help you grow and heal. I look forward to working collaboratively as a team to help you make healthy and positive changes.

Do you find life overwhelming at times and afraid of the next “storm” coming? Do you sometimes wake up wishing the day was already over? Do you question if life will ever get any better than this? Do you feel misunderstood, unheard, or disconnected from other important people in your life? Life doesn’t have to be this difficult. And you shouldn’t have to walk this journey alone. Populations I primarily serve include both adolescents (ages 11+) and adults. I also identify as an LGBTQIA ally.

09.01.23 - Practice accepting new clients! You have been through some things - things you choose not to talk about. You have been dealing with things in your own way, but it’s not working anymore. You need a place where you can talk. You want to know you won’t be judged. You want support and understanding. You are tired of these thoughts and memories coming up over and over. You are ready to move on from the nightmares, anger issues, anxiety, depression, and feeling stressed out. You want to have healthy relationships and be able to actually live life, instead of just making it.

From my experiences as a veteran, wife, daughter, mother, and a licensed marriage & family therapist, I have a great appreciation for the healing that can occur when life's difficulties are confronted and understood in the context of relationships. Research shows that more progress is made when individuals have natural supports involved in their treatment. These supports may come in the form of family members, friends, significant others, coworkers, or another professional in your life.

Accepting New Clients - I am a strengths-based therapist providing multiple treatment methods for my clients treating them with respect, acceptance, and understanding. I believe it is important to build a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients to ensure the best outcomes. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, especially children and teens.

I HAVE OPENINGS FOR NEW CLIENTS!! Are you feeling stuck? Do you feel trapped by your strong emotional reactions? Are you feeling alone and disconnected in your relationship? Anxious or not good enough? We all have moments in our lives when we need support, and we are not meant to suffer alone. There is no shame in reaching out for help. I help clients work through current struggles & emotional pain by so they can experience calm, self-compassion, freedom and meaning in their lives.

Accepting New Clients. My passion is working with people who are teetering in crisis mode and want to establish peace in their life. Sometimes the crisis can be a trauma or it might be a marital or family conflict. I enjoy helping people who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and addiction/recovery. I am comfortable working with military families, and I appreciate cultural differences. I want to help you identify your struggle, explore all potential solutions, and develop goals to overcome the obstacles.

You may be feeling overwhelmed by work, stress from your relationships, or parenting. And while you may put on a brave and confident face, secretly you're over-analyzing and over-thinking every situation and decision. It can be difficult to cope when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed. You feel like you're stuck in a rut, unable to move forward. My advice? It's time to take a step back, slow down, and reflect on your life and the changes you want to make to build sustainable happiness. You deserve it! Let's talk about what's been going on and see how we can work together to make some positive changes.

Our world has changed over the past few years and it continues to be a very stressful time for us all. I would love to chat with you to see if I may be a good fit to help you navigate your own personal journey. I have had many experiences in my life that have led me into the field of mental health and substance use. I believe that there is a biological, psychological, and spiritual part of every human being and, oftentimes, these are out of balance. It is my honor to be able to assist you in finding that balance and to help you build your life worth living. I have been in practice for since 2009 and am licensed in NC & VA.

We all arrive at turning points in life, a place in which we realize that our current path no longer suits our needs or reflects our values. Often, we develop ways of coping with life’s stressors and continue to use these outdated coping methods long after they have lost their purpose. Therapy is most effective when it addresses bio-psycho-social wellness in all areas. I will listen to your needs and desired outcomes to help you create your ideal plan for recovery and wellness.