Therapists in Downtown, Charlotte, NC

Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If you are looking for things to change and are willing to work with me, things can get better. So many clients enter therapy with apprehension and a lack of hope for things to improve. I focus my practice on creating trust and getting my clients back on track as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Therapy begins with an end in mind and you and I would work together to make sure we are always making progress towards goals.

I specialize in the child and adolescent population and their families and have done so for 18 years. I specialize in treating individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities and using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for trauma recovery. In my practice I also treat adults ( who can be seen by other therapists as well as myself within the practice). I collaborate with a psychiatric nurse practitioner for medication management, ensuring comprehensive support for clients.

I have been a counselor working with children, teens and young adults for over 19 years. I enjoy providing a safe space for my clients to process the difficulties they may be having in a confidential setting. I have a strong focus on the therapeutic relationship and believe that every person is different and their counseling should reflect their needs. I have completed specialized training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and also the Training for Adoption Competency.

Children, adolescents, and families are the focus of my practice. Developing and strengthening the parent-child relationship is especially important with young children. Helping children learn to feel more capable and independent is important for school age children. Developing autonomy and learning to make good choices is critical for adolescents. By creating achievable goals together and working in a safe and supportive environment, we are able to create positive experiences for both children and parents.

Ben Oliva works with adults, adolescents, and children using evidence-based mental skills and techniques that can be applied in all areas of life. Ben specializes in working with children and adolescents on the topics of confidence, anxiety, focus, and emotional control, as well as helping parents to navigate the youth sports experience. Ben has advanced training in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT).

It is no secret that parenting is hard. When you add your child’s mental health and/or behavioral health needs into the mix it can add another level of complexity. Children and adolescents often have difficulty managing their emotional responses, have limited communication skills, and limited coping strategies; this can impact how they engage in the world around them. I would like to help your child feel more in control and confident to take on whatever the world hands them.

Does your child have trouble focusing or performing in school? Are you looking for parent strategies to better support your child’s needs? Are you concerned with your child's mental health or development? As a parent/caregiver, your natural instinct is to provide support for your child, although knowing the "what" or "how" is not always clear. All behavior communicates something. Whether it is a skill deficit, learned pattern, or underlying symptom, determining what lies behind the behavior is the first step to supporting it. You bring the experience as the parent and together we will determine the "what," "why," and "how."

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has been helping people in the Charlotte area make essential changes in their lives for 21years. I believe that a frank and gentle approach which values the therapeutic relationship is the key to facilitate individual change. My approach is an active one in which I work with the client to find resources and experiences that create a sense of hope within. I have two major areas of focus: life span issues in adults; adjustment problems in children and adolescents. With each group I cultivate a sense of humor and an ability to play as part of my therapy.

My focus is to assist children, adolescents, families, and adults to build positive self image through enhancing self esteem, improving social skills, and reducing family and peer conflicts. I work closely with parents to strengthen their limit setting, clear expectations, and conflict resolution abilities through improved communication skills. Setting limits and boundaries in all relationships and dynamics is a tool that I often use in my therapeutic process. Giving children, parents, couples and individuals tools to maneuver through the daily issues are tools and techniques that I focus on in our sessions.

As a clinician, I am passionate about working with children ages 2-11 through the power of child-centered play therapy to promote healing, strengthen development, and enhance family functioning. I also enjoy working with early adolescents ages 11-14 from a person-centered and solution focused approach to navigate social and emotional disruptions that coincide with development.

Experience, experience, experience. As a psychologist with over 35 years serving adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families, I understand that "well begun is half done" which points to the importance of respecting each individual's unique starting point in therapy. I have a distinct health orientation based in science which suggests that most emotional distress is ultimately stress-related. Therefore, emotional balance and well-being is inherently available to most individuals. Ultimately, most of us find that quality emotional work pays off.

I work with children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 3-25) whom are struggling emotionally or behaviorally. I have extensive experience with trauma and complex trauma cases.

Do you ever feel like the struggles of life are getting in your way? Are you tired of trying to face these challenges on your own? The truth is we all have struggles and the greater truth is you don't have to deal with it alone! You've made it this far, now take the next step in improving your mental health. I would love to assist you in discovering your strengths, overcoming obstacles, eliminating unwanted behaviors and thoughts, and increasing your overall quality of life!

I am a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience assisting adults, children, youth and families in overcoming some of life's challenges including trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, life transitions and relationship issues. My approach to therapy is one of partnership; working together with you to develop goals that are important to you. I particularly like working with children and youth and their caregivers in order to enhance relationships and overall functioning. I am licensed to provide services in North Carolina as well as licensed to provide Telehealth services in South Carolina.

Are you a parent concerned about your teens shift in behavior or mood? You may be confused whether it is "regular teen" stuff or something more. You miss your happy, carefree child and wonder if they will ever enjoy life again. Imagine what it would be like for them to have their confidence back and skills to manage difficult situations and emotions in the future. Your teen would feel better about themselves and parents could breath easier knowing their children have the skills to cope and know when and how to ask for help. Life transitions are hard, whether it's going to or graduating from college. It's okay to ask for help.

For the past twenty one years, I have worked as a LCSW with children, adolescents adults and couples using a variety of treatment modalities. This experience comes from woring in hospitals, mental health agencies and partial hospitalizations programs. I specialize in Mood Disorders, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorders, Trauma/abuse, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Bereavement/Grief and Mental Health Conditions(HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, and etc.) More recently, I was certified as a Parent Coordinator for the Mecklenburg Court system.

It’s not easy being a kid. You’re learning and growing—and the world isn’t always patient if you need to do so a little differently, or when “big feelings” get in the way. Not that being a teen or adult is easier. You might struggle under the weight of seemingly impossible expectations and stresses. Or you find yourself experiencing hurt in your relationships. Maybe you wish your child could handle their emotions better and really start to blossom. Or maybe, as a teen or adult, you want to find peace with yourself and healthy connection with others.

I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate (LCMHCA) who works with clients of all ages. My approach is tailored to each client’s needs, relying on therapy modalities that include play therapy (age 2-12), cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and a person-centered approach. My specialities include working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, peri/postnatal complications, stressful life transitions, parenting concerns, poor emotional regulation, behavioral issues, and family conflict.

We assume that childhood is a carefree happy time but for some children and teens, anxiety robs them of this joy. If your child can't sleep alone, is afraid to try new things or can't tolerate mistakes, they may be struggling with anxiety. If your teen avoids social events, struggles to go to school or worries incessantly about other's opinions, their worries may be overwhelming them. Even overachievers who look like they have everything under control may be stressed by their perfectionism or need to please others. Some kids develop rituals in response to obsessions or compulsions. If this sounds like your child, I can help!