Photo of Andrea Exley, Marriage & Family Therapist in Clay County, NC
Andrea Exley
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LCAS
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Hayesville, NC 28904
Waitlist for new clients
I am not afraid of hearing the hard truths that you don't share with others. I find it an honor and a privilege to come along side someone who trusts me enough to share their life, the good and the bad. I have supported people who have experienced things that they believe others think to be unreal, people who believe there is no reason to keep living, people who partake in activities they know are not good for them, people who struggle to have healthy relationships, and people that have been living in darkness. I want to help you break away from that darkness. I want to provide a space that fosters security, hope, and healing.
I am not afraid of hearing the hard truths that you don't share with others. I find it an honor and a privilege to come along side someone who trusts me enough to share their life, the good and the bad. I have supported people who have experienced things that they believe others think to be unreal, people who believe there is no reason to keep living, people who partake in activities they know are not good for them, people who struggle to have healthy relationships, and people that have been living in darkness. I want to help you break away from that darkness. I want to provide a space that fosters security, hope, and healing.
(704) 396-8736 View (704) 396-8736

Online Therapists

Photo of John Taylor Houchens, Licensed Professional Counselor in Clay County, NC
John Taylor Houchens
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Asheville, NC 28804
My website - www.taylorhouchens.com - I specialize in working with boys, teenagers, men, women, and families. If this is you, it is my goal to help you overcome the barriers and problems in your life that are keeping you from experiencing the freedom you are desiring. Often times, these problems are the result of trauma from childhood that is still unresolved. Perhaps you're experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, sexual abuse, PTSD, addiction (sexual, drug/alcohol, work), lack of self confidence, family issues, relationship difficulties, negative coping habits, physical or auto-immune disorders, or more. If so, I can help.
My website - www.taylorhouchens.com - I specialize in working with boys, teenagers, men, women, and families. If this is you, it is my goal to help you overcome the barriers and problems in your life that are keeping you from experiencing the freedom you are desiring. Often times, these problems are the result of trauma from childhood that is still unresolved. Perhaps you're experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, sexual abuse, PTSD, addiction (sexual, drug/alcohol, work), lack of self confidence, family issues, relationship difficulties, negative coping habits, physical or auto-immune disorders, or more. If so, I can help.
(828) 622-4184 View (828) 622-4184
Photo of Debbie Dixon Barney, Lic Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Clay County, NC
Debbie Dixon Barney
Lic Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, MA, LCMHCA, LCAS-A, NCC
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Penrose, NC 28766
Do you ever wake up and wonder, "How did I get here?" or "Why did this have to happen to me?" Maybe you wish your life looked differently but are not sure how to get there. We all have "things" we need to process, but my experience is that we often get “stuck in a rut” with how we approach problems. We need a new perspective or another person to help us process our "stuff” - someone who can ask us questions to help us to see things from a different vantage point or to help us rewrite our stories with hope, purpose, and excitement. My desire is to help people see how the “stuff” in their lives can be used in amazing ways.
Do you ever wake up and wonder, "How did I get here?" or "Why did this have to happen to me?" Maybe you wish your life looked differently but are not sure how to get there. We all have "things" we need to process, but my experience is that we often get “stuck in a rut” with how we approach problems. We need a new perspective or another person to help us process our "stuff” - someone who can ask us questions to help us to see things from a different vantage point or to help us rewrite our stories with hope, purpose, and excitement. My desire is to help people see how the “stuff” in their lives can be used in amazing ways.
(828) 677-2303 View (828) 677-2303
Photo of Katherine Therrell, Licensed Professional Counselor in Clay County, NC
Katherine Therrell
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, NCC, LPC
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Arden, NC 28704
My clients are adults, adolescents, and children who need help coping with anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, abuse, educational/employment situations, family dynamics, or other problems impacting their mental health. Though I practice Cognative Behavioral Therapy, I employ a variety of methods including "talk therapy", EMDR, sand therapy, and play therapy, depending upon individual need. I strive to provide unconditional acceptance and support to my clients as they work to achieve their counseling goals. I accept Medicaid and most private insurance.
My clients are adults, adolescents, and children who need help coping with anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, abuse, educational/employment situations, family dynamics, or other problems impacting their mental health. Though I practice Cognative Behavioral Therapy, I employ a variety of methods including "talk therapy", EMDR, sand therapy, and play therapy, depending upon individual need. I strive to provide unconditional acceptance and support to my clients as they work to achieve their counseling goals. I accept Medicaid and most private insurance.
(828) 565-1925 View (828) 565-1925
Chronic Pain Therapists

How does chronic pain therapy work?

Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.

What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?

Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.

Are there new treatments for chronic pain?

Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.

How long does therapy for chronic pain take?

There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.