Family Therapy in Watauga County, NC

Are you struggling with depression or anxiety? Are you having difficulty bouncing back after a traumatic experience? Are you having difficulties in a relationship? I can help! I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience providing trauma-informed services to children, adults, families, and couples. Areas of specialization include: anxiety and mood disorders, PTSD, grief and loss, child/adolescent behavior problems, adjustment and phase of life issues, and interpersonal relationship problems.

I work with both individuals and couples, empowering people to cultivate their relationships into the source of strength, hope, and life that is needed. In individual work I focus on cultivating resilience, emotional girth, and strategic approaches to difficult circumstances and relationships. In couples work my goal is to preserve and expand relationships, helping couples to grow together through life challenges in a way that is mutually beneficial and supportive. As a Christian, I also integrate matters of faith with these goals appropriate to the unique needs of each client.

During any stage of life we are faced with challenges of many kinds. And these trials can keep anyone in the dark, not realizing that hope can be found. If you're someone who is trying to figure out who you are in the world, trying to find their way, or who just needs a solid connection with a partner; if you recognize a problem and a longing for change or struggling with overwhelming thoughts and emotions that keep you pushed away, leaving you in the dark, then you’re not alone and I’m here to help.

The term "eating disorder" can feel scary. In the beginning, clients typically tell me they can't stop thinking about food. They’re finding a large part of their day is dedicated to their next meal. They miss out on time with loved ones because the concern of what they will “be able” to eat is too strong. A lot of my clients find themselves in a dieting spiral. They “do good” for a while, and then they binge later, leading to feelings of shame and guilt. Most have heard confusing things about bodies throughout their lives.

I assist individuals, couples, and families with a wide array of challenges across the life span. These difficulties include family of origin, attachment, and relational issues. For some clients, goals may include: reducing anxiety, learning to thrive through depression, or healing from grief. Everyone’s situation is unique and we all have had experiences at one point or another in which we needed help or direction.

I am a graduate of Appalachian State University with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and have been practicing for the past thirteen years. I specialize in work with individuals, couples, families and teens, and have a focus in systems theory and narrative therapy. I prefer to work in collaboration with my clients to use the expertise that they have in their own lives to help find strategies that can help them build the life that they want.

Over the past 9 years, I have provided counseling for individuals, students, families and couples. My licensure is in Marriage and Family Therapy, so I not only love to work with individuals, but with couples and families as well. I have a passion for helping couples strengthen and improve their marriages, as well as learn to work together as a team. I also enjoy working with individuals who are facing difficult or transitional times in their lives. I maintain an encouraging and supportive approach to help individuals identify their struggles and anxieties, as well as develop coping mechanisms to overcome the difficulties they are facing.

I enjoy working with a wide range of individuals, and feel honored to be able to navigate with you through life's challenges. You are not alone, and being able to talk with you through your sensitive time in a trusting, safe environment is what we will be doing together.

In each of our lives there will be times of conflict, grief, sadness and fear. Problems can feel too complicated to solve, or too overwhelming to face. Whether you are looking for support for long-term issues, or navigating a specific period of difficulty, I will collaborate with you to find solutions and outcomes that work for you. Whether you are an individual, or part of a couple or family, we will work together to discover how patterns of interaction are keeping you stuck in places you don't wish to be.

Childhood can be filled with exploration, and with that comes big changes, stresses, and a shift in identity and dependency. Navigating the first two decades of life is not one size fits all. Whether it’s learning to get along with friends, going to school, dealing with broken relationships, or navigating through trauma, we all need extra support. This is where I can help. I love working with young individuals to support them in becoming exactly who they want to be while working through obstacles. I have unique experiences working with youth who struggle with identity, anxiety, depression, trauma, and navigating relationships.

Welcome! My goal is to create an open, non-judgmental space where we can work together to help you manage your situation and feelings while also exploring how to do things differently. We will work together to gain insight into your relationship dynamics, personality, commitment styles, beliefs, and family systems. My practice areas include: chronic health conditions/injuries, depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. I work with individuals and families. Openings for couples/family therapy are now available with the intern therapist at my practice (offered at a reduced cost).

I am well versed in a number of theoretical approaches, utilizing an integrated strategy designed to meet your needs best. I treat adults, and families. I am very well suited to work with a wide spectrum of populations including both mental health and addiction issues. Most of my patients find that I am a good listener with empathic and genuine qualities. I am dedicated to my work and believe in meeting my patients where they are in relation to our work together. If you are looking for a therapist who is versatile, experienced, and open to a variety of issues I might be a good fit for you.

I work with families, couples, and individuals, including adults, adolescents and children. Treatment modalities include: ( TFCBT), Solution Focused therapy, Family Systems therapy, play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CPT, creative and expressive therapies. I approach clients with a strength based focus, believing that clients move at their own pace and have a right to self determination. Therapy starts "where the client is" and goals reflect their needs and input.. I do not discriminate or refuse professional services to anyone on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.

I am committed to enhancing the emotional and spiritual growth of people, individually and in relationships. The purpose of my counseling is to help people overcome the hindrances that keep them from reaching their potential to be fully loving and responsible - towards themselves, in relationship to other people, and in their spiritual journey.

I invite you to utilize my over 30 years of mental health/addictions education and experience, empowering you with highly effective and enduring therapy, resolving long term and recent issues that block your happiness and success. Adults, youths, couples and whole families are carefully taught needed skills and facilitated actual healing processes, step by step, to remedy thought distortions, repressed feelings and dysfunctional behaviors and attitudes that impair your relationships, socialization, work or school success. Treatment is customized in consideration of individual schedules, preferences, strengths, obstacles and goals for lasting growth and change. Christian counseling is available upon request.

My mission is to provide quality therapeutic services to families, couples and individuals. I assist my clients in improving their relationships and creating positive changes in their lives. Working from a holistic and developmental perspective, I assist clients to develop their full potential in order to thrive.

I love working with people who are taking steps to better understand themselves and how they relate to the world around them. I work with children, teens, adults and families who are looking to realize their full potential and confront challenges in doing so. I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, family conflict, life transitions, academic struggles, work-life balance and relationships. I love working with children and parents to support empathy building in family relationships.

During my past five years in the therapy field I have worked with clients from all different ages to help process their feelings and help them deal with not only trauma, but every day life. My specialties include depression, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, family dynamics, trauma/abuse, parenting concerns, cognitive behavioral therapies, and problem solving. I enjoy working with teenagers and children who are struggling with their emotions, stress, or a past trauma. I am open with my clients and provide a non-judgmental and safe space that people have found easy to relate with.

Do you have something on your mind? There are times when we all have thoughts running through our minds. Thoughts related to family, friends, relationships, school, love, spirituality, money, work, or happiness. Sometimes they are memories from your past that you're unable to let go. Maybe you can't sleep, maybe you can't eat. Maybe you have lost your purpose, who you are, what you're doing or why. It could be big, or just a small thing you want to let go. These situations can slow you down and pull your life to a stop.