My goal is to provide you with a safe, trusting, and caring environment in which we will work together to identify and explore those concerns that may be prohibiting you from enjoying a more rewarding home life and career or from establishing more fulfilling relationships. I aim to empower you with the necessary tools to promptly reach your goals and to take ownership of your life. I provide couples, family, and/or individual therapy for a variety of issues, and I use Gottman Method Therapy when working with couples.

Individuals who have had difficulty connecting with a therapist, who feel as though their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical health have been barriers to receiving the care they need in order to help them cope with life's challenges are welcome clients at Higher Ground Psychological Services. Individuals who feel that they are struggling to find out what is "wrong", who are looking for someone to listen and provide support and help, are welcome at Higher Ground Psychological Services. Individuals who are intimidated by the mental health field and are unsure of how to navigate it, are welcome at Higher Ground PS.

"Life's roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors!" With almost 20 years of experience in working with individuals of all ages as well as families, I have taken great pride in helping others recognize their individual strengths to weather the many storms of life. Although I work with all ages, I have a special passion for working with older children and teens and their families. Throughout my career, I have helped parents find the balance of providing support and love coupled with discipline to have healthy, happy relationships with their children and teens.

I am an LCSW and have worked with adults, couples, adolescents, children and families dealing with many life situations and psychological challenges for 28 years. During this time I worked for twelve years as a civilian psychotherapist with the Army and Air Force here and overseas. I am grateful for the immense experience I have gained. I service the Lake Norman area and North Charlotte. I provide individual, couple and family psychotherapy. I am also eager to serve military personnel/veterans/families. Additionally I have increased my practice to include First Responders (EMS, Law Enforcement and Fire personnel).

The decision to begin therapy is a personal one. Whether you understand what brings you to therapy or not, you are here. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard & respected. Having a trustworthy, compassionate ally fully present for empowerment, support, and guidance is key to your growth and well-being. Your needs matter. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety/stress, or challenges with adjustment to life experiences (trauma, work/personal, grief, bereavement, uncertainty), then it's time to connect. We will collaborate to identify your specific needs and desires so you can begin to experience peace in mind, body, and spirit.

I am a licensed clinical social worker and I own Firmly Rooted Counseling & Consulting. I specialize in women's issues, birth trauma, postpartum anxiety/depression, eating disorders, and body image concerns. Parenting and attachment parenting is also a passion of mine. I love to work with parents brainstorming ways to get through tough situations using positive discipline. I also have a specialty in working with children and adults on the autism spectrum. I approach each client as an individual and cater my therapy techniques to what will work best for that specific client.

Therapy is a process of self-discovery. You learn more about your strengths, connect with your inner wisdom, and recognize your resilient nature. I support you in gently moving through unresolved issues from the past. Together we establish new ways of coping with current challenges and lay the foundation for you to function at your best. Our wounds may not be our fault; however, healing is our responsibility.

Although you may feel alone in your problem, I guarantee that you are not, and will help you develop individual and relationship skills to overcome your problem(s). I am an avid proponent of examining the systemic nature of problems, which includes taking inventory of the mental, physical, spiritual, societal, and relational aspects that may be effecting you. I will help you deconstruct your life and experiences, and help you reconstruct a healthy psychological paradigm that heals you and brings meaning and purpose to your life. You will ultimately feel more alive, genuine, and hopeful about yourself and your future.

Life and relationships are hard. Maybe you're in a pivotal transition and trying to figure out how to maneuver through this new phase of life. "Is this really what life has to be like now? I am tired of putting on a happy face for everyone else when I am crying inside." Life adjustments can be scary and even a little infuriating at times. Sometimes you just need someone else to talk to about what is happening without feeling judged, allowing you the freedom to speak your true thoughts without fear of hurting someone else's feelings.

Life can be difficult, but people are resilient. My counseling approach towards each individual is strength-based. I believe that everyone has positive qualities and strengths. Sometimes, it just may be hard for someone to recognize when they are going through a hard time. My job is to come alongside my clients in a safe environment where my clients can share their feelings without being judged. I will help to point out any faulty thinking or behavioral patterns that may be causing difficulties in life. I mainly work with women and teens struggling with depression, anxiety and trauma histories.

I offer therapeutic wellness interventions with the process and goals of empowerment, positive/ balanced lifestyle choices, and optimum functioning. I enjoy working with children and adolescents (age 6-18) and adults who are seeking support and facilitation in their healing and growth/ learning toward a "self- actualizing" potential where they truly are their "best self". I am most helpful for clients who are willing to be active participants and personally responsible for the change/ transformation process inherent to experiencing wellness. Together we treat root cause issues of common symptoms such as anxiety, depression, emotional/behavioral imbalance, trauma, and relational issues.

Thank you for taking the first step in seeking help and achieving your best self! My goal is to provide you with a safe and non-judgmental space, guiding you in discovering the very strengths that you already possess. Life presents challenges and you may be dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship problems, school academic/behavior struggles, parenting issues, or are simply going through life adjustment difficulties.

Dr. Palmer is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Carolinas Center for Evaluation and Treatment. She has conducted various types of psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults within psychiatric inpatient, clinical outpatient, community mental health, crisis, and private practice settings. In therapy, she maintains an ongoing focus on creating a collaborative relationship built on acceptance and mindful listening. Along with a healthy sense of humor, she favors cognitive-behavioral approaches to facilitate clients’ learning of practical strategies that empower them to make desired life changes.

Crystal McNiel, MSW, LCSW, McNiel Family Counseling & Services, LLC is a private counseling agency in Cornelius, NC. Our practice serves residents of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. We specialize in working with families and children. Our mission is to promote secure, loving, and healthy interactions within families.

For the past 19 years I’ve helped hundreds of individuals, children and families work through a variety of challenges. My areas of expertise are anxiety, depression and relationship problems. I also provide divorce support and parenting coaching. All of my sessions are done online (and will continue to be online even after covid-19), so you can get the help you need without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

*Accepting new clients..I have worked in the Charlotte area since 1997 completing evaluations and providing counseling. I specialize in assessing and diagnosing children, adolescents, and young adults. Psychological evaluations provide information necessary to help individuals achieve success in their lives. Parents often question: under-achievement, inattention/distractibility, executive skills, proper interventions, and/or strengths and weaknesses of their child. I assess for learning disabilities, attention disorders, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, giftedness, kindergarten readiness, and private school admissions (CAIS).

I believe that we are whole persons with physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. I have been trained on an approach that includes an integration of my Christian faith with compatible psychological perspectives. I work with adults, women, and couples who are experiencing a variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, grief and loss, spiritual concerns, illnesses, and relational concerns.

In the more than 20 years that I have been a therapist, I have honed an eclectic-style of guiding therapy, using the skills that I have in the best interest of meeting the needs of my clients. I feel as though what sets me apart from other therapists is my drive to help clients deal with the things they struggle with. When I entered college, I initially wanted to be a psychiatrist, but I decided I didn't want to simply prescribe pills: I wanted to know people and to help them. So I chose psychology instead of psychiatry.

We were not made to suffer, struggle, or change alone. Sometimes we need a push, a shove, or a gentle helping hand. Melissa sees the counseling process as an opportunity to increase self-awareness and build resilience together. Melissa enjoys helping to empower her clients by walking beside them working towards a common goal. Melissa has worked extensively with complex mental health and substance use cases, both as a counselor and program clinical supervisor. Melissa works with adolescents (14 and above) and adults of all ages.