LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Apex, NC

Are you feeling like your life needs a change but you are not sure where to start? It seems, as life becomes more complex, more and more people are suffering from the devastating effects of stress, depression and anxiety and can benefit from the support and insight that therapy provides. I am a NC Licensed Psychologist working clinically with a wide range of ages and issues. I've worked in the field for 20 years, in schools, day treatment, and the private practice setting with adults, families, couples and children; focusing on adjustment difficulties, relationship problems, childhood abuse and maladaptive coping.

Sometimes life can feel hopeless and the answers are hard to come by. As your therapist, I tune in to what interests and empowers you. This means using; empirically supported methods such as, art therapy, meditation, EMDR, Reiki, DBT, CBT, Yoga therapy, body-brain therapies and exploring skills you already possess to improve your life. At Kelley Counseling & Wellness we meet with young children, adolescents, teens, couples and families. I specialize in treating teens, adults and couples who suffer from; addiction, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, mood disorders, depression, LGBTQ +, grief and loss and eating disorders.

I have been a social worker for more than 8 years and have experience working with people from all different backgrounds who are facing a variety of life’s challenges. Much of my experience has been working with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ + issues, substance use, and the challenges of parenting. I embrace the philosophy of meeting people where they are and helping them navigate challenges with a nonjudgmental, honest, and direct approach. You can expect a holistic approach to help you face challenges, learn more about yourself and gain confidence in your ability to navigate the journey.

Children, adolescents, and parents experience unique joys and challenges. When children are feeling big emotions, it can sometimes look like anxiety, depression, physical aggression, and defiance. Adolescents are navigating their identities and social relationships. Parents are trying to balance their own needs with those of their families. Therapy is a place to access emotional support and skill building. I provide play therapy to support children, and utilize a more directive style to support adolescents and parents. I provide a safe space that empowers clients to utilize their unique strengths, and I am LBGTQ+ affirming.

I have worked in the human service field for approximately 20 years. I have had the pleasure of working with mental health, developmentally disabled and substance abuse populations. I have worked with Assisted Medication Management and active military members and their families. My greatest reward as a therapist is helping my clients explore ways to make the changes in their lives that will allow them to look forward to the future with hope. I believe that we all need someone to talk with who will really listen and accept us as we are, without judgment.

Clients who benefit from therapy with me are often those who have an innate desire to break the cycle of dysfunction that has led them down a path fraught with anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, fear of uncertainty, and distrust. No one can heal in the absence of emotional safety, so my first priority is helping you establish safety with me. This means engaging as fully as possible with your preferences, values, and needs, and trusting you to be the expert on you. I believe you have an internal compass to follow--I am only a guide.

Asking for help is the first step towards feeling better and leading a happier, healthier life. Mental health is an important part of overall well-being. Most of us, at one time or another, are impacted by mental health concerns. We have therapists that treat adults, children, and teens. If you don't even know where to start call or e-mail the office and we will help guide you in choosing the right therapist and check your insurance benefits. To learn more about each of our therapists and their individual specialties, please visit our website www.sbcounseling.com/therapists

Reaching out and asking for help can sometimes be a daunting task, & if you have found yourself ready to make that first phone call, you have done the hardest part. The stressors of life, coupled with issues we may have faced in the past, or are currently facing today may hinder us on the road to a happy and fulfilled life. The issues we face can have an impact on all facets of our lives, from our interpersonal relationships, our work, our spirituality, and overall mental and physical wellbeing.

Tired of facing this alone? Need someone to trust to listen without placing judgment? So often, we try to handle things alone for too long. By the time we ask for help, the problem feels out of control. I want to help you to figure this out and get out from under whatever burden or decision is on you. Whether it is the past, work stress, grief over a loss, regret, anxiety, depression, or a behavior interfering with your life goals, I will work with you to try to figure this out.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about life changes I'd like to help. If you feel like you’ve hit a stuck place and don’t know what to do next, you’ve come to the right place. Thank you for taking the time to consider me as your therapist. Finding the right person to share your story with can be a tough decision- let me share with you a bit about myself to help make your decision easier!

Every person is an individual and deserves to be respected as they are. I work to make sure that we build treatment around your needs, ensuring that you are part of guiding your own path. Using knowledge, heart, humor, and care we will heal wounds and develop personal resources to alleviate the concerns that brought you here. Talk, music, expressive therapies, and experiential interventions will be used support the process of the individual, couple, or family. Together we will heal, cope, and connect. We all have a story to tell and together we can begin to write yours.

Do you need help creating the life you want? Would you like better relationships or more contentment? Most of us want to build hope and resilience in our lives. We want to know our strengths and how best to use them. We want to bloom in response to challenges in our life. Life transitions can provide opportunities to grow and flourish. Whether you are beginning or ending a relationship, raising children, helping a child to leave home, becoming an in-law, or becoming a caretaker, these events create opportunities. I love helping people through these changes and seeing them land on their feet and in a better place!

Finding the right counselor is very important! With that in mind, don't read a bio and pick someone. Take advantage of my free 20 minute phone consultation! That's all it's going to take to tell if I'll be a good fit or not. I have over 15 years of experience working with children, families, and adults. I'm good at getting people to talk about what the real problem is and not dance around the elephant in the room. You are not always going to get from me what you want to hear but I guarantee you are going to get from me what you need to hear.

I work to provide a holistic, personal form of care that provides each client with the tools they need to overcome life's challenging moments. I take an integrative approach to helping others better understand how their patterns are impacting their lives and what options they have to do things differently. I utilize a creative, expressive approach to combine art and music into my practice to simulate new pathways in the brain and reprocess trauma. Implementing creativity is a critical component in the healing process and has particular power when working with children and adolescents.

Throughout life, we often experience problems defining our identity and life’s purpose, frequently encountering depression, problems in personal relationships, values orientation challenges, and role concerns. These anxieties influence our major decisions, lifestyle choices, and expectations of ourselves and our loved ones. Many people turn to counselors to help them cope with the issues of identity, role expectations, and life’s purpose in the hopes of achieving a sense of meaning and intention.

Facing relationship difficulties? Sad, lonely, fearful, stuck? I can bring hope to your love life. As a premier couples therapist and coach, I can ignite love, passion, respect and trust in your relationship. I specialize in effective communication, conflict resolution, sexuality and intimacy, finances, stress, infidelity, addictions, ADHD and anxiety/ depressive illnesses. I offer practical approaches that work. I use them in my own 25 year marriage! I have provided successful couples therapy for thousands of couples all over the globe for over two decades. I look forward to talking with you today.

We are a group of dedicated professionals focused on providing mental health and substance abuse services to the community. We have over 20 years of combined experience working with individuals experiencing mental health and addiction related issues. We used a variety of therapeutic approaches to better address the needs of individuals served. We have extensive training on individual, family and couples' counseling. Our staff is trained in a variety of treatment models to best meet your needs. We provide a welcoming, non-judgmental environment to ensure that our clients have the best experience possible.

Clients who seek my services embrace spiritually-integrated counseling and therapy, which combines empirically-based interventions with spiritual resources in their journey of transformation. Despite the different reasons that bring clients to therapy, all of them need a safe space to unravel the problematic narratives of their lives, embrace the possibility of new futures, and learn new practices that help strengthen personal and communal bonds.

Therapy can help you overcome and cope with a number of challenges. It is my hope that you feel empowered after each session. I have 16 years experience as a psychotherapist. Before moving to NC I had a private practice in northern CA where I specialized in psychotherapy (individual and group) with cancer patients and their families. Since then my expertise has ranged into issues such as substance abuse, depression, anxiety, bipolar, mid-life crises, caregiver stress, and couples therapy. My most recent expertise is treating anxiety disorders (including phobias and OCD). I also provide clinical supervision to clinicians seeking their LCSW in NC