Therapists in Durham, NC

Oftentimes new mothers wonder why they aren't feeling like themselves after having a baby. You may be feeling overwhelmed, struggling with depression, anxiety, guilt, mood swings, or irritability even months after having your baby. Then add on hormonal changes and lack of sleep, you may be questioning if you will ever feel like yourself again. Perhaps even struggling with your new identity as a mother and feelings of incompetence, and grieving the loss of your individuality. You may feel ashamed of these emotions and thoughts, I am here to tell you You aren't alone and you deserve support.

WHOLE thoughts from WHOLE mind from a WHOLE person. We have work to do! Let's go.

People come to therapy because they want to feel better. Maybe it's relationship problems or anxiety/depression, but whatever the reason, life has become uncomfortable or painfull. Most people want more understanding of themselves and their situation. That being said change is what we all seek in therapy.Making your life work better is the goal. My therapy will help you alter self-defeating ways, get a more realistic and accurate perspective, gain insight that leads to improving the quality of your life.

I am a counselor who understands how it feels to sit in front of a therapist, that is why compassion is important to me. Vulnerability can be difficult, but we can create a safe space so when you're ready, we can change the difficulties interfering with your wants. That is therapy, getting what you need to get what you want. For example, depression has different flavors, but it keeps us from engaging fully in life and/or losing focus on what our dreams are. Whatever you are seeking to make life better and better, I am here to help. In person sessions can be scheduled on a limited basis but Telehealth with be offered on going.

The goal of Psychotherapy is to feel and function better in the world. That's what I help my clients do. I have been in practice for 40+ years, and have trained broadly and deeply in experiential, interpersonal and couples therapy. Before I was a psychologist, I was a nurse, and offer that background in helping as well. I bring the wisdom and insight of years of practice and life experience.

I have been serving children, adolescents, adults, and families for the past three and a half years as a Therapeutic Staff Support and Personal Care Assistant, as well as an Outpatient Therapist for two years. I assisted clients from preschool age to adulthood with intellectual, behavioral, and developmental disabilities such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, PTSD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Trauma, Stress, Relationship Struggles, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, as well as other mental health concerns.

My approach to counseling is that we are our one minds, body, soul, and spirit - all within us is connected - we are one. Becoming reconnected is the process of returning to your whole self, back home to who we are designed to be. Although we cannot erase the harm done to us, we can reclaim and reconnect back to our original sense of self. Counseling is a process of coming back home to you. I am a fan of allowing you to guide our processes of coming home to you. My approach to therapy is an embodied, interpersonal and narrative (story) focused.

The relationship you form with a counselor can help move you to making the changes you desire in life. Maybe you feel stuck or are facing some challenges with an important relationship? I focus on helping people expand and strengthen their resources by establishing clear goals for personal growth. I strive to help people feel comfortable and safe in therapy and use creative strategies to help unlock their potential. I especially enjoy working with couples to learn new strategies to communicate feelings with each other leading to improved relationships.

Many of my clients relate to the experience of feeling "othered", different or as existing outside of culturally-constructed margins. In our increasingly isolationist world, feeling different or other is becoming a common experience. While many things may remind us of our difference, or "non-normativity", in therapy I aim to collaboratively uncover and identify the worth and purpose that I believe exist in all humxn beings. I believe that all concerns, struggles, challenges, curiosities and explorations brought to therapy are related to relationships--the relationship we have with ourselves and other people. Often, clients express a need for deep connection and goals involve enhancing relationships, identifying emotions, coping more effectively with emotions, and nourishing self-worth and confidence. Research on therapeutic effectiveness has repeatedly demonstrated that therapeutic relationship is the principle determinant of positive therapeutic outcome. Thus, when I first meet clients, client-therapist relationship and chemistry is the primary emphasis and catalyst for change.

"Are you or your child struggling to manage stress in the home or school setting? I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in working with children and adolescents. I have experience working with youth dealing with issues, such as anxiety, depression, defiant behaviors, adjustment, school issues, and family conflict since 2007. I work with children and families to identify goals for personal success and work collaboratively to assist them in reaching those goals. I welcome clients of all ages, and I also enjoy working with adults struggling with anxiety and depression to assist them in making personal growth".

*ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!* Each of us has within us what we need to thrive, succeed, and grow. We are each the experts of our own experiences. But sometimes, life throws things at us that leave us feeling stuck and overwhelmed. That’s where therapy comes in. I provide a warm, attuned, and identity-affirming space where you can work toward getting unstuck – however that might look for you. I collaborate with you to uncover and amplify your innate strengths, resources, and wisdom, and I provide encouragement, accountability, and compassion as you leverage those strengths to discover your own solutions to the difficulties in your life.

Loneliness is the worst. Isolation shows up in many forms, including shame, stress, mistrust, and unproductive conflict. People grow and heal in the context of secure relationships, and I aim to help clients create and sustain them. It's my pleasure to work with couples, partnerships and individuals who are experiencing distress, coping with trauma, or struggling with identity development.

Do you find yourself struggling to find purpose and meaning in your job and life? When you come home at the end of a stressful workday, do you find yourself unable to turn off your brain when you just want to relax and enjoy the company of your family? Do you recognize patterns that need to change, but you just can’t figure out how to put change into action? Does perfection get in the way of progress? Together we can develop a holistic plan for action that helps you develop healthy habits, grow personally and be a leader in your life and work.

As a therapist who began his work with women and their families experiencing the effects of cancer and domestic violence, I am committed to empowerment as the greatest tool for alleviating suffering AND addressing systemic inequity and injustice which so often are at the root of suffering. I operate from the perspective that every individual, couple, family, group and culture has an important story worth understanding.

Struggling with worrying, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed? Going through significant life transitions? Ready to make changes because life just cannot continue on its current path? Maybe the pandemic canceled a dream wedding, or you’ve been struggling to make family, or you’re finding parenthood is not what you always dreamed. Perhaps you need to feel less alone as you process fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, or postpartum depression/anxiety.

Clients who would benefit from my services are those that suffer from addictive and compulsive behaviors as well as difficulty with depression, anxiety and relational issues. Those seeking mental and relational empowerment through a comprehensive treatment approach can find their goals met here.

**** 10/2021 I am currently unable to accept new clients for individual therapy. I will update my profile once I do have availability. **** I assume you are seeking therapy because you are tired of suffering. If your suffering is the result of trauma, mental illness, or unwanted behavior patterns, I can help. While pain is unavoidable in life, suffering is not. I can help you to confront your fears and maximize your strengths to help you regain your ability to enjoy living. I offer individual psychotherapy for adults and adolescents (age 13+) in my Durham office.

Life is like an ocean of possibilities. There are times in life that you are floating along just fine, times were you are riding high on the waves, and then there are times you feel like you are caught in a strong under current, struggling to keep from drowning. Whether you are dealing with depression, emotional challenges, trauma, relationship issues, or difficult life transitions and circumstances, you do not have to navigate them alone. My role as your therapist is to support and challenge you to reach your personal goals, with compassion and understanding, in an empathetic, judgment free partnership.

**Please note, I am no longer accepting new clients. If you wish to be added to my waitlist, you are welcome to reach out at any time.** You’ve likely spent plenty of time and effort trying to figure out how to improve your life in one way or another. If you're still finding yourself stuck in the same old patterns, I’d like to support you in the process of opening up to new ways of creating positive change in your life. I believe that you and I can work together to discover a more peaceful and meaningful life. This means working together to uncover new strategies for managing painful thoughts, memories and emotions.

As a counselor, I value warmth, authenticity, humor, and holistic empowerment of my clients. My approach to therapy blends Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and person-centered approaches, which are grounded in a feminist theoretical foundation. I will work to find the best possible approach for my client’s needs, and will strive to build a relationship of empathy, trust, and understanding; I will also work in partnership with clients to reach their personal goals, collaborate on skill building, and developing coping strategies.