Couples Counseling Therapists in Durham, NC

As an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, I believe in the constant and ever evolving pursuit of social, racial, gender, sexual, economic, and environmental justice. My goal in working with my clients is to address their concerns as a co-collaborator and ally. I work from a Relational/Cultural theoretical orientation, meaning that I believe the therapeutic relationship is a key to healing within treatment. I take an eclectic approach to counseling utilizing interventions from various theories in order to best serve the needs of the individual, couple, and family.

Psychotherapy should be collaborative and flexible, based on you and your specific story. Whether you have been through things in your life that are just coming to the surface or are feeling stuck and struggling to find joy and connection, I can help you gain clarity and find new ways to move through old challenges. Together, we will work toward deepening your connection to your core self and engaging more fully in the life you want. I provide an affirming and supportive space to process family of origin issues, grief, loss, relationship struggles and feelings of worry or anxiety.

I am Zhana Balaam, MSW, LCSWA and the owner of Harkening. Harkening offers Christian and non-religious couples and individual counseling as well as couples and individual sex therapy through affordable 60 minuet virtual sessions. I specialize in aiding clients master emotional and mental control as well as repairing/healing from dysfunctional relationships. Additionally, I specialize in restoring individual and couple sexual interests, connections, and performance.

With over 30 years of experience, I subscribe to a solution-focus philosophy, in which I strive to address the problem as quickly as possible, but with enough depth to avoid relapse. I set goals early in treatment with adults and couples , or with children/teenagers and their families, so we can find successful solutions and change behavior problems, emotional difficulties, academic difficulties, or family problems as soon as possible. I love people and people's stories, and am always truly and deeply interested in the story of every child, teen, and adult I meet. I also think laughter is therapeutic and therapy can be fun.

I am a clinical psychologist who works to help clients overcome adversity, cope with emotional difficulties, and achieve important life goals. My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, flexible, and informed by evidence-based practices. I provide individual psychotherapy for adults and adolescents to address a range of issues, including trauma- and stress-related difficulties, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges.

Hello and welcome :-) I’m Sanja (like Tanya with an S). My therapeutic approach is integrative and non-pathologizing, drawing from both psychodynamic and humanistic theories to support you in your healing journey. I strongly believe that the therapeutic relationship plays a central role in the healing process, and I strive to create a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I view our work together as a collaborative and evolving process that caters to your needs and aspirations.

I have an engaged, body-mind relational approach, that I call Integrative Counseling. This approach builds on your strengths, and helps you cultivate self-awareness and find new perspectives, leading to a more satisfying and fulfilling life. Integrative counseling includes breathing and mindfulness practices, the development of body awareness, the experience of therapeutic touch, as well as verbal and emotional processing, depending on your needs. As a caring, well trained professional I help people to overcome anxiety, depression, relationship problems, physical pain, job stress, addiction, and life transitions in healthy, nurturing ways.

Now Accepting Clients - Is the miscommunication between you and your partner ruining your day, your sex life, and connection? Do you think your intentions are misunderstood in your relationship ? Does withdrawing feel safer than attempting to talk to your partner when conflict arises? If so, I would be happy to help you and your partner shift out of negative cycles, overcome trauma, and regain control over your lives.

Change is a part of life, but that doesn’t make it easy. Sometimes, we make the changes – we get a new job, sign ourselves up for college classes, move to a new city. Sometimes those changes happen to us – our parents divorce, our partner leaves, a new medical diagnosis flips our world upside down. Whatever changes you’re experiencing, or changes you want to make in your life, therapy can help you find your balance and your voice in a life that often feels out-of-control and overwhelming. It is a passion of mine to help my clients find the steering wheel of their ships and chart their courses toward happiness.

My treatment style incorporates both client-centered and empirically-validated approaches in order to best serve each client's unique needs. I collaborate with clients to develop solution-focused goals that strengthen their interpersonal, behavioral, and emotional functioning.

Are you a teenager or adult struggling with daily stress, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or trauma and looking to get started immediately? Together we can work to build resiliency and health coping skills as well as improve self-image and communication. I am passionate about helping the LGBTQIA+ community. I am also looking to counsel couples looking to strengthen their relationship . I pride myself on providing a relaxed environment where others feel free to be themselves in order to heal and build. No matter where you come from or how far you have to go, I believe in you and your ability to overcome.

I enjoy working with individuals who are seeking lasting healing and therapeutic change. You may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or overwhelm that is signaling the need for a different way of living and approaching your life. You may have past trauma and need a safe space to work through this. Old patterns, wounding and trauma live in our bodies and show up in many ways including in relationships, feelings, thoughts, beliefs & body sensations. We will work together to heal and integrate these through a therapeutic approach that is relational, embodied, spirit-oriented and attentive to the culture and larger systems we live in.

I have been successfully treating children, teenagers, adults, couples and families since 1996. I offer a diverse menu of treatment options, from concrete skills to deep healing techniques to attain sustainable change. Viewing you holistically in all the contexts of your life, by recognizing your vulnerabilities while building on your strengths, is essential. I create a validating environment and an authentic, collaborative relationship . I am honest, empathic and an effective teacher. I will support you and challenge you to grow in the direction you desire.

You made it to the most difficult part: reaching out. Beginning to look for support can often be the hardest step toward meaning, connection, and emotional wellness. I would be honored to hold space for you. Some people seek therapy to have life to feel more fulfilling and to get closer to their authentic selves. Others may be struggling with emotions and stress, and want strategies to reduce the effects of grief or trauma or dealing with internal pain of varying kinds. I enjoy working with people seeking these fundamental needs in life, using an open, relational approach, joining with people on their journey.