LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Elon College, NC

You're feeling stuck in your behaviors and patterns but don’t know how to break free from the cycle. Maybe you’ve made a few changes in life and you’re finding it difficult to fit into your environment because the people surrounding you aren’t supportive of your new self. We all want to be heard and supported — especially when we’re unsure of our next steps in life and grow as a person. You just want to be accepted for who you are. You are worthy to be seen, heard, and accepted for who you are in every stage of life. Schedule a consult today to take the next step of your healing process and self-exploration journey.

Effective conflict resolution has been a repetitive attribute that I have continued to strengthen within the last 20+ years. I always strive to find an efficient and effective way to resolve conflict so that all parties affected can walk away with a little more clarity and understanding as well as with the desire to want to bring resolution to the issue or issues at hand. I pride myself on treating people the way I want to be treated as well as listening thoroughly with empathy, compassion and an open-mind.

Welcome! My name is Jennifer Wilson and I am a licensed clinical social worker providing quality supportive services. I am motivated to provide quality care to children, adolescents, and adults. I continue to work tirelessly to stay abreast of current trends as an out-patient therapist. I earned my Master's in Social Work at Fayetteville State University with a concentration in mental health and substance abuse. I have experience with working with a variety of addictions including but not limited to: sex, gambling, workaholics, substance abuse, and love/relationship.

My goal in therapy is to guide you in self-exploration so you can better understand yourself and the issues you face, and then learn what it looks like to live in alignment with your values. At the foundation of this work is a trustworthy therapeutic relationship. I have experience and am trained to help clients navigate eating disorders/disordered eating, anxiety, depression, religious trauma, pregnancy/postpartum, and significant life transitions. I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician devoted to creating a safe space for all identities. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and am Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned.

Looking for something different? I uniquely combine evidence-based therapy with meditation, breathwork, yoga, and other techniques, like art therapy. I’ve been a licensed therapist since 2007. I create a space where you can be heard and nurtured but also pushed to grow. We'll work together to set realistic therapeutic goals so you can thrive. I love to support teens, college students, & adults, as well as LGBTQIA+, POC, single parents, and other marginalized populations. I offer group for younger kids. Together, we’ll reduce stress, anxiety, and low mood by learning coping skills to increase overall wellness and personal awareness.

Whether this is your first time looking for a therapist or a "last ditch effort" to get help, I believe I can support you. When you are working with me, and yes, therapy is work, it is my hope that you will feel warmth, genuineness, and judgment-free compassion from me. Just the concept of finally feeling heard can be quite powerful in itself. I am trained in a number of therapeutic approaches but I do not believe in a cookie-cutter approach to clients, and will tailor my interventions to your needs. While techniques and interventions are important, the rapport and relationship between therapist and client is what is most powerful.

Karen’s passion as a Social Worker is to uplift, inform, empower, and assist "All" clients with creating avenues for success, with a great desire to focus on lower socioeconomic and at-risk populations.

Navigating life’s ever changing course can be daunting at times. Your thoughts and concerns truly matter. Having support to help guide you through, puts you at an advantage to better handle what challenges you might be facing. As a therapist, I can assist you with anxiety, depression, transitioning, emotional challenges, relationship/marital challenges and refreshers, adolescent concerns, parenting & family dynamics, identity discovery and so much more. I do so by fostering authenticity, a positive, safe and nonjudgmental atmosphere. You will have my undivided attention in order to provide you with the best opportunity to process.

Tired of hating your body? Of waiting until you lose weight to pursue your goals or dreams? Do you struggle with binge or emotional eating and want to be able to enjoy food again? Do you have a medical condition like PCOS that makes it difficult to trust your body? Imagine spending your days focused on the people, activities, and ideas you love. Free from negative thinking, fear of food, and body hate. It is possible! You deserve to enjoy food, to move in ways that feel joyful, and to treat your body kindly and gently. I help people feel at home in their bodies, make peace with food, and live fuller lives.

With sensitivity and compassion, I assist clients with finding solutions to a wide range of life challenges and psychological issues. I work hard at being nonjudgmental and I'm viewed as being highly knowledgeable, innovative, empathetic and a true advocate for children and families experiencing crises and/or trauma. My special clinical interest is providing individual, couple and family therapy which is client-centered, solution-focused and cognitive-behavioral in nature. I provide effective therapeutic services through the use humor, understanding and compassion with all clients.

GoldStar Counseling & Wellness Center provides client-centered, therapeutic services for individuals seeking constructive solutions to regain daily, emotional stability. Key areas of focus are: sexual, emotional and physical abuse, childhood/adult trauma, depression, grief and loss, anxiety, anger management, relational problems, PTSD in addition to substance abuse and other addictions. GoldStar Counseling & Wellness Center prides itself in providing a safe, welcoming environment for clients to engage in non-judgmental conversations under the trusted guidance of our licensed therapists. Clients have the benefit of exploring both our coaching and counseling services to ensure the most effective results. Ultimately, we listen to and assess each client’s needs based on their unique set of experiences and desired goals, to provide them with the most appropriate pathway for progress. Located in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina, GoldStar Counseling & Wellness Center is proud to serve clients in the Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem, Charlotte, RTP, and surrounding areas.

Showing up as your authentic self can be a journey, but you don't have to do it alone. If you've ever felt the weight of anxiety,unhealthy cycles,expectations,responsibilities,stress,guilt,depression,life transitions & a lack of motivation; let's lighten your load! Your best self involves holding yourself accountable, setting the bar high,& preparing for outcomes-but this can come at an expense. Being the strongest person you know can be isolating; overwhelmed & anxious are your default emotions,& your work is never done. Your ideal version of yourself can make you feel like who you are now isn't good enough or deserving of a break.

I have been a practicing psychotherapist for over 20 years. I have had the opportunity to work within very unique and challenging clinical settings, including within a school, within a psychiatric center, within a residential campus and for the past decade within my current outpatient practice. The aforementioned settings have afforded a wealth of empirically based mental health insight and training, while also allowing efforts to gather invaluable clinical experiences working with adults and adolescents, dealing with mental health issues ranging from anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder and various other personality disorders.

Do you find yourself struggling in your day-to-day life, whether it be with anxiety, depression, interpersonal issues, or other life stressors? Are you looking for someone who will provide empathy and non-judgement to help you process these difficulties and collaborate with you on creating tools for change? I would love the opportunity to work with you! As a therapist I strive to work with you to discover your strengths, develop and maintain effective coping strategies and skills to facilitate change, and provide support for the difficulties you may be going through.

My highest priority is to respect the integrity, faith and values of each person. I work with a variety of people and have an extensive psychodynamic and psychoanalytic background, advanced degrees in Psychology and Theology, and decades of clinical experience with persons and families in crisis. I welcome clients from any (or no) faith tradition. I have decades of experience working with people struggling with loss, grief, anxiety, depression and relationship issues. Visit me at www.drdavidfranzen.com. I'd be honored to walk alongside you as you journey toward greater wholeness, and health.