Secular and Non-Religious Therapists in Raleigh, NC
I enjoy helping teens, young adults, couples and families in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida achieve their counseling goals using research based strategies and techniques. I am trained in trauma informed techniques such as TF-CBT and EMDR. I also enjoy incorporating mindfulness, yoga, art and play into the therapeutic experience.
I enjoy helping teens, young adults, couples and families in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida achieve their counseling goals using research based strategies and techniques. I am trained in trauma informed techniques such as TF-CBT and EMDR. I also enjoy incorporating mindfulness, yoga, art and play into the therapeutic experience.
Cuaresma Counseling,
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, MA, LCMHCA, NCC
Raleigh, NC 27601
No waitlist as of 4/1! Have you experienced a surge in anxiety due to a life transition? Has fear prevented your ability to engage in meaningful activities? I believe motivated Gen Z and Millennial adults can healthily adapt when they are understood and empowered. I start by listening to your story, including needs and present challenges. I help by creating a tailored approach that fits you. Your plan gets you anchored and moving with purpose, clarity, and confidence. Yes, you can achieve your desired, meaningful change and heal from challenging life moments, including trauma. You can keep the past out of the present.
No waitlist as of 4/1! Have you experienced a surge in anxiety due to a life transition? Has fear prevented your ability to engage in meaningful activities? I believe motivated Gen Z and Millennial adults can healthily adapt when they are understood and empowered. I start by listening to your story, including needs and present challenges. I help by creating a tailored approach that fits you. Your plan gets you anchored and moving with purpose, clarity, and confidence. Yes, you can achieve your desired, meaningful change and heal from challenging life moments, including trauma. You can keep the past out of the present.
Openings for 2026:
Navigating life suddenly feels like an uphill struggle. You may be grieving a loss, wondering if you should stay in the relationship that "isn't that bad," stuck in limbo on the same problem with no end in sight. You tell yourself you should have this all figured out by now. You are surprised by your own intrusive thoughts and it's not stuff you want to say to your friends. It isn't advice you crave, it's being heard and gotten. Maybe you are terrified of being alone at this stage. Maybe you want things to change in your relationship but it feels so hopeless and exhausting. You seek solution, not endless thinking.
Openings for 2026:
Navigating life suddenly feels like an uphill struggle. You may be grieving a loss, wondering if you should stay in the relationship that "isn't that bad," stuck in limbo on the same problem with no end in sight. You tell yourself you should have this all figured out by now. You are surprised by your own intrusive thoughts and it's not stuff you want to say to your friends. It isn't advice you crave, it's being heard and gotten. Maybe you are terrified of being alone at this stage. Maybe you want things to change in your relationship but it feels so hopeless and exhausting. You seek solution, not endless thinking.
Dr. Lauren
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, PhD, LCMHC
2 Endorsed
Raleigh, NC 27607
Waitlist for new clients
On the surface, your life works. Beneath it, something feels empty, stalled, or quietly unraveling. You may be successful, intelligent, even admired—yet disconnected from meaning or from parts of yourself you can’t quite name. Perhaps therapy has felt too surface-level before. Real change requires more than coping strategies; it asks us to understand the deeper patterns, defenses, and unconscious dynamics shaping your choices. If you’re ready for thoughtful, depth-oriented work, we can begin the process of integration and lasting transformation.
On the surface, your life works. Beneath it, something feels empty, stalled, or quietly unraveling. You may be successful, intelligent, even admired—yet disconnected from meaning or from parts of yourself you can’t quite name. Perhaps therapy has felt too surface-level before. Real change requires more than coping strategies; it asks us to understand the deeper patterns, defenses, and unconscious dynamics shaping your choices. If you’re ready for thoughtful, depth-oriented work, we can begin the process of integration and lasting transformation.
I help clients build a foundation for lasting change by creating mindset shifts that lead to long-term resilience. I take a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach. I also offer adult ADHD and autism assessments, as well as general diagnostic evaluation.
I help clients build a foundation for lasting change by creating mindset shifts that lead to long-term resilience. I take a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach. I also offer adult ADHD and autism assessments, as well as general diagnostic evaluation.
If you’ve been carrying the weight of a difficult past—struggling with family issues, trauma, or feeling stuck—you’re not alone. Whether it’s navigating strained relationships, unresolved childhood stress, or feeling like your past is holding you back, therapy can help you move forward. Many of my clients are millennials who’ve experienced tough family dynamics, emotional abuse, or a sense of disconnection from their true selves. You deserve a space where you can heal, grow, and start living more intentionally.
If you’ve been carrying the weight of a difficult past—struggling with family issues, trauma, or feeling stuck—you’re not alone. Whether it’s navigating strained relationships, unresolved childhood stress, or feeling like your past is holding you back, therapy can help you move forward. Many of my clients are millennials who’ve experienced tough family dynamics, emotional abuse, or a sense of disconnection from their true selves. You deserve a space where you can heal, grow, and start living more intentionally.
Do you find yourself in mental loops, getting stuck on "what if" questions and imagining worse case scenarios? Are you avoiding experiences, decisions, or opportunities because of anxiety? Do you feel exhausted trying to figure out what's going on in your mind? If so, you don’t have to go through this experience alone. I provide therapy to individuals 15+ and older with a primary focus on anxiety, OCD, life transitions, ADHD, relationship issues, and perfectionism. My goal as a therapist is to help you feel less controlled by anxiety and more connected with what makes your life meaningful!
Do you find yourself in mental loops, getting stuck on "what if" questions and imagining worse case scenarios? Are you avoiding experiences, decisions, or opportunities because of anxiety? Do you feel exhausted trying to figure out what's going on in your mind? If so, you don’t have to go through this experience alone. I provide therapy to individuals 15+ and older with a primary focus on anxiety, OCD, life transitions, ADHD, relationship issues, and perfectionism. My goal as a therapist is to help you feel less controlled by anxiety and more connected with what makes your life meaningful!
Have major parts of you been overshadowed by the stress of just trying to survive and get by? Have the expectations and demands from others to be a certain way left no room for self-discovery, acceptance and expansion? Painful past experiences, childhood trauma, and oppressive environments have taught many of us to silence our needs, prioritize others, not trust ourselves, and bury our true feelings. You are on the path to the next phase in your journey, and you don't have to navigate it alone. I know that even in light of the inner drive to reclaim authenticity, experiences from our past can linger and get in the way.
Have major parts of you been overshadowed by the stress of just trying to survive and get by? Have the expectations and demands from others to be a certain way left no room for self-discovery, acceptance and expansion? Painful past experiences, childhood trauma, and oppressive environments have taught many of us to silence our needs, prioritize others, not trust ourselves, and bury our true feelings. You are on the path to the next phase in your journey, and you don't have to navigate it alone. I know that even in light of the inner drive to reclaim authenticity, experiences from our past can linger and get in the way.
Sometimes life does not just change. It collapses. Divorce, custody conflict, betrayal, financial upheaval, and the sudden loss of the life you planned can leave you functioning on the outside while falling apart on the inside. I work with adults who need someone who understands both the emotional weight and the practical reality of rebuilding.
If you are navigating divorce or separation, co-parenting conflict, the aftermath of betrayal, or a life that looks nothing like what you planned, you are in the right place.
Sometimes life does not just change. It collapses. Divorce, custody conflict, betrayal, financial upheaval, and the sudden loss of the life you planned can leave you functioning on the outside while falling apart on the inside. I work with adults who need someone who understands both the emotional weight and the practical reality of rebuilding.
If you are navigating divorce or separation, co-parenting conflict, the aftermath of betrayal, or a life that looks nothing like what you planned, you are in the right place.
Trauma, pain, and learned patterns can be difficult to understand and navigate.
I have learned from personal experience as a lifelong client that having a caring guide can help us make sense of difficult circumstances and help us forge a path forward that gives us hope and strength.
I am passionate about helping people find their way through difficult emotions, patterns, and insecurities that affect their desire for a fulfilling life. I am passionate about helping people find their way through difficult emotions, patterns, and insecurities that affect their desire for a fulfilling life.
Trauma, pain, and learned patterns can be difficult to understand and navigate.
I have learned from personal experience as a lifelong client that having a caring guide can help us make sense of difficult circumstances and help us forge a path forward that gives us hope and strength.
I am passionate about helping people find their way through difficult emotions, patterns, and insecurities that affect their desire for a fulfilling life. I am passionate about helping people find their way through difficult emotions, patterns, and insecurities that affect their desire for a fulfilling life.
Accepting New Clients at a low cost!
I strive to provide an environment of saftey, accountability, and growth for all clients. I want to listen and sit with you as you work through trauma, hardships, and life experiences.
Individuals, families, or couples welcome!
I will help you navigate to a better, more balanced life. What are your personal values and beliefs? Who are you in this world that calls you to be so many things? What do you want out of every day? These are questions we will answer together on your terms to foster a better sense of self.
Accepting New Clients at a low cost!
I strive to provide an environment of saftey, accountability, and growth for all clients. I want to listen and sit with you as you work through trauma, hardships, and life experiences.
Individuals, families, or couples welcome!
I will help you navigate to a better, more balanced life. What are your personal values and beliefs? Who are you in this world that calls you to be so many things? What do you want out of every day? These are questions we will answer together on your terms to foster a better sense of self.
Marissa Hall
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSWA
4 Endorsed
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
You deserve a life filled with joy and inner peace, and that journey begins with truly understanding yourself and your unique story. Think of me as your guide to healing. I'm a person who's genuinely dedicated to your well-being. As someone who deeply understands trauma and shares the perspective of being a queer therapist, I offer a space where our shared experiences can foster connection and growth. Your experiences as a trauma survivor, LGBTQIA+, and/or neurodivergent individual are celebrated and welcomed here.
You deserve a life filled with joy and inner peace, and that journey begins with truly understanding yourself and your unique story. Think of me as your guide to healing. I'm a person who's genuinely dedicated to your well-being. As someone who deeply understands trauma and shares the perspective of being a queer therapist, I offer a space where our shared experiences can foster connection and growth. Your experiences as a trauma survivor, LGBTQIA+, and/or neurodivergent individual are celebrated and welcomed here.
Welcome! Are you looking for a space that feels like you are sitting on the couch having coffee with a friend? With over 20 years in the mental health field, I help adults and teens feel understood, supported, and empowered to create real change. As a DSM-5 field investigator, I blend expertise with genuine connection. I specialize in adults with ADHD and late-diagnosed autism, and teens navigating life’s challenges. My trauma-informed approach offers a safe space to heal, grow, and thrive as your authentic self.
Welcome! Are you looking for a space that feels like you are sitting on the couch having coffee with a friend? With over 20 years in the mental health field, I help adults and teens feel understood, supported, and empowered to create real change. As a DSM-5 field investigator, I blend expertise with genuine connection. I specialize in adults with ADHD and late-diagnosed autism, and teens navigating life’s challenges. My trauma-informed approach offers a safe space to heal, grow, and thrive as your authentic self.
You may feel overwhelmed, on edge, or emotionally exhausted without fully understanding why. Small moments can feel disproportionately intense, rest rarely feels restorative, and relationships may feel harder than they should. Even when life looks stable from the outside, something inside feels unsettled. These patterns often come from trauma—especially early or relational experiences that shaped how you learned to attach, cope, and protect yourself. Trauma may have shaped you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Healing begins by understanding its roots so you can grow beyond its branches.
You may feel overwhelmed, on edge, or emotionally exhausted without fully understanding why. Small moments can feel disproportionately intense, rest rarely feels restorative, and relationships may feel harder than they should. Even when life looks stable from the outside, something inside feels unsettled. These patterns often come from trauma—especially early or relational experiences that shaped how you learned to attach, cope, and protect yourself. Trauma may have shaped you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Healing begins by understanding its roots so you can grow beyond its branches.
Brent Michel
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, LCMHC
Raleigh, NC 27609
Waitlist for new clients
Hello! I know it can be overwhelming seeking out mental health services, I hope the information on this page can be of use to you. If any of your questions remain unanswered, don't hesitate to reach out. My greatest passion is the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as well as Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder and Chronic Insomnia. I'm trained in evidence-based treatments for these disorders, and am continuously developing my knowledge and skills. I also enjoy working with individuals dealing broadly with “problems of living”: stress, relationship difficulties, sense of purpose and satisfaction, etc.
Hello! I know it can be overwhelming seeking out mental health services, I hope the information on this page can be of use to you. If any of your questions remain unanswered, don't hesitate to reach out. My greatest passion is the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as well as Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder and Chronic Insomnia. I'm trained in evidence-based treatments for these disorders, and am continuously developing my knowledge and skills. I also enjoy working with individuals dealing broadly with “problems of living”: stress, relationship difficulties, sense of purpose and satisfaction, etc.
Are you surrounded by people, yet no one SEES you? You feel lost, misunderstood, maybe even invisible. You smile and say, "I'm fine," but inside, it's like screaming underwater—loud, and unheard. You tell yourself you'll be okay, but believing it is hard. Admitting you're struggling is hard. Are you asking for help, and still being overlooked? That hurts worse. I work with Millennials and Gen Z who are ready to stop hiding. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, nerds, and geeks — you're safe here. No masking. No pretending. Just a space to build YOUR version of happy. Reach out — you deserve to be seen & I am here to help you take up space!
Are you surrounded by people, yet no one SEES you? You feel lost, misunderstood, maybe even invisible. You smile and say, "I'm fine," but inside, it's like screaming underwater—loud, and unheard. You tell yourself you'll be okay, but believing it is hard. Admitting you're struggling is hard. Are you asking for help, and still being overlooked? That hurts worse. I work with Millennials and Gen Z who are ready to stop hiding. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, nerds, and geeks — you're safe here. No masking. No pretending. Just a space to build YOUR version of happy. Reach out — you deserve to be seen & I am here to help you take up space!
My ideal clients are adults facing stress, burnout, anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ concerns, and women’s or relational issues. They seek a safe, affirming space to process challenges shaped by personal and systemic factors, and want to gain practical tools, new perspectives, and greater self-compassion. They’re looking for therapy that honors their identity, empowers growth, and helps them navigate life with authenticity and resilience.
My ideal clients are adults facing stress, burnout, anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ concerns, and women’s or relational issues. They seek a safe, affirming space to process challenges shaped by personal and systemic factors, and want to gain practical tools, new perspectives, and greater self-compassion. They’re looking for therapy that honors their identity, empowers growth, and helps them navigate life with authenticity and resilience.
Maybe you feel like you don’t quite belong or struggle to trust your own worth. You might be carrying the weight of systemic oppression, intergenerational trauma, or the pressure to fit into a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. You want to heal, feel at home in yourself, and create a life that feels authentic and meaningful. I’m here to offer a space where you can show up fully and be met with care, empathy, and non-judgment. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ and BIPoC folks, as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers, from a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Maybe you feel like you don’t quite belong or struggle to trust your own worth. You might be carrying the weight of systemic oppression, intergenerational trauma, or the pressure to fit into a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. You want to heal, feel at home in yourself, and create a life that feels authentic and meaningful. I’m here to offer a space where you can show up fully and be met with care, empathy, and non-judgment. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ and BIPoC folks, as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers, from a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Accepting New Clients! If you're struggling with relationships, parenthood, or emotional dysregulation, welcome :) I enjoy working with people who want to gain a greater understanding of themselves, process generational trauma, understand the difficult dynamics of adult child-parent relationships, or parenting your own children. Where we've come from tells us a lot about what we need, and I love helping people understand their "why".
Accepting New Clients! If you're struggling with relationships, parenthood, or emotional dysregulation, welcome :) I enjoy working with people who want to gain a greater understanding of themselves, process generational trauma, understand the difficult dynamics of adult child-parent relationships, or parenting your own children. Where we've come from tells us a lot about what we need, and I love helping people understand their "why".
Life brings us to our limits, sometimes gently, sometimes painfully. I support adults and elders across all spectrums to investigate and navigate these forks in the road that push us to new territory. Whether you're in distress or seeking more insight, I am here to support you in 'understanding the assignment' and finding your way forward. Anxiety, panic, depression, alienation, grief, relational conflict may reflect myriad causes - biology, rigid thinking, social friction or oppression, trauma, identity distress, moral/spiritual dilemmas. "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen.
Life brings us to our limits, sometimes gently, sometimes painfully. I support adults and elders across all spectrums to investigate and navigate these forks in the road that push us to new territory. Whether you're in distress or seeking more insight, I am here to support you in 'understanding the assignment' and finding your way forward. Anxiety, panic, depression, alienation, grief, relational conflict may reflect myriad causes - biology, rigid thinking, social friction or oppression, trauma, identity distress, moral/spiritual dilemmas. "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen.
See more therapy options for Raleigh
Nearby Secular and Non-Religious Therapists Searches for Raleigh
- Apex
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Clayton
- Durham
- Fuquay Varina
- Garner
- Holly Springs
- Knightdale
- Morrisville
- Wake Forest
- Wendell
Secular and Non-Religious Therapists
What is a secular and non religious approach in therapy?
Secular or non-religious therapy is a theoretical orientation used by many therapists and describes a therapeutic approach that does not rely on any specific religious or faith-based beliefs in the therapeutic process. Secular counselors will often approach therapy with an emphasis on evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients, instead of relying on religious practices, such as prayer or belief in God.
Is secular therapy primarily for non-religious people?
Both religious and non-religious individuals can benefit from secular therapy. People exploring their religious or spiritual beliefs may find it especially useful to work with a secular therapist who is unbiased toward any specific religion. While religious individuals might value the connection and familiarity of seeing a counselor who shares their beliefs, secular counseling can offer them the chance to develop coping skills independent of their religious practice, which can be beneficial in various aspects of their lives.
Can a secular approach to therapy help with religious trauma?
One major reason clients may seek a secular therapist is to process previous religious experiences, including religious trauma. Secular therapists can help clients manage symptoms of the trauma through practices such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They can also encourage clients through talk therapy or psychodynamic approaches to explore the roots of their religious trauma. Since secular therapists do not have any predetermined religious beliefs, they can be particularly helpful for clients looking to explore their own religious beliefs following a history of religious trauma.
What does non religious marriage and premarital counseling involve?
Marriage and premarital counseling typically involves a couple meeting with a therapist to discuss topics such as planning for marriage, navigating a new marriage, addressing relationship challenges, and developing better communication and conflict resolution skills. Non-religious therapists assist couples in achieving these goals without adhering to specific religious beliefs or frameworks, often emphasizing inclusivity and non-judgment, especially for "nontraditional" couples. However, seeking couples therapy from a non-religious counselor does not mean religious topics are off-limits. In fact, non-religious couples from different religious backgrounds may benefit from a secular therapist who remains neutral toward the beliefs of each partner.