Prolonged Exposure Therapy in Clyde, NC

I value the therapist-client relationship above all else. Studies show it as one of the highest predictors of success. As such, our relationship will be conversational, sometimes challenging, sometimes humorous, and always attentive to your needs and goals in both the short and long-term. I will not pressure you to do what you do not wish to do, but I will ask that you set new challenges for yourself that we both feel you can achieve. And I will be your advocate through the struggles to reach a better understanding and experience in this life.

Life's transitions can be challenging, and it's completely normal to experience mood disturbances during these times. My passion lies in guiding and empowering adults facing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, bipolar I or II, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. I believe in a collaborative, strengths-based approach to therapy. Together, we'll work on establishing achievable goals and finding healthy solutions to the issues you're facing. It's crucial to address your unique needs and build a path toward recovery that suits you best. In person and Telehealth appointments available.

Our licensed therapists have extensive training and experience in issues affecting adults, couples, children, adolescents and their families. We specialize in treating a range of conditions including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, attachment, addiction, grief, women/men's issues, ADHD, oppositional/defiance, trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, OCD, and much more. We also offer extensive effective parenting training if your child is oppositional, defiant, and sometimes even aggressive.

An ideal client would be someone who has possibly done some therapy work in the past, and still feels stuck in the area of relationships, addictions, trauma, grief or loss or someone who has never been to therapy previously. There are many places to get stuck in life, I find it interesting to find ways out of that place.

When we are not feeling at our best due to stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, addiction etc., it effects every other aspect of our lives. It takes strength and courage to recognize that something needs to change. I like to work with my clients in a collaborative and supportive style that provides a blend of coaching, interactive interventions and by instilling hope about their future. Where you are today does not mean that you have to be there tomorrow

A common misconception of counseling is that it is meant to "fix" an individual. More accurately, it is a catalyst for emotional stability, successful relationships, and satisfaction in life. Counseling is meant to build upon one's existing strengths resulting in the ability to manage stress in a healthier way. Often one's innate resiliency is overlooked and problems are approached with the assumption of a deficiency or "illness." A more positive, strength based, approach leads to a more intentional life with a grounded presence.

Are you overwhelmed and depleted by the historic stressors of the past several years…or decades? Has your role as a parent or partner diminished your sense of self? Does acknowledging your own needs trigger your inner critic and feelings of guilt? I am a seasoned cognitive behavioral therapist with additional specialization in pregnancy/postpartum mental health and couples therapy. As social beings, our relationships can be powerful catalysts for personal healing and growth. Many former clients describe how deepening intimate bonds in the present brings healing to past wounds and long-held insecurities.

My goal is to help people of all ages to face life's difficulties and become happier and healthier. I give support and guidance, backed with years of experience, and can assist you in discovering who you are and where you want to be.

Sometimes making it through the day is an uphill battle. Things you used to love no longer seem to be enjoyable, everyday tasks are overwhelming, and existing is starting to feel exhausting. Other times you don't feel terrible, but you don't feel good either. You know you aren't quite your usual self but despite all your effort to fix it things just aren't where you want them to be - you're feeling stuck no matter how much progress you make. If this sounds familiar, I can provide you with support to find a foothold to help you start living your life again.

Sometimes life can be overwhelming and it can feel like we are stuck. At times our attempts to deal with challenging situations, thoughts, and feelings don't work and can even work against us. The things we do that help in the short-term can backfire in the long run and get in the way of living with purpose. If you would like to learn science-backed methods that help you respond effectively to challenging thoughts, feelings, and situations, and move towards what you determine to be a meaningful life, my approach to therapy will be helpful.

If sleep is a basic human function, why is it so damn difficult? We hear all the time the dangers associated with not sleeping the magical eight hours each night. For those of us for whom sleep does not come easily, those messages do nothing but reinforce fear and anxiety. Hours laying awake wondering if we’ll ever sleep lead to more anxiety and sleeplessness. We relive the day: what mistakes did I make because I was too tired to think clearly? We think through the next day’s responsibilities: what can I get away with canceling? Medications only work short-term, if at all. Will the bed ever be more than a torture chamber?

My approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, acceptance, and mindfulness. I am an expert in the field of post-traumatic growth and am skilled in working with trauma and addiction. I am passionate about helping people manage distress and to connect with meaning and purpose in life. I strive to be genuine and authentic, incorporating humor and warmth to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and respectful space for healing. I am committed to facilitating a transformative experience which will help you to deepen and make desired changes to truly thrive in your life.

At some point during the complex journey of life we all experience stuck points, emotional suffering, and sometimes an emotional crisis. It my deeply held belief, however, that we all have the innate ability to recover, heal and thrive. Providing an environment that facilitates healing and resilience is tremendously life-affirming work. I trust that each one of us has tremendous wisdom and strength. In partnership, we identify growth areas, goals, and strategies. Although it is essential that therapy is nurturing and nourishing, it is also hard work. I admire anyone who has the courage to push themselves out of their comfort zones.

When I was an adolescent I was a Bart Simpson. I was routinely sent to the office, struggled with peer relationships and had frequent conflicts with authority figures. I relate well with teen and young adult males because I still partake in skating, lifting, and gaming. It can be difficult navigating the labyrinths of life, be it conflicts with parents, the effects of divorce, the aftermath of abuse, etc. Long story short, with good decisions and coping skills, you can overcome your problems and correct the course of your ship.

Engaging in therapy is an important commitment and can be difficult to fit in with the rest of life's responsibilities. Perhaps you've tried therapy before and found it unhelpful, or worry that constant engagement in therapy is required for lasting change. Trying to cope with the aftermath of trauma, or the way anxiety symptoms can disrupt a day, or having the same fight again and again with a partner can seem to take all of your energy and motivation. Life is often stressful and chaotic, and the times when we feel most stretched thin are the times we need the most support and change.

Are you living with depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, lack of direction, trauma? I believe that we naturally feel a call to live meaningful, loving lives and know intuitively that this is our best path but we often will feel stuck, unsure, fearful and so take no action. Existential therapy calls this a restricted existence and believes the goal of all therapy is to remove the road blocks that are limiting you from moving toward living your best life.

Therapy provides an opportunity to better understand one's thoughts, feelings, behaviors & relationships. I provide confidential and supportive individual, couples & group talk therapy in a comfortable setting. I respect each client's unique background and journey and work within a collaborative framework to assist them in achieving relief, empowerment and self-awareness. I believe that difficult feelings can be a gateway to personal growth and greatly enjoy the opportunity to guide others through their challenges and where they feel stuck.

I am a licensed doctoral level clinical psychologist who provides individual and couple therapy. My approach is individualized based on the specific needs and goals of each client or couple and involves providing warmth and genuineness. My role is to assist you in gaining insight and perspective into the obstacles that are limiting you from living the life that you desire using a supportive and non-judgmental style that will facilitate personal exploration.