Therapists for college students near Durham, NC

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I work with teens, young adults, and parents navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, and growing self awareness. Many clients feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. I believe each person holds the insight and strength needed for growth, and my role is to be part of your team as you sort through thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Together, we slow down, build understanding, and create meaningful change while strengthening relationships, emotional awareness, and confidence in navigating life’s challenges.

Is worry or anxiety starting to overwhelm you? Are you having difficulty balancing your social life with school and other tasks? College can be a challenging change for many people. I can help you learn better ways to cope and find patterns that make your life a little easier. I provide online video therapy in addition to in person sessions for easy access to fit into your busy schedule. I also specialize in trauma, relationship concerns and substance use. Let's connect to see if I would be a good fit for your needs.

You are sitting in therapy watching your therapist's lips move while she tells you for the fourth time that her cousin is gay and just got a “very butch” haircut. You can’t help thinking, “She just doesn’t get it.” He misgenders you, or forgets your partner’s pronouns, she pulls out Food and Mood, and he talks about how apple cider vinegar might be the solution to all your problems. She hasn't lived in a fat body. He hasn’t experienced homophobia or heterosexism from the inside. What initially seemed like a small hill to climb in your relationship has started to feel like a mountain. Maybe she tells you your black top is so slimming. Maybe once he referred to queer people as ‘homosexuals.’ Maybe, when you report your experiences of oppression, she tells you that the other party probably meant well and just wanted you to be healthier or have it easier in the world. You don’t trust him with your whole self, how can you? You’ve tried so many therapists in the past and she’s not that bad, is she? You continue to hope that therapy with a therapist who doesn’t quite get it will be enough to meet your needs. It’s not enough. You deserve a therapist who understands your lived experiences. You deserve a therapist who knows what it’s like to have your doctor prescribe weight loss to treat arthritis in your wrists, and who can truly hear it when you tell them about your experience with your homophobic aunt at Thanksgiving. You deserve a therapist who approaches the world with a solid intersectional anti-oppression framework that sees society, rather than some flaw in you, as the central piece of your problem. I can be that therapist. I’m fat, I’m queer, I have an intersectional lens, and I want to dismantle systems of oppression one client session at a time.

My clients are exhausted and overwhelmed like you. They are tired of doing their best to keep all these balls (school, work, parenting, relationships, self-care, health and wellbeing, sleep + more) up in the air (even though admittedly they are pretty darn good at it). But when they inevitably drop a few because something else pops up or they get tired, life feels messy and they are quick to place judgements on themselves. My clients are expert problem solvers and doers, who in the face of stress, just keep going. Some are the type of person who the people in their life lean on for support. Some have tried a number of ways to fix or problem solve their way our of their emotions or exhaustion. They find their coping to work for a little bit but aren't moving them towards the life they imagined for themselves. Some realize they aren't sure they can keep up with all of what needs to be done to feel "okay". When some of my clients do take time for themselves or the rest they need, their mind struggles with feeling guilty, worrying about what they "should" be doing for work/school/person (fill in the blank with any responsibility). I help my clients get clearer on their wants, needs, and values while addressing some of the downfalls that come with always doing, fixing, and over functioning. I approach my work with clients through use of Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Somatic Experiencing. These two approaches help support internal reflection and clarity along with experiential, skills-based, and mindfulness practices.

Therapy for individuals and couples through a trauma-informed lens in a comfortable and casual space.

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Thrive Counseling and Wellness is a group private practice with office locations in Mooresville and Sherrills Ford. We opened our Mooresville location in January 2018, with our Sherrills Ford location following shortly thereafter in July 2020. Our exponential growth has been afforded to us because of our wonderful clients and strong professional relationships with others in the community. We are very lucky to serve such an amazing community and truly appreciate all the support thus far. We are continuing to diversify our services and treatment options, as well as continuing to find new ways to provide community outreach in our area. We are comprised of high-quality and exceptionally trained mental health therapists that provide an individualized approach to each client that comes in for treatment. Therapists at Thrive Counseling and Wellness have been hand-picked by the Executive Team to ensure the continuance of our stellar reputation in the area. We have a team that is able to work with most presenting issues within the practice. We truly appreciate the ability to provide in-house referrals to other therapists to serve clients in different ways. We have a diverse group of therapists that include female and male providers, as well as providers that are part of different minority populations such as LGBTQIA, age groups, and ethnic backgrounds. We are partnered with many PCPs, Psychiatrists, OBGYNS, Pediatricians and other providers in the area to assist with connecting you to other providers that may be needed for your treatment, as well as allows for continuity of care and collaboration for a well-rounded approach to your health. We also have wonderful relationships with local schools, attorneys, mediators, real estate agents, community resources, etc. to assist with other factors that may be present in your life. We believe in a systemic approach to your treatment because we recognize that external factors may be impacting your mental health, which allows us to assist with connecting you to needed resources.

We believe that all people deserve to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. We also think the world would be a better place if everyone else believed this too (but that’s just us- we aren’t trying to impose our values on you). To that end, we ask that clinicians, admin staff, and fellow clients be treated with the same kindness, dignity, and respect you would offer to the person or animal (because let’s be honest, sometimes animals are easier to treat well) you love the most. And, we expect ourselves to provide that to you. If ever something rubs you the wrong way or doesn’t feel like it matches this value, please let us know, and we will work to hear you, develop an understanding of where you are coming from, and try to resolve the situation until you feel your needs have been met. If that’s not possible, we will talk to you about options for the next steps.

My name is Kira (she/her) and I am here to help you heal relational wounds. Relationships are foundational to our experience. Connection, intimacy, and feelings of safety are all tied into the relationships formed with ourselves, our communities, and even the natural world. These interactions, or lack thereof, shape our stories and affirm the kind of narratives we tell ourselves about the world around us. You and I’s relationship will act as a conduit for understanding these messages with the intention of cultivating greater connectedness. If relationships are the chapters within our stories, identity is the color and context that fills the pages. Our roles and identities are interwoven together to create the way in which we move through the world. My experience as the eldest child to Caribbean immigrants informed me of this at an early age as I realized not all of my parts of self were allowed expression. I came to understand that the cumulative burdens of family, society, and ancestry not only impacted myself, but everyone around me. The persistent stigma and lack of accessibility for quality mental health care is just one example of these collective burdens. For that reason, my practice is rooted in the belief that decolonizing mental health is essential for fostering genuine healing. I aim to expand traditional frameworks by valuing cultural diversity and understanding the role of historical trauma in shaping individual experiences. Together, we will navigate the impact of these legacies on mental health, promoting an inclusive and holistic therapeutic process. I look forward to connecting with you soon.

You’re already doing something hard just by being here. Reaching out for support isn’t easy—especially when life feels overwhelming and everything inside you feels tangled. It’s not just one thing. It’s everything. Confusion, stress, heartbreak, fear, loneliness, sadness, anger—sometimes all at once. And when you’ve been through difficult experiences, it makes sense that this has become your normal. But you’re tired of pretending you’re okay. Tired of holding it all together while quietly falling apart. When was the last time you felt present in your own life? Confident in who you are? Or even just able to slow down and take care of yourself without guilt? What if you didn’t have to keep pushing your feelings down or hiding from them? What if you could actually understand them—and feel more at ease in your own mind and body? I specialize in working with young women who feel overwhelmed by life, relationships, and their own thoughts—often shaped by both past and present pain. Together, we create space to process what you’ve been carrying so you can find clarity, steadiness, and a stronger sense of yourself again.

Equip is the leading evidence-based virtual eating disorder treatment program on a mission to ensure that everyone with an eating disorder has access to treatment that works. Built by clinical experts in the eating disorder field and those who have experienced eating disorders firsthand, Equip fills the gaps in today’s insufficient eating disorder landscape. We provide fully virtual, evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary care team (which includes a medical provider, therapist, dietitian, and trained mentors), allowing each patient to achieve full recovery without disrupting their life. We treat patients of all ages and diagnoses in all 50 states, and we accept most insurance plans.

My therapy animals and I have worked with students for decades to guide and empower them in navigating life stressors/transitions, anxiety and relationship issues. Students who have sessions with me build tools for resiliency and coping that work for them. I am client centered, meet you where you are and provide a safe compassionate space to share!

Are you struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, or your sense of identity? Are you at a point where something has to change but you just don’t know where to start? My goal is to help you find that starting point. I understand that many of us struggle with getting by on a day to day basis. High levels of stress can impact our mood, interactions with those close to us, even our performance at work or school. Allow me to aid you in managing the stress that you experience. I work from a person-centered and trauma-informed approach, providing you a safe space to enter the therapy setting as you are and work toward your goals. I will help you in increasing your self-understanding, communicating your needs, identifying your strengths, and working through the roadblocks of life. Ready to take the first step? I know change may not be easy, but I believe we all have it in us to become the best version of ourselves. Versions that are better able to handle the everyday stressors of life. I will meet you where you are, to help you become who you want to be. I’m happy to support you along your journey.

Daya Mental Health and Wellness provides treatment for a diverse range of behavioral health concerns. Our team specializes in providing a personalized approach to care, designed to decrease the impact of symptoms on daily life and to increase independence by using therapy and medication management.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice. I work mainly through insight-oriented psychotherapy, but I also offer diagnostic evaluations and prescribing services. Patients see me for a variety of concerns around self-esteem, trauma, attachment, dependency, boundaries, self-criticism, and childhood abuse/neglect. These issues may lead to shame, guilt, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, perfectionism, self-loathing, or repeated conflicts with family, colleagues, or romantic partners. Therapy is a chance to think carefully together about your past and present experiences to deepen your insight into your situation. As we come to understand your inner world, I hope you will gradually notice a greater sense of flexibility, freedom, and openness to life's many joys and challenges. As a psychiatrist, I am happy to help with diagnostic clarification and medical treatment of most general psychiatric conditions including mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, and others. While medications alone often fail to address the deeper conflicts and traumas that cause our symptoms, a thoughtful approach to prescribing can help build a foundation for the personal work that leads to lasting change. I have special experience working with university students and early career professionals in medicine, academia, law, tech, and the arts. I enjoy working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and I welcome and affirm those who may identify as LGBTQIA+ or neurodivergent.

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You found me! If you're tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, riddled with anxiety or struggling with unwanted feelings and want to make a lifestyle change, then you have already taken the first step. I recognize how difficult it can be to seek out therapy and my passion for helping others has encouraged me to develop a supportive environment for clients to engage in treatment. As a therapist, I will actively listen to your experiences and help you process your emotions. I find it important to create a comfortable, nonjudgmental, and safe space for exploration into deeper meaning and understanding. I have experience with individuals specializing in work with adolescents, young adults, and adults. I am trained in therapeutic methods which include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), DBT, psycho-dynamic, IFS, EMDR, person-centered and solution focused therapy. I tailor the process to the needs, preferences, and strengths of each client. My past experience includes providing school-based services along with substance abuse and mental health counseling within outpatient and intensive outpatient care settings. I have experience working with individuals and families in areas including anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, ADHD, behavioral issues, grief/loss, and adjustment issues.

I specialize in working with neurodivergent clients and the LGBTQ+ community. I also see individuals facing grief, trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am so glad you reached my profile! I have experience working with individuals impacted by trauma, anxiety, depression, and other life challenges. I use a number of evidence-based practices when working with clients. I am down-to-earth, nonjudgemental, and focused on you feeling safe in the session. Email if you have any questions!