Therapists for college students near Durham, NC

My name is Shameca D. Ricks . I am a native of the Drakes Community in Battleboro, NC. In 2000, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Gerontological Studies. Upon graduation, I worked for nine years as a Director of Social Services within nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. I worked closely with hospice residents, assisting families in making decisions surrounding end of life care. In 2013, I graduated with a Master's Degree in Social Work specializing in Substance Abuse Treatment from East Carolina University. Recently, I have worked with children and adolescents with childhood mental health disorders. I also work with adults providing individual, marital, and family counseling. I am also an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist who has experience in working with all gender identities across this spectrum. If you are experiencing challenges with substance abuse, anxiety, depression, stress, mood disorders, or simply need a helping hand with life difficulties, I am here to help. I strive to provide a relaxed and comfortable environment that promotes trust and healing. We are facing difficult times in the world and I am dedicated to walking with you every step of the way as you do not have to do life alone. My therapeutic approach is eclectic and tailored to the needs of the individual. I utilize CBT, Strengths-Based, DBT, and Solutions Focused approaches to provide practical strategies, behavioral change, and personal growth. It does not matter who you are or what you have been through, you can recover!

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of combined experience in mental health and career development services. I have served as a member of the North Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work since 2017. My direct practice experience began as an employment counselor providing support and counseling to individuals experiencing transitions in employment. Over the last four years, I’ve practiced as a licensed mental health therapist providing office based and in-home outpatient therapy to individuals and families in rural counties of North Carolina. Building rapport and understanding the needs of my clients are attributes tied closely to my professional values. I will partner with you to assist you in meeting your personal and professional goals. I will be your advocate. My ideal clients are adults ages 18 to 45. I provide both individual and couples counseling. My primary treatment modalities are Cognitive Behavioral and Solution-Focused Therapy. If you’d like to meet to determine if we are a good fit, request a virtual appointment to receive a 15-minute complimentary consultation. I look forward to hearing from you.

College can feel exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. I work with students navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, identity concerns, relationship stress, and big life transitions. My approach is attachment-based and trauma-informed, which means I focus on building a safe and supportive space where you can feel understood. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way and develop strategies that help you feel more confident, balanced, and connected.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in NC and SC. My clinical experience encompasses working at multiple university counseling centers. There, I have supported students and postdocs of various ages (young adults to those in middle adulthood) through therapy. Whether you are navigating challenging life adjustments, the transition to college, anxiety, relationship concerns, concerns related to racial identity, grief, academic or career stress, or other concerns, there is hope for healing and growth. When it comes to therapy, I seek to empower clients to recognize their capabilities and move toward beneficial change. Through warmth, encouragement, and compassion, I aim to build a collaborative relationship with clients and create a safe, nonjudgmental space. I seek to meet each client's individual needs, believing there is no "one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment. To do this, I draw techniques from different modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindful self-compassion (MSC), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). If you are ready to take the next step and see if we are a good fit, I invite you to reach out.

I specialize in meeting with people experiencing anxiety, attention difficulty, impulsive/risk-taking behaviors, depression, and interpersonal conflict. My first priority is in collaborating with my clients to create spaces where change feels possible. I am especially attentive to the ideas of reducing stigma surrounding mental health care, trust associated with strict confidentiality, and increasing motivation using strengths- and evidence-based techniques. I bring an integrative approach to therapy, combining aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and DBT (including Mindfulness) to find the best way forward for each client. I have experiences working with clients of all ages, across different clinical settings. I spent much of the past decade living and working overseas, managing an Eco-Lodge in northern Malawi, teaching English at a hagwon in South Korea, and working remotely as a therapist from Brazil. I enjoy playing basketball, reading (mostly sci-fi!), rock climbing, and managing far too many podcast subscriptions.

I enjoy working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Compassion, warmth, and objectivity are just some of the values I offer to clients I serve. My clients are accepted for who they are while receiving encouragement to become self-aware, grow and thrive within their communities. My goal is to create a safe space for reviving the soul, mind, will, and emotions. I strive to assist clients in rebuilding weakened relationships while also assisting them in their own personal restoration. I also have a passion for working with clients who identify themselves as members of LGBTQ+. System Counseling, as well as Cognitive-Behavioral and Cognitive Restructuring approaches, are blended with Motivational Interviewing techniques to form the basic theoretical foundation of my work with clients. I offer Individual, Couples, and Marriage Counseling, Christian Counseling, Life and Executive Coaching, Consultation, and Clinical supervision. I believe in your ability to find the answers to your life’s dilemmas. I see myself as a facilitator within the therapeutic relationship, providing objective guidance and support, as well as, challenging unhealthy thought processes while creating a warm, accepting, and soothing environment in which to work. Let’s redesign the life you were created to live.

It is my goal to provide a space where you feel heard, appreciated and inspired. I specialize in assisting those who are experiencing anxiety, depression, isolation, frustration and various life challenges; dysfunction related to family/friends/work/romantic relationships; challenges with relationship building; and individuals with a history of foster care/adoption who want to explore related emotions. What you can expect is an experience tailored to you. I am encouraging, supportive and compassionate.

Let me ask you a few questions. Let me know if any of this applies to you. Do you often find yourself feeling tired, stressed out, overwhelmed at work, unable to focus, or constantly feeling you need a break? How about this, when you finally take a break or vacation you notice that you don't enjoy the time away because there is a laundry list of things  you feel you should be doing or need to get done before you can relax? Have you found that you have a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep because you are thinking or worrying about any and everything when you just need to get some rest? IF any of this is you, when would you like to get started working with me?

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 approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can show up honestly. Together, we’ll work toward better self-understanding, more effective coping tools, and a stronger sense of confidence and direction. I work with kids, teens, college students, and adults navigating anxiety, perfectionism, ADHD, relationship challenges, identity exploration, low self-esteem, and major life transitions. Finding a therapist you actually feel comfortable with matters. If you are interested in an introduction call, I’d love to connect.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I enjoy living in the corners and at the fringes of what stereotypical therapy might look like. It is important to me that those who are outcasts, quirky, different, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and the marginalized feel heard. When we work together, I want you to feel like you matter (because you do). If you like the utilization of tarot and oracle cards, we can incorporate that. If you need resources on affirming places to practice spirituality, we can look at those. If you want to talk about kink communities and how to get involved with them, we can find them. Whatever works for you works for me, and I want to help you figure that out.

I specialize in women’s mental health and provide virtual therapy for young adult women navigating anxiety, academic stress, life transitions, executive functioning challenges, relationship concerns, and self-esteem.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist associate at Cornerstone Counseling. I am a millennial that truly believes in changing the perception of therapy by providing down to earth counseling in a space where you can be authentically yourself.

Feeling stuck in your behaviors and patterns but don’t know how to break free from the cycle? Or maybe you’ve made a few changes 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. We all want to be 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. As an LGBTQIA+, transgender, and BIPOC affirmative counselor serving in NC and SC, I work with clients experiencing the following concerns: anxiety, stress, depression, trauma and PTSD, self esteem, grief, men's issues, and internet addiction. I work with the following age population: teen, adults, and elders. In working together, we may explore a few of the following approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Humanistic, Person-Centered, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma Focused. Text/call 980-484-3728 for your free consultation or submit an inquiry at esmaycounseling.com. I look forward to meeting you!

Life is full of challenges that can bring feelings of anxiety, sadness, fear, or uncertainty. Problems may seem too overwhelming to face or too complex to untangle. Whether you’re working through long-standing difficulties or navigating a particularly tough time, I’m here to help. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck and identify ways to create meaningful change in your life and relationships. I work with clients on a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, boundaries, self-esteem, life transitions, intimacy/sexual concerns, and family dynamics. My approach is rooted in experiential and attachment theories and the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. I believe you are the expert on your life, and my role is to support and guide you toward healing and growth in ways that align with your unique needs. Reach out to me today with any questions or to schedule an appointment. I look forward to working with you!

I have spent over 20+ years serving the mental health needs of college students. I enjoy working with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, recognizing that each group experiences unique challenges. While I specialize in trauma and eating disorders, I am skilled in working with students who experience a wide range of mental health issues. I use a culturally-informed lens that considers how identity impacts mental health, especially for those who experience marginalization. I welcome and affirm clients across the spectrums of ethnicity, sexuality, gender, ability, spirituality, and class.

People often hear “just go to therapy” or “focus on healing” but not enough is said about how complex that process can feel. Healing can feel uncertain. You may know something needs to shift but not know where to start. It can feel like progress and setbacks are happening at the same time. It can also feel like wanting support but not yet having the words for it. If that sounds familiar you are not alone. As a Holistic Mental Health Therapist I support clients in reconnecting with themselves and building a sense of safety in mind body and spirit. I integrate evidence based practices with mindfulness breathwork meditation and trauma informed yoga to support nervous system regulation and emotional grounding. You do not have to figure it all out alone. There is space here for your story and your process.

Are your imposter syndrome and perfectionism besties? You’re high energy, curious, spontaneous, and fun to be around! But you’ve just forgotten another important birthday or missed another huge deadline. You’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you have to do and it never feels like you have enough time to do them. Maybe you’re also feeling stuck or stagnant in your career, it was something you were passionate about but now it’s unfulfilling. You're living for your next PTO but it doesn't matter how long it is, it's not enough to feel rested. And maybe you wonder… is this just what adulting is like now? Clients come to me needing someone who can help get to the root of their problems, because therapy should be a place where you find peace beyond just what’s wrong today. Therapy sessions are a combination of talking and exercises—whatever makes sense for you. We will always go at your pace, never pushing to place you’re not ready to be. Let's work together to help you be fully present in the important moments in your life, whether it's breakfast with your family or an important presentation, and spending your time doing what you're uniquely gifted to do, what brings you the greatest joy, and allows you to make your deepest contribution to the world. Schedule your free strategy call today!