Therapists for college students near Duke University

Do you feel like you are strapped on a roller coaster of anxiety and depression and can't get off the ride? We can feel out of control because of life changes, relationships, and significant events. We can become stuck in our own unhealthy thoughts, emotions, actions, and responses. Sometimes we hyper-focus on relationships and fixing other people. Or we may develop unhealthy patterns when using things outside of ourselves to experience immediate relief and help us cope. This may include alcohol, marijuana, pills, food, porn, exercise, gaming, social media, shopping, and gambling. You need somewhere safe to talk about the hard stuff. Every person has difficulties that feel overwhelming at some point in their lives. Being willing to ask for assistance is a courageous gift to yourself. I find it gratifying to help people struggling with anxiety and depression related to challenges in life and relationships. You are worth your own effort in becoming a healthier version of yourself! I look forward to being a part of the journey!

I am a licensed mental health professional with a background in counseling and over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling and am dedicated to providing evidence-based therapy tailored to each client’s unique needs. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, and stress management. I strive to create a safe, collaborative environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to achieve their goals.

After trauma, we reach for whatever coping skill is closest in order to survive. We may turn to substances, self-harm, intellectualizing, perfectionism, etc. This helps us soothe, distract, and numb from feelings of shame, guilt, anger and fear. Still, our unprocessed emotions can overwhelm–morphing into anxiety, depression, rage, dissociation, or hyper-vigilance. However, this only represents a part of us and our experiences. We contain creativity, empathy, resilience, & intuition. Through our strengths, we increase our tolerance, release survival skills that no longer serve us, and return to our most liberated and aligned self. I specialize in addiction, anxiety, trauma, marriage counseling, and depression. I am also trained in Brainspotting, a trauma treatment, which involves less invasive talk therapy & quicker response times for healing, when compared to EMDR. For marriage & couples counseling, I am trained in the Gottman Method. We all have an innate and intuitive ability to heal and transform, yet healing is not a destination. Rather, it is a continual process that we may deviate from and rediscover repeatedly throughout our lifetime. I am here to sit with you in your pain, your recovery, your joy and everywhere in between. Please reach out. You are worthy of support.

I enjoy working with a variety of adult populations including LGBTQIA+, first responders, active and retired military members, their families, and dependents. I've assisted clients through their journey with grief, PTSD, relationship stresses, depression, and mood disorders for the past 5 years. If you are struggling with intrusive thoughts, depression, isolation, or anxiety I am happy to assist you in uncovering the source of these concerns and work with you toward getting back to a more positive place in your life.

I specialize in working with anxiety disorders and OCD. My goal is to help you build confidence in handling anxious thoughts, reduce avoidance and reassurance seeking behaviors, and feel more in control instead of stuck. My approach is warm, person-centered, and strengths-based, using cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure-based work, and mindfulness strategies to reduce anxiety and OCD patterns over time. I offer virtual sessions across North Carolina. Feel free to reach out to see if we are a good fit! I'm excited to connect with you!

Do you feel like you are never good enough and that nothing will get better? Do you feel like you are the only one struggling with intense emotions and that there is no one to help you figure them out? Are you struggling with how you look and/or feel about yourself? Do you think everyone else has their life together and you don't? Do you experience highly intense emotions that seem to scare other people away? Are you excessively drinking alcohol, excessively spending money, isolating yourself from others, having sex but immediately regretting it afterwards? Do you ever have shame surrounding how you feel? Do you feel marginalized or are you part of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you wanting something different and looking for an alternative approach to counseling? Have you been dissatisfied with counseling in your past or hesitant to try? Finding the right therapist for you can be an overwhelming and scary task. The fear of not knowing how a therapist will accept your story can sometimes hold us back from reaching out. I want you to know that I will accept you where you are now AND help you get to where you want to go. I find passion in helping break through barriers associated with mental health, addictions, and identities. I believe that in order to treat an individual, the therapist needs to look at the WHOLE person. I'm here to help you to understand your own mental health. Click on the website link to hear my own story and my colleagues stories. When you come to an EXPERT in this area, you will leave with information on how to understand these feelings and how to use skills to manage them. I will meet you where you CURRENTLY are and help you get where you want to go. You can find a safe haven when working with me. I hold the space for compassion, acceptance, and the belief in your ability to thrive as you learn to do the same for yourself. After having a session, wouldn’t it be nice to say “What’s next…” and not “What if…”

Sometimes we can feel as if on a mountaintop with a sense of clarity and other times in a valley unable to see the next step. Life is a journey with experiences and seasons where we can all use some help along the way. Whether it be marriage, dating, work, friendships, or family dynamics, relationships can be complex. Through life's complexities we can learn and grow. I believe everyone deserves to experience joy and live an abundant life. By living authentically to ourselves and others we can become the best version of ourselves. My desire is to meet you where you are and collaboratively work with you to reach your full potential. My experience includes addiction counseling, grief work, mens issues, couples counseling, trauma counseling, veteran-specific counseling, and working with adolescents on behavioral issues in their family system. I can also provide music therapy as a board-certified music therapist. Creating change is an active choice and one that is empowering and takes courage to implement. At times we all need help, especially when life gets complex and problems occur. I can relate to life's complexity and extend empathy in your process. My goal is to walk alongside you and provide tools with the mindset that you are the expert of your own life.

Johanna believes in change. Her therapy is not just talking; it is working with you to achieve your goals and see results. Johanna has expertise working with anxiety, mood, and personality disorders. She also has many years working with clients struggling with disordered eating behaviors. Johanna has been trained in various methods to address trauma and the impact of trauma on clients' lives. Also, Johanna is licensed in several states, which allow clients to continue their therapy journey if you are a college student or need to travel for work. Johanna utilizes treatment modalities such as ACT, CBT, & DBT which aim to solve problems concerning overwhelming emotions, behaviors, and cognitions, while increasing effective skills. She is trained in EMDR which is a highly effective therapy addressing trauma issues. Also, her therapy utilizes a strength based approach, one that focuses on the positives. Johanna has nearly 20 years of experience in the mental health field working with a variety of clients. By combining a supportive approach with an accepting environment, she knows together you can meet your goals! Johanna looks forward to working with you! (She is licensed in the states of CT, FL, GA, IA, NC, SC, & TN.)

My clients often struggle with challenges in their relationship’s whether they be romantic, friendly, or family relationships. My clients worry about abandonment, often finding issues from their past show up and negatively affect their relationships. Some feel they may be in a codependent relationship but not sure. Our work together will help you understand how past pain affects present relationships. Then we will work at unpacking that baggage, organize it, and put it away in a safe place. Although it may never truly go away, you can confront it in a way that allows you to move forward and find happiness. My goal is to get to know you and the issues that bring you to counseling. We will work together to help you establish a baseline of calm, good self-care, and coping skills. This will help you feel safe and secure before we dive into unpacking the things that are causing you pain. Together we will set goals, to help you realize all of your unique strengths, create healthy boundaries, and self-esteem to build a happier, healthier life, I look forward to working with you.

Hello, my name is Joel. If you are struggling with anxiety, relationships issues, mood changes, or daily struggles of being a student then we can work together on making it better. Difficulties come in all shapes and sizes and are personal to your experience. I have been in the field since 2004 and performing therapy since 2012. This progression with helping clients has been guided by a professional and person centered approach to help you meet your goals and desires. I have helped many students with issues ranging from anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship, self-esteem, and interpersonal issues. When you choose to work with me you will find an easy going, confidential, and strength based approach that will promote self-awareness, growth, and empowerment. I have an Undergraduate Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University, and a Masters in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. I have recently relocated to NC from 7 years in VT and excited to be back in my home state of NC. Therapeutic approaches will include, but not limited to CBT, Reality Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and DBT. I enjoy being outdoors, sports, cooking, family, and education. I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your goals.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or just feeling lost? I am a strong advocate for every individual to be able to live a fulfilled, satisfying life. I am here to help guide you on a journey of wholehearted living. I am here to help you unlock your full potential and learn to better understand your emotions and actions. Let me help you navigate your journey to living the life you have imagined. Therapy allows us to better understand how our life experiences have affected our emotional health and well-being. I work with adolescents and adults and use several different approaches based on individuals goals. I am a firm believer in mindfulness and self-acceptance practices. I am passionate and excited to help you unlock the life you have always wanted to live. Let me help you along in your journey to living your best life!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi there—I know college can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling ADHD, anxiety, or using substances to cope. I’m here to help you feel understood, not judged. Together, we’ll create a safe, supportive space where you can explore what’s going on, find relief, and start building the life you want—one step at a time. I offer telehealth therapy to students across North Carolina, including those at UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Asheville, NC State, ECU, App State, and UNC Charlotte. For in-person sessions, I welcome students attending Blue Ridge Community College, Brevard College, Mars Hill University, Warren Wilson College, UNC Asheville and other schools near Hendersonville, Asheville, and Western NC. My goal is to create a warm, affirming space to help you feel understood, empowered, and equipped to thrive—in class and in life.

Are you controlled by the feeling that something bad is going to happen all the time? Life with anxiety can make everything feel on edge, exhausting and overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to. You can learn how to navigate the way you feel with ease and let go of self doubt. Through therapy, we work to build a relationship of trust so you feel comfortable sharing the true struggle and exhaustion you are facing day to day. From there, therapy will help validate your emotions and the experiences that shape who you are. You will receive weekly support into your struggles and a new perspective with insight into these very unique struggles. I will work with you to learn to love yourself by seeing yourself with compassion. We will work to see your flaws as your individualistic capabilities and learn more about why your brain operates on constant overdrive.

Welcome! I am Amy Castongia, a Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Telehealth Provider and owner of Calm Blue Waters Counseling. I will work with you to help you find the tools to cope and manage obstacles that have kept you from obtaining your goals. My training is in treating adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety and depression. I strive to provide an open, nonjudgmental, and warm environment where clients can grow, including through online therapy. I want you to have a new perspective by the time your session is complete.

About Me I enjoy working with a variety of client needs ranging from relationship issues and self-esteem issues to addiction and chronic mental health issues. I will work with you to identify and develop the counseling goals specific to your needs. If you are unsure of your therapy goals you may consider utilizing therapy as a wonderful way to practice self-care through self-exploration in a safe and non-judgmental space. ​ My office is conveniently located in the heart of the triad serving the communities of Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, Brown Summit, and Oak Ridge. I would be happy to talk with you over the phone for a free consultation to determine if we would be a good fit for one another.

Healing happens when we feel safe enough to show up exactly as we are. All parts of you are welcome here. I’m not here to change you or fix you. I don’t think you are “broken” or that there's anything "wrong" with you. Together we'll create an accepting + compassionate environment, with respect for your intuition + body's wisdom underlying all that we do. I’m trauma + social justice-informed and view therapy through an intersectional lens (mind, body, environment, culture). During our time together, we’ll likely look at environmental factors (interpersonal, economic, oppression) that create individual/collective stress and trauma. I value equity, consent and boundaries in the therapeutic relationship and strive to create a space that is safe, non-judgmental and accepting. My approach is collaborative + holistic, centering around values of⁣ empathy, connection and deep listening. I’m Internal Family Systems-informed and incorporate somatic + mindfulness-based approaches into sessions. I provide an Autism-affirming perspective in therapy and believe Autism is a genetically-based neurotype, not a medical disorder. "I understand being autistic to be a cultural identity and recognize autistic people as experts on their own culture." (quote from Trauma Geek). Please visit my website for more information. Warmly, River (they/she)

At Taylor’s Touch of Clarity, we work best with college students who feel overwhelmed, stressed, or uncertain—even if everything looks “fine” on the outside. Many of the students we support are balancing classes, work, family expectations, relationships, and the pressure to figure out their future, all at the same time. You may be experiencing constant stress, anxiety that makes it hard to focus, low confidence, or feeling stuck in your own head. Some students come to us feeling burned out, disconnected, or unsure of who they are becoming. Others are navigating depression, self-esteem challenges, relationship concerns, or major life transitions. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and support is available. Our practice is built on creating a safe, non-judgmental space where students can openly talk about what they’re going through without feeling rushed, labeled, or misunderstood. We focus on meeting you where you are and tailoring care to your individual needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. At Taylor’s Touch of Clarity, counseling is a collaborative process. We believe progress happens best when clients feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their growth. Our clinicians work alongside students to build practical coping skills, increase emotional awareness, and strengthen confidence in both academic and personal areas of life. Using a client-centered and strengths-based approach, we help students identify their values, recognize their strengths, and develop tools to manage stress, anxiety, mood challenges, and relationship concerns. Our goal is not just to help you get through college, but to support you in building skills and self-understanding that will serve you well beyond it.

Many of the students I work with are going through times of change, pressure, or uncertainty. You might be trying to balance school, relationships, and future plans, all while dealing with stress, anxiety, or questions about who you are. Maybe you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like no one really sees what you're carrying. I work best with students who are ready to explore those feelings in a safe, honest space, even if they’re not sure where to start. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be open to looking inward and having real conversations. Whether you're dealing with relationship issues, identity questions, trauma, or the day-to-day weight of being a student, you're not alone. I’m here to listen without judgment, help you make sense of what you’re feeling, and support you in moving forward with more clarity and self-trust.