Therapists for college students near Duke University

I provide individual and family therapy to adolescents & young adults (ages 13-30). I treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger, family conflict, mild substance use disorders, and oppositional defiant disorder. I have found tremendous success in working with resistant clients and the resulting family conflicts.

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Most of us need help, at one time or another in our lives, and asking for help is not always easy. However, it is important to realize our own limitations and allow yourself to feel better. Mental health is a vital part of overall well-being, and its impact on our life should not be underestimated. I create a safe and secure therapeutic environment and work hard to treat everyone with respect.

I specialize in helping adults work through unresolved trauma, depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, problem gambling, hoarding, phobias, and grief. I also support clients with stress management and navigating life’s everyday challenges. I am trained in EMDR, NARM, and IFS and my approach is warm, supportive, and collaborative. I am licensed to provide telehealth services to clients in both California and North Carolina. I strive to create a nonjudgmental and caring environment where you can feel safe to explore what’s holding you back and begin moving toward meaningful change. Whether you're just starting your therapy journey or returning after time away, I’ll meet you where you are and tailor your treatment to your specific needs and goals. I’m passionate about this work because I have the privilege of walking beside people on their healing journey. Witnessing the shift from feeling stuck in painful patterns to gaining true freedom and self-understanding is something I never take for granted. Therapy isn’t about being “fixed”—it’s about being heard, seen, and supported as you grow and heal.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I'm committed to providing compassionate and effective support to individuals, couples, and families. My approach combines a blend of empathy, humor, and energy to create a safe and engaging therapeutic environment. Drawing from systems theory and evidence-based modalities such as ACT, I tailor our sessions to meet your specific needs and goals, empowering you to develop the skills necessary to overcome obstacles and build healthier connections.

Chris McGinn is a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and/or career and education transitional issues. It is Chris’ goal to create a safe, accepting, and comfortable environment to allow you, the client, to grow in self-awareness and self-acceptance. This begins by forming a mutually desirable relationship and bringing focus to your counseling sessions by setting goals that will be re-assessed throughout the counseling process. Chris's general counseling approach is based on the Humanistic perspective, which helps you develop a stronger, healthier sense of self and access and understand your feelings to help gain a sense of meaning in life. Chris utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based approach to help you become your best self: the person you'd be if you just weren't so tired, so anxious, so angry, or so depressed. He believes your work together is to challenge the reasons you feel that way in the first place so you can move past them and start feeling happier, more productive, and more connected to the life you want. He incorporates modalities such as art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, experiential therapy, play therapy, existential, and trauma-focused therapy in sessions. Chris feels that a client-therapist relationship based on trust and acceptance is the most important element of successful therapy.

Brooke is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (North Carolina) and Licensed Professional Counselor (South Carolina) based out of Charlotte, NC. She works with women in their young adult years or 30's. Many of Brooke's client's come in feeling depressed, anxious and overwhelmed. It is not uncommon for one of Brooke's clients to say they feel like something is off because of a reaction they are having to a recent loss or past trauma. Brooke's goal is that everyone leaves feeling seen, heard and like their experiences and reactions to life events make a little more sense. She believes that everyone has a valuable story to tell and considers it a joy and privilege to hear that story and identify the themes and effects the story has on the client's life. While she works with people of all faith backgrounds, Brooke was trained in Christian counseling and offers integration of faith into counseling upon request. Her goal in working with clients is to help them better understand how their brain and body are connected and to empower clients to live in a way that aligns with their values. Clients who have worked with Brooke often feel supported and seen. She tries to come alongside and be a healing presence in the midst of great suffering. Brooke believes that the best therapists have been in therapy themselves and understands how much courage it takes to reach out for help. She strives to be empathetic and gives space for clients to reach the goals they set out to accomplish over the course of therapy. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time in nature, watching Chicago Cubs and Bears, listening to a good audiobook or podcast, watching French TV shows and traveling.

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Dani provides a collaborative, safe space, for adults and teens who no longer feel in control of their own life. If you are in a place where your anxiety and/or depression is debilitating, you want to heal from past traumas, or learn how to better cope with life stressors, Dani is happy to support you in your journey to self-discovery. Using a client centered approach, she uses various techniques to guide her clients in understanding underlying thoughts, feelings, and experiences with the aim of personal growth. She is always looking to support clients in finding their true meaning and purpose of being. Dani's passion is helping others find their true selves by conceptualizing their past, present, and future to overcome life's various challenges. She has training in psycho-dynamic work, mindful-based practices, Brainspotting, and various other healing modalities. She hopes to empower all of her clients to take charge of their lives. She understands that life is challenging, but it doesn't have to be paralyzing. Through a combination of evidence-based therapeutic practices, mind-body psychotherapies, Brainspotting, and parts work, let Dani guide you to find your true inner-self and create the life you've always expected!

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I am passionate about supporting people to live more fully, deepen their relationships, and reclaim balance within their relationship between their body and mind. Existing in the world can be challenging and we aren't meant to do it alone. Areas of focus include and aren't limited to eating disorders, relationship with body, anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, attachment, couples, and neurodiversity. Marah aims to create an inclusive, collaborative, and compassionate environment for people as they explore the various parts of themselves, their relationships, and personal goals. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families of various gender identities, sexual orientations, relationship structures, and racial-ethnic backgrounds from early childhood to end of life. She integrates a variety of narrative therapy, CBT/ACT, embodiment practices, and mindfulness to support people meet their goals. Every person is unique and being human can be hard at times. There are a lot of distractions in the world that block us from connecting to our innate worth. When we are connected to ourselves, our capacity shifts, and we are more able to live fully in alignment with our values. It would be an honor to support you along your path.

BTM offers virtual individual, group, and marriage counseling via telehealth. Additionally, we offer wellness classes, support groups and other services. Therapists are committed to providing quality care and exceeding industry standards in counseling and wellness. The vision of BTM is to see clients move beyond their mask by unveiling the powerful pain points of the past that prevent them from living their promised future. The mission of BTM is to disrupt powerful emotions and heal trauma from its core. BTM offers an integrated faith and mental health approach for clients who desire it. Therapists use leading trauma treatment modalities to assist clients on their personal wellness journey. Clients who desire to integrate their faith with their personal wellness goals learn “there’s no shame in seeking help”. They understand seeking therapy is not a weakness in their faith, but empowerment in their commitment for healing. As clients embrace HOPE (Help Overcoming Powerful Emotions), they experience the freedom of being healed, delivered and set free.

I believe there is no true beginning or end to Healing, working on ourselves, or trying to have forward motion in our lives (but that it DOES get better!), so any entry point into counseling as a tool in those processes is the right one. /"This is heart work, and you can't think your way around this; you've gotta feel your way through it." / /"The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind."/ The therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance. I will ask you to face hard things in our work together, so I expect of myself that same call for transparency and authenticity- I do my best to live out Brene Brown's concept of "getting in the arena" with you. I also try to instill hope and light (I know I sure need it); we will also laugh! Healing requires both grit and softness. This work is such an honor, and it has become built into the fiber of my being. Please come as you are- I hope you can trust yourself to take the next step, no matter how many steps have already been taken or how many you feel have yet to be taken.

I am passionate about serving the communities that I work with. I specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders, Phobias, Tics and Tourette's Disorder, LGBTQ+ concerns, and phase of life issues. I also have specialized training in helping college students. I strive to deliver multiculturally competent services, my practice is inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, and my pronouns are she/her. Difficult experiences impact people in different ways. Whether you are feeling stuck, disconnected, or hesitant as you approach a major life transition, know that change is possible. I incorporate evidence-based treatment approaches grounded in multicultural psychotherapy that allow for a collaborative relationship focused on helping you achieve your goals.

Waking up each day to feel the weight of society’s expectations on your shoulders is overwhelming. There are times where you begin to wonder where you belong and if there is a place you can really be yourself. You were never given the opportunity to discover your true self and now you’re wondering who you really are! So many aspects of how you were raised and the things you experienced are holding onto you and keeping you from embracing new paths in your life. At times, it can be lonely navigating life while finding yourself, unlearning toxic beliefs, and learning to love the person you’re meant to be. But life is a journey! You deserve to wake up excited for the day and all of its possibilities. You are worthy of taking the time to stop and find yourself and discover who you want to be. It’s okay to acknowledge where you came from and the events that shaped you while also striving for a different path. It’s okay to question the ideals you grew up with and it’s okay to challenge the ones you feel don’t fit with who you want to be now! This is your life and you deserve to be in control of it. If any of that describes how you’re currently feeling, I would love to join you on your journey to self discovery. Finding yourself and your place in life can be challenging work but you do not have to do it alone. If you feel you’re ready to begin the journey, I am here to walk with you!

Hi! My name is Pamela Riley. I am a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience across primary care, urgent care, and mental health. I completed advanced psychiatric training and have a strong clinical foundation built through years of ICU work and clinic leadership roles. My approach centers on thorough assessment, evidence-based medication management, and compassionate, holistic mental health care. I understand how overwhelming anxiety, ADHD, OCD, insomnia, and other mental health symptoms can be. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free space where you feel heard and understood. Whether you’re new to psychiatric care or seeking ongoing medication management, we’ll work together toward clarity, stability, and lasting relief. If you’re looking for a psychiatric provider who listens, collaborates, and personalizes your care, I’m here to help. I offer timely appointments, thoughtful follow-up, and treatment plans that fit your life. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful progress and improved mental well-being.

Present. Calm. Centered. Your authentic YOU. These are the things you may be longing for yet sometimes feel out of reach. Life can bring about storms and seasons of hardship that leave their mark on our human spirits. Sometimes we can find our center, yet other times we may feel lost in the seas of emotions - worries and anxieties that sweep us from our connections to ourselves and those we care about. Maybe you experienced painful moments in your youth or adult life that you just can’t find a way to shake. Or maybe you find yourself caught in certain patterns of responses despite knowing you value interacting with yourself or others differently. Maybe you hope to gain more confidence in yourself to follow your dreams. I am deeply honored to explore these thoughts, feelings, and experiences with you, so that you can draw new connections to live the life you want to lead. I work with adult individuals (18 years and up) and have experience with a variety of different presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and addictions. I offer a nurturing person-centered approach where I believe you are truly the expert in your own life. My aim is to use my professional training to collaborate with you on reaching your goals. I use a variety of counseling approaches including motivational interviewing, mindfulness, CBT and brainspotting. With this, I often interweave somatic/body based awareness, emotional attunement and cognitive aspects into the work we engage in together. I also recognize the decision to choose to start counseling can be a vulnerable and difficult one. I believe a strong therapeutic alliance is the most important aspect for supporting therapy outcomes (research supports this too!). I aim to create an environment with elements of empathy, non-judgment, compassion and humor. And if you wind up finding my therapeutic style is not the best fit for your needs, I am glad to support you in getting connected with another therapist.

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.

Are you navigating academic stress, burnout, perfectionism, or life transitions? At Neurodiverse Counseling, we provide neurodiversity-affirming therapy and adult ADHD and autism evaluations for students and young adults. We specialize in working with autistic individuals, ADHDers, and LGBTQIA+ clients. Clients often seek support for anxiety, depression, sensory processing differences, masking, executive functioning challenges, and difficulties with communication or relationships. Others come to us for help with low self-esteem, chronic illness, or processing trauma. We offer a compassionate space to heal, grow, and reconnect with your authentic self. Our team understands the unique pressures students face. We use evidence-based approaches including ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, IFS, and trauma-informed care, alongside neurodiversity-affirming practices to support emotional regulation, executive functioning, and meaningful growth. We offer teletherapy across Massachusetts, Florida, and North Carolina. Our diverse team includes neurodivergent, BIPOC, multilingual, and LGBTQIA+ clinicians, bringing both clinical expertise and lived experience to our work. If you’re looking for therapy that is collaborative, affirming, and tailored to your needs, we invite you to schedule a free consultation.

Are you feeling stuck in your life? Unsure of how to change things for the better? Are you struggling with perfectionism, self-esteem, anxiety, adjusting to new or difficult life experiences? It can be overwhelming and isolating when you’re struggling emotionally. If you can relate to these experiences, there is hope. As a therapist I have to come to understand my clients needs and believe in the following: you can increase Self-acceptance, create positive change through your own Wisdom and begin to heal with the support of an Authentic and Nurturing therapeutic relationship. S.W.A.N. is more than just a name.