Therapists for college students near Durham, NC

I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor experienced in individual and group therapy with young adults and college students. In addition to supporting college students during their journey, I enjoy working with adult clients who experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, racism-related and other complex traumas, and identity exploration. My style of therapy is relational, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive. I often draw from existential, gestalt, and narrative-based interventions. I can answer any questions you have about my approach in your consultation. In my free time, I enjoy writing poetry and making music with my bandmates. As a queer Black woman, I welcome all identities, orientations, and expressions in my office.

I offer a range of approaches including expressive arts informed therapy, body-centered therapy, and traditional talk therapy. I also specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. My goal is to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment and provide you with the tools to authentically explore yourself, solve problems, and cope with difficult experiences. I am committed to affirming and uplifting marginalized identities across racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, and religious lines. Having completed my clinical training at the Appalachian State counseling center, I am experienced in working with college students including non-traditional students.

On the outside things look great, but on the inside you are struggling. Work stress is becoming overwhelming, you feel anxious and depressed, and your relationships are suffering. What used to work is no longer working for you. I am here to help you learn new, more effective ways for life to become more manageable. Together we can create and work on goals, which can include improved work performance, more meaningful relationships, better communication, and stress management. We can address addictions which may be hindering performance. Whatever life stress or transition you may be experiencing, I am here to help. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, creative, and personalized. I am a nonjudgmental therapist with a specialty in helping young professionals, high achievers, and entrepreneurs who are feeling "stuck". I coach focusing on strengths and highly value the therapeutic relationship. I want therapy to be a safe space for everyone. My style is practical, authentic, and kind. I use humor to form meaningful connections. It can be difficult reaching out for help. I try to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Call me to talk about how I can help you move forward!

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor whose purpose is to create a secure space for you as the client to embrace where you are emotionally, in order to gain awareness, process and develop solutions. This is accomplished with a collaboration of commitment and investment to oneself and the process. Your voice is important and honored in the counseling process as we work together to discover new paths to wellness.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work with adults and adolescents who are struggling with the challenges of daily life or who feel weighed down by issues of the past. My clients are often people who struggle with anxiety, depression, identity issues, grief, stress, or relationship issues. My ideal client is ready for change, or contemplating what the first steps of change look like. I practice exclusively through teletherapy sessions, and require clients to have reliable and consistent access to internet services. I offer a safe space for BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+/trans/poly, neurodivergent, and other diverse communities. I am a very direct person, known for my honesty and “cut-to-the-chase” attitude. Over my years of practice, I have become known for my strength in work with teenagers and young adults, who have described me as “relatable” and “trusted.” I also enjoy helping adults work through life transitions and exploring issues of self identity and purpose. I believe strongly in the validation of clients’ feelings and experiences, to help remove stigma and shame. I believe that with support, clients can be empowered to make difficult decisions and take charge of their own growth.

I am a graduate of Appalachian State University with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and have been practicing for the past 17 years. I specialize in work with individuals, couples, families and teens, and have a focus in systems theory and narrative therapy. I prefer to work in collaboration with my clients to use the expertise that they have in their own lives to help find strategies that can help them build the life that they want. I am passionate about helping people work through and solve the problems that are important to them and I consider it an honor to be invited into the lives of my clients through the element of therapy.

CoRe Therapy & Resolutions, PLLC is committed to equipping individuals, groups, and community organizations with resolutions to strengthen their CORE, with services and interventions that are comprehensive and responsive to established mental health and organizational goals.

Hello! My name is Payton Austin, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with a special focus on supporting college students. The college years can be an exhilarating time of discovery, growth, and forging lifelong friendships. Simultaneously, it's also a period of significant transition, adjustments, and challenges that can evoke a range of emotions, from excitement to stress. Understanding that the mental and emotional well-being of students is just as vital as academic achievements, my primary mission is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can freely express, explore, and work through any feelings or challenges you're facing. Whether it's stress from coursework, relationship dynamics, navigating personal identity, or facing anxieties about the future, I'm here to support and guide you. Collaboratively, we'll work towards understanding the root causes of any distress or concern, and develop strategies and coping mechanisms that resonate with you. My therapeutic approach is integrative, pulling from cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and person-centered therapies, tailored to suit your unique needs and strengths. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. Every individual's journey is unique, and I'm honored to be a part of yours. Let's take this journey together, ensuring that your college experience is not just about surviving, but truly thriving. Looking forward to our time together! Warmly, Payton Austin, MA, NCC, LCMHCA

Hi. I’m glad you are reaching out for help. Everyone has a unique story. Are you feeling hopeless or stuck in unresolved hurt or an unhealthy relationship? Have your dreams been delayed or dashed? Is anxiety or depression keeping you from being the person you want to be? Hope, healing and health are attainable. I find great joy in joining people in their story and helping them to not just “survive”, but to thrived. I also offer spiritual direction upon request. I hope to connect with you soon. Warmly, Sandy Mahar

Blue Ridge Mental Health provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management through virtual appointments. Dr. Shawn Faust, DNP sees and treats patients aged 17 years and older dealing with anxiety, depression, insomnia, bipolar, OCD and other mental health issues. Dr. Michael Wilson, M.D. evaluates for Autism Spectrum Disorder in patients of all ages. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid plans, and self-pay patients. We do offer sliding scale for self-pay patients.

During our first session, you can expect a relaxed, welcoming space where you don’t have to have it all together. I take time to get to know you, understand what’s bringing you to therapy, and explore what you hope to gain from it. We’ll talk about your goals, what’s been challenging, and what “feeling better” might look like for you. My approach is conversational and collaborative. I meet you where you are and move at your pace. By the end of our first session, my goal is for you to feel seen, understood, and more hopeful about your next steps.

We are a team of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) that share the goal of creating a welcoming and safe space to explore mental health concerns, develop tools and resources, and provide support in becoming the you that you aspire to be. We chose the name Tides, not only for our shared love of the beach but also because in life "tides" or circumstances often change and we strive to be agents of positive changing tides in the lives of people we serve.

In my practice, I see college students and young adults for a variety of issues including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, stress, transitions/major life decisions, and career concerns. I provide individual counseling using solution-focused and cognitive therapies. I also employ a whole-person process approach to career counseling so that all factors are considered when making vocational decisions. I strive to provide my clients with a safe, nonjudgmental environment to understand themselves better and move toward a fulfilling life. I often learn as much from my clients as they do from me and I consider therapy a highly collaborative process.

I am so glad you found me on your journey! It can be a learning process to show up as your authentic self as you navigate through life, but you don't have to do it alone. If you've ever felt the weight of anxiety, responsibilities, stress, loneliness, life transitions & a lack of motivation; you don't have to carry it by yourself. Finding true peace & happiness involves doing the work to become a better you! If you wish to self-improve, strengthen your relationships, find your voice & rework your motivation, let's chat! I have a passion for working with youth, adolescents, and college students. My specialties involve anxiety, stress, goal-setting, self-esteem, behavioral concerns & life-transitions. We can also explore self-awareness, which leads to self-acceptance and positive outcomes. I aim to provide a space where you can unpack & move through life with a lighter load. Through genuine collaboration, you can take control of your healing process in a healthy way. I draw from compassion, affirmations, and a strengths-based perspective to highlight your capabilities throughout your journey. Allow me to offer you a safe, nonjudgmental space to help you achieve the life you deserve!

I honor the opportunity clients provide during their most vulnerable state by providing a warm, nonjudgmental and affirming space. I believe in the power of connection when building a therapeutic relationship with children, teen and adult clients. I strive to empower clients by assisting them with creating insight of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contributing to current emotional and behavioral symptoms while also supporting the development of holistic coping skills. I have experience in providing therapy in areas of anxiety, depression, teen issues, women’s issues, college students and life transitions.

I specialize in assisting neurodiverse populations as well as LGBTQIA+, those with chronic illnesses, and those who are looking to deepen their relationship with themselves and their world. I have specific training around the systematic influences in one’s life. I am committed to understanding how the systems and relationships you are a part of are influencing your health and wellbeing while still understanding and encouraging where you have agency and autonomy. I believe that the best therapy is co-created between therapist and client so I will cater specifically to your needs with my strengths. I take a non-judgemental solutions focused approach and integrate other methods such as narrative, expressive arts, experiential, somatic, DBT, and trauma informed practices to cater each session to where each specific client “is at”.

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the challenges and circumstances in your life? Have you experienced feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, sadness, or a lack of support when you needed someone to confide in? I understand these struggles, and I want you to know that it's perfectly okay to not be okay. I'm here to provide you with the tools and strategies you need to break free from negative thought patterns and self-defeating behaviors. Similar to regular physical check-ups, therapy serves as a preventive measure, equipping you with effective strategies to navigate moments of chaos, uncertainty, and everyday life. Together let's transform emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns for your desired outcomes. I support young adults, college students, and adults particularly those from BIPOC communities, facing depression, anxiety, and life transitions. My aim is to empower you, raise your self-awareness, and break down the barriers of mental health stigma. The first step is daunting yet essential. Therapy isn't weakness; it shows strength and courage to seek support. My priority is a nonjudgmental, safe space where you can freely express yourself. Remember, progress begins with putting one foot in front of the other, and soon enough, you'll be walking towards a brighter future.

Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be? We live in a society that tells us who to be. We are taught how to behave, how to dress, how to speak, how to interact with the world… We are often raised in families plagued by generational traumas and toxicity, or simply behavioral patterns that do not support our individual needs and wants. I see you and I hear you. I want you to know that I understand what it feels like to question your identity or to push through societal expectations that no longer serve us. I will provide you with a safe and sacred space to explore who you truly are and wish to be.

We live in a culture that constantly pushes us to do more, work harder, and question whether we’re ever “enough.” For many students, that pressure leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout. But thriving isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about finding balance, clarity, and a stronger sense of who you are and what you need. This work often extends into your relationships, your identity, and your sense of direction. I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can slow down, explore what’s weighing on you, and develop a more grounded, sustainable way forward.