Therapists for college students near Durham, NC

And..... ACTION! Let's face it, Life can be a doozy sometimes and at some point trying to be "on" is exhausting. You think you're doing everything right but nothing turns out the way you think it should. You start to think, "What's the point? Why even try?" You're tired and just want things to be different. Better. I get it. So don't go it alone, let's talk about it. Let's throw some thoughts and solutions out there and see what sticks. You may feel stuck, but YOU'RE NOT ALONE. Call me and let's get you back on track to the best version of yourself. 'Cuz, at the end of the day, Life is tough. But if you're reading this, so are you. TTYL :)

Let me put it simply: being a college student is hard. There are more expectations than ever placed on young adults today and it's a time of tremendous change, transition, and instability. Emotions are a normal part of being human, but sometimes those emotions seem so overwhelming that you might start to feel out of control and alone. It can feel as though no one understands you and no one is really on your side. It might even feel as though your friendships or other relationships are more stressful than they are helpful. That's where I come in. My goal is to provide a safe, stable space and support for you to navigate all of the difficult relationships, changes, and challenges you're experiencing during this time in life. You are not alone!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

A lot of the students I work with are used to being the “put together” one. The responsible one. The one who pushes through. But behind the scenes, they’re exhausted. Many are dealing with complicated relationships with food, body image, or perfectionism while also navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, or chronic illness. From the outside it might look like they’re managing fine, but internally it can feel like a constant battle with their own mind or body. A lot of my clients are thoughtful and self-aware, but tired of feeling stuck in the same patterns or feeling like they’re constantly fighting themselves. In therapy with me, the goal isn’t to shame or rush you into change. Instead, we slow things down and get curious about what your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are actually trying to communicate. From there, we work on building coping tools, creating more flexibility in patterns that feel rigid or overwhelming, and rebuilding trust with your body. You don’t have to come in with everything figured out. Many of my clients start therapy feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or even skeptical — and that’s completely okay. Therapy is just a space where you can show up honestly and start making sense of things at your own pace.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

**Some Insurance Accepted in NC through Headway** I practice via telehealth in NY, NC, WA, and TX. I specialize in working with adult men and women who are secretly miserable. You may look fine on the outside, but inside you're struggling to get your own needs met, codependency, perfectionism, and shame. Gestalt Therapy goes beyond looking at just the cognitive, linear perspectives of the person. It demands of the therapist an awareness of the body and how it manifests in the psyche. Through its focus on process rather than content, the patient gains an experiential awareness of how they do what they do and new choices emerge spontaneously. The radical focus on process in the creative therapy of Gestalt keeps the work alive and full of possibility for both the patient and my work as a therapist. Melissa Bennett-Heinz obtained her master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University (Class of 2002) and is a graduate of Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy in New York City, NY. In addition to her background in Gestalt Therapy, she obtained her bachelor's and master’s degrees from the esteemed conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, in New York City where she majored in Oboe Performance. Melissa completed cognitive behavioral studies under the tutelage of Dr. William Sanderson. She is a licensed clinical social worker in NY, WA, NC, and TX and has over twenty years of specialized training and experience in PTSD, childhood abuse, mood and anxiety disorders. Melissa brings her background as a classical musician and deep spirituality together in her unique approach in Gestalt's creative and experiential therapy.

College can be exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between—and you don’t have to figure it all out alone. As someone who’s been through the college journey myself, I understand the pressure to succeed, the weight of family expectations, and the struggle to balance mental health with everything else life throws at you. I’m here to support students who are feeling stuck, anxious, burnt out, or unsure of who they are or where they’re headed. With a background in health systems, early childhood development, and clinical training across diverse settings, I offer a space where you can be yourself—no judgment, no pressure. Whether you're processing past experiences, adjusting to a new environment, or just need someone to talk to, I’ll meet you with empathy, tools that work, and a deep respect for your lived experience. Let’s make space for you.

Figuring out identity, establishing meaningful relationships, and navigating through changing independent roles while on the quest for financial stability, can be an overwhelming mix of demands. Add spiritual and/or cultural expectations to the blend and you might just feel like quitting before you even start! It’s a wonder why anxiety, depression and other forms of addictive “coping” exist. Need some help addressing these symptoms while managing life’s demands? Say less.

I enjoy working with young adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have a passion for helping individuals reclaim their lives back from trauma, and I believe trauma therapy is more important now than ever. I believe the mind/body connection is very strong, and is important in mental health. I also work with clients who are experiencing stress, life transitions, and grief. I am an EMDRIA certified Therapist and IFS informed. I also use a lot of CBT, DBT, and mindfulness interventions. I am also very strengths- based. In my sessions, I aspire to offer a safe, supportive, and empowering environment to my clients, so they can be themselves, and work through whatever is keeping them from being their best selves. I operate through a strengths-based approach, and will try to bring laughter and humor into the sessions (when appropriate) as laughter is the best medicine.

I am a licensed psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of anxiety and childhood trauma. I have clinical experience across crisis intervention, substance use treatment, and outpatient therapy settings, working with individuals experiencing acute distress as well as ongoing mental health concerns. My approach is grounded in the belief that unresolved trauma can significantly influence emotional regulation, self-concept, and interpersonal functioning. Clients often seek treatment when they feel “stuck,” overwhelmed, or notice persistent patterns related to past experiences that interfere with daily functioning, relationships, or goal attainment. I provide a supportive, structured therapeutic environment where clients can explore these concerns, develop insight, and work toward sustainable change. I utilize evidence-based modalities including Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Treatment focuses on increasing self-awareness, processing traumatic experiences, addressing maladaptive thought and behavior patterns, and strengthening coping skills. Therapy is collaborative and tailored to each client’s clinical needs and treatment goals. I welcome individuals seeking to engage in therapy to address anxiety, trauma-related concerns, and personal growth.

Welcome! I'm Shannon. I'm glad you're here, and acknowledge that connecting with a therapist is no easy step. Thank you for having the courage to contemplate connecting. For me, who you are - right now, in this moment - matters, is important, and is enough. Your voice matters; your story is important and set-apart; I wholeheartedly believe you are doing the best you can with what you have; and, I know you want to be the best possible version of You. I also know that change is hard. Taking steps towards one's best self often means looking into the corners of our lives; saying things aloud we've spent years only saying to ourselves; and, being willing to adjust our story from one filled with "if onlys" and "should'ves", to one of acceptance for our enough-ness then, and now. Change - it's not easy and can be uncomfortable, so it's my job to deeply listen; to affirm your experience; and, to create a space filled with reverence, safety, humility, loving-kindness, gentle challenge, and gratitude for your willingness to explore together. I will listen, if you are ready to share.

Here at Thrivister Academic Coaching we can help you to rewrite your academic story. If you are overwhelmed, defeated and anxiety ridden we can help you to increase your skills, and awareness and take action. We work with our clients by ADHD, executive function and academic coaching to improve their executive function skills to find new successes and increase their confidence. Learning to take action and experience success creates confidence and provides a whole new perspective of hope and strength. Coaching is through live video session that vary from twice per week or four times per week. Private coach and student messaging take place between sessions to address questions, provide accountability check-ins and send resources. Our clients are paired with a coach based on their needs and preference to make a good connection and match. Our coaches use personalization, trust and empathy to help you on your journey and are part of our core values.

Life is tough! I recognize and understand that sometimes life knocks us down or throws us a curve ball. Every now and then it can make it hard to get out of bed, ignoring our everyday responsibilities. Sometimes it can make us very anxious, worrying all the time if the decisions we’re making are the right ones. Making difficult transitions in life (i.e. what college to go to, what job to accept and am I in the right relationship) can be stressful. Therapy is a great opportunity to gain a new perspective, to increase self-esteem and to feel more confident in the decisions we are making, re-framing those automatic negative thoughts.

I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) Licensed Clinical Social Worker. As a veteran, I understand the importance of trust, resilience, and having someone who truly listens without judgment. My approach to therapy is grounded in real-world experience, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to supporting individuals through trauma, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. I offer a steady, grounded presence to help clients build emotional strength, develop healthier patterns, and move toward a life that feels meaningful and manageable.

I am passionate for mental health and well-being, dedicated to fostering growth, healing, and resilience in individuals and families. Building a positive rapport with clients is something I take pride in as a Social Worker, as without a connection it is difficult to begin the helping process. I like to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Play Therapy. I believe in the importance of self-care, balance, and strive to integrate these principles into both my personal and professional life. If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-exploration and growth, I'm here to support you. I love working with children, teens, families, adults and parents. I have experience working with clients with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, neurodivergent and related challenges, Trauma and Grief. I have taken extensive coursework in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Disorders.

I specialize in working with adults & teens struggling with mood disorders, depression, self-harm, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma and personality disorders to replace problem behaviors with positive coping skills through Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT is helpful for those struggling with managing emotions & stress. I also run DBT Groups for adults & teens. I also have a subspecialty in perinatal mental health including during PPD/PPA, pregnancy, postpartum, loss and PPD in spouses. I have a Masters in Social Work at Rutgers University. I believe that therapy should be client-centered, non-judgmental and at your pace. I hope to inspire you to make change in their life, work towards your goals, process life events and build useful coping skills. I can help you be in control of your emotions, manage stress without problem behaviors and be present in your life. Please feel free to reach out via phone, email or message so that we can chat about how I can be helpful!

Are you looking to repair your self-worth, esteem, and confidence, that was damaged by life experiences whether it be from childhood trauma, a toxic work environment, racism, and a number of other horrible experiences? I help clients that have internalized those experiences believing that something is wrong with them. I'll help you change your negative and distorted view of self and regain your power. We will disrupt your thinking patterns that are impacting your ability to function and are causing distress such as depression, anxiety, and poor relationships. My ideal client is those ready to put in the healing work.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.