Therapists for college students near Duke University

Big changes have a way of shaking loose questions you thought you had already answered-about who you are, where you belong, and who you want to be. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I work with students and young adults who are navigating these in-between phases that can be confusing and overwhelming.

Giving up is not the answer. When you’ve tried every solution but nothing has worked, life can start to seem hopeless. You can lose yourself and forget your own strength, but life is too short to stay stuck in the suck. Discover the life you’ve always wanted with Mathews Counseling. Find the confidence to overcome life’s challenges. Get practical tools to help you thrive in life. Feel more connected to yourself and to others.

I enjoy working with neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and families, including those with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other disabilities. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or struggling with emotional regulation, relationships, school, or daily life demands. Together, we create a neuroaffirming space where clients can better understand themselves, build on their strengths, develop practical coping skills, and find approaches that honor the way their brains naturally work. As an art therapist and former elementary school art teacher, I offer a creative, person-centered approach tailored to each client's needs. I incorporate art therapy, sandtray therapy, play therapy, DBT, CBT, and solution-focused techniques to support emotional growth, self-understanding, and meaningful change. I believe healing happens when people are given space to show up as they are. You don't need artistic experience, perfect words, or everything figured out to begin therapy. If you're looking for a compassionate, collaborative space to explore challenges and strengths, I'd be honored to support you.

I believe that therapy is a collaborative journey where you and I work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. My approach is rooted in empathy, active listening, and a non-judgmental environment where you can openly express yourself. In our therapist-client relationship, I see myself as a supportive guide, here to help you gain insights, develop coping skills, and set achievable goals. Together, we’ll create a safe and trusting space for you to work through challenges and find a path towards personal growth and healing. Ultimately, success in therapy is about empowering my clients to lead more fulfilling, balanced, and purposeful lives by applying the insights and skills gained during our therapeutic journey.

The clients I work best with are often the ones who appear “put together” on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected on the inside. They’re typically reliable, high-functioning and used to being the person others depend on but privately, they may be dealing with anxiety, burnout, overthinking, or a sense that they’ve lost themselves in their roles. Many of my clients struggle with people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling responsible for others’ emotions. Some are navigating major life transitions like relationship changes, co-parenting, or figuring out their next steps in school or career. Others may not have a clear “reason” for therapy but know something feels off and want more clarity, balance, or a stronger sense of self. I work well with folks who are open to looking a little deeper, at patterns in relationships, how past experiences may still be showing up, and how stress or emotions live in the body. You don’t have to have it all figured out. If you’re willing to be curious about yourself and want practical tools alongside deeper understanding, this space can be a good fit.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just plain down? It's okay to not be okay. Many college students experience mental health challenges, and you're not alone. Our counseling services are here to help you navigate these tough times. We offer a safe and confidential space where you can talk about your feelings, learn coping strategies, and find support.

When we can sit with our feelings and examine our thoughts we have an increased ability to understand our decisions and behaviors as well as the choices that are available to us. We utilize a non judgmental and warm approach to fully understand where clients are in their journey. We believe our clients present us with an enormous gift by sharing their vulnerabilities and strengths; we take therapy seriously and hope that each session is productive and our clients leave with a broader understanding of themselves and what they can do in the moment to feel better. We openly welcome clients of color, immigrants, queer and trans* clients, and clients of all genders. We provide individual counseling to help each person identify their own strengths and contributions to creating a life worth living. We have many years of experience providing trauma focused work, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and internal family systems therapy. We are comfortable treating a number of diagnoses, histories, and symptoms, including, but not limited to: life adjustments, trauma, sexual abuse, adoption issues, attachment disruptions, depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, difficulties with emotion regulation, issues of over control, self harming behaviors, and suicidal ideation.

I have current availability and will respond to inquiries within one business day. We all struggle at times to cope with the difficulties of life. Distress is a natural response to unsustainable pressures in our lives. Whether your symptoms are mental (racing thoughts, excessive self-judgement), physical (racing heart, headaches, stomach tied in knots), or a mix of both, our work together can help you to understand the source of your struggles and discover strategies to work toward a life of peaceful enjoyment. Together we can create a toolbox of strategies for coping with life’s stressors. As a counselor, I strive to affirm all identities and incorporate an awareness of social and cultural factors that may impact your lived experience. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I offer expressive arts therapy, which allows for processing, experiencing, and integrating therapeutic work on a deeper level. In our work together, I aim to create a safe space where you can feel truly heard and supported in your goals. I am passionate about helping people lead a healthier, more fulfilling life. I invite you to reach out to schedule a free 15-minute initial consultation to help in deciding whether we will be a good fit for your needs.

Sometimes we reach points in life where we feel stuck. We might be trapped in loops of negative thoughts, or feel like we’ve hit a dead end in our career or intimate relationships. When we reach out for support and connection, we find that the technology that was supposed to connect us has left us more isolated than ever. Individually or as a couple, I will help you create a space to reflect and process difficult thoughts and emotions–cultivating hope and building a deeper sense of meaning in your life story. My work is informed by psychodynamic theory and existential therapy. Both are depth-oriented approaches that emphasize exploring unconscious behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. This exploration helps us better understand ourselves and integrate our difficult thoughts, emotions, and experiences to build more satisfying relationships with ourselves and others. Seeking help can feel very difficult, especially if we have been misunderstood or judged by others. If anything in my profile resonates with you I hope that you will reach out to schedule a free consult call! If you do, I promise to bring my authentic self to our work together.

Our mission is to provide therapy services to adults, adolescents, and couples/people in all types of relationships that center around the needs of marginalized communities and provide a safe and inclusive environment for all folx. We celebrate all identities, abilities, and intersectionalities. Each of our therapists provides culturally responsive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, social justice-oriented care and specializes in different populations. We have locations in Durham, and Raleigh.

My practice offers psychological assessments for children, students, families and adults. We focus on finding answers to your questions and help you figure out why things are challenging for you and then come up with a game plan to help you build on your strengths and work with your challenges. We offer all kinds of evaluations, but the most common concerns we receive are learning disabilities, ADHD and questions about the autism spectrum. We would love to connect with you and see if we can help you get some answers and next steps.

I welcome individuals from all backgrounds. I prioritize working with any and all women, girls, members of the Queer and Trans communities, and expecting parents, ages 15+. As a cisgender white woman I am aware of the privileges I hold and I honor the perspectives, backgrounds, and lived experiences of my clients. I believe in a collaborative therapeutic process and therefore will ask for your input in goal-setting and treatment planning conversations. I will at times offer clinical guidance, but not before hearing what it is you are seeking and hoping to gain from your therapy experience. My work is trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based, aimed at co-creating strong therapeutic rapport. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Mindfulness and Grounding, and Therapeutic Art. Through each of these interventions, I aim to strengthen and empower your voice and provide a safe space to be who you are, without judgment and without expectation.

Beginning the work of therapy can bring up many emotions, and I am here to be with you through all of them. I approach therapy with reverence for your lived experience, nervous system, and desires for the future. I specialize in working with teenagers through adults to address concerns related to anxiety, depression, life transitions big or small, religion and identity, and family of origin issues. I’m passionate about working with parents to explore their own histories and ties to the present, as well as individuals seeking to understand their experience of neurodivergence or that of a loved one. I utilize a psychodynamic approach and draw from relational-cultural theory, polyvagal theory, and internal family systems. This means we will wonder together about the ways past experiences and relationships impact you in the present emotionally, mentally, and physically. I'm deeply committed to maintaining an anti-racist, neurodiversity-affirming, and queer-affirming practice, considering clients and their challenges in the context of oppressive systems. I know how challenging it can be to find a therapist who feels like a good fit, and I'd love to connect with you if anything in my approach resonates with your experiences.

Animo Sano Psychiatry treats a wide range of behavioral health conditions, including Depression and Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and sleep disorders, among others. In addition to the treatment of these noted conditions, Animo Sano Psychiatry also operates an ADHD Specialty Clinic.

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle” -Alice in Wonderland As humans, we often carry complex emotions around with us as we move through life. That can be exhausting, especially when you haven’t had the time or space to fully process what you’re feeling, what you’ve been through, and how those experiences impact your life today. My hope is that therapy with me can be a place where you can find some reprieve from life's stressors, make sense of your experiences, and regain a sense of control. I enjoy working with folks who are navigating trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, life changes, and interpersonal challenges. My background in social work influences how I approach therapy, including how identity, relationships, environment, and larger systems can impact overall well-being. In my practice, I tend to use an integrative approach, drawing from CBT, DBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing, while incorporating psychoeducation and strengths-focused interventions. In addition to these modalities, it’s important to me that our working relationship is built on trust, care, and mutual respect, so we can work together to figure out what works best for you. Being a pet parent of three rescue rabbits and a bearded dragon, I’m drawn to animals who are often misunderstood, have complex needs, and need patience and trust before they feel safe opening up. That experience has deepened my appreciation for patience, curiosity, and meeting others where they are. I especially enjoy working with folks who may feel “different” or “too much”. I’m here to help you better understand your patterns and explore your goals, understanding that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. If you think we might be a good fit, feel free to reach out!

Welcome! Reaching out and embarking on the journey of the therapeutic process is vulnerable and incredibly brave. I work with folks who are experiencing a range of life's challenges, including OCD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and relational challenges. I also have a special interest and experience in working with perinatal concerns. I build my practice around the belief that the most impactful therapeutic work occurs when there is a strong foundation of trust and understanding between the client and therapist. I will work to create a space with you where you can feel seen, heard, and safely challenged to grow and flourish.

I see therapy as a collaborative effort between myself and my clients. As a queer black woman, my goal is to provide space for those like me and others who have felt silenced and marginalized a majority of their lives. I have a passion for working with women of color and LGBTQIA+ identifying folks. If you find yourself experiencing things like depression and anxiety, or low self-esteem/self-concept, I may be a good fit for you. I have past experience working with clients on things like life adjustments (moving, end of a relationship, career change, etc.), grief and loss, day-to-day stressors, and relationship concerns - romantic, platonic, familial, and professional.

As a Licensed School Counselor and Clinical Mental Health Counselor, I know each of us face challenges, life transitions, and pain. The bulk of my work is dedicated to helping clients with anxiety, depression, life transitions, and interpersonal challenges. Additionally, I have a passion for working with clients who are academically gifted or twice exceptional! I work with clients to bring meaning and understanding to how their thoughts, beliefs and life experiences impact their actions and related outcomes. I draw on Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Exposure Response Prevention principles and interventions to encourage insight and behavioral change. I know seeking therapy and finding a therapist is a risk that feels scary to many. My goal is to honor that bravery, hold space for anything you bring to the table, and help you move forward in a safe and comfortable environment.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.