Find a Therapist in Raleigh, NC

Graciela Aires Rust is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a PhD, known for her compassionate and holistic approach to mental health. Recognizing the deep interconnection between an individual's mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, she offers a comprehensive framework that allows clients to see themselves as whole beings. With extensive training and experience, Graciela provides modern evidence-based practices alongside ancient healing modalities, including meditation and energy healing. Her warm and empathetic style is prevalent in her work with individuals, couples, families, and groups, addressing a wide range of issues such as mood disorders, relationship challenges, trauma, anxiety, and grief. Graciela creates a safe and collaborative environment, guiding clients to uncover and navigate challenges, thought patterns, and behaviors that impede their quality of life. Together, they work towards removing, healing, or diminishing obstacles, enabling individuals to achieve a more satisfying and integrated existence.

Lauren Alvarez, a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor, holds a Masters in Counselor Education with a focus in Clinical Mental Health from ECU, graduating in December of 2013. She became a fully Licensed Professional Counselor in March 2017 after three years of extensive experience in the counseling field. Lauren has worked across various environments, including hospitals, child advocacy centers, and domestic violence shelters, serving populations in both Spanish and English. Her expertise encompasses a broad spectrum, addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, family dynamics, and trauma, while providing support for individuals, families, and LGBTQ+ clients. With a deep commitment to positive change, Lauren employs a variety of therapeutic approaches, including trauma-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and structural family therapy, tailoring her methods to meet the unique needs of each client. Her lifelong passion for helping others drives her to empower clients on their journey towards fulfillment and improved well-being.

Dr. Amar Saxena (he/they) is a Licensed Psychologist with nearly a decade of experience specializing in therapy and psychological testing. As an openly queer and trans person of color, Dr. Saxena draws from his unique experiences of privilege and oppression, which deeply inform his clinical practice. He integrates themes of multiculturalism, social justice, intersectionality, liberation, and feminism into his therapy sessions as needed. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to serving the LGBTQ+ community, particularly focusing on trans, non-binary, and gender diverse clients. Dr. Saxena is sex-positive and inclusive, welcoming individuals from all sexual and relational identities, including kink and polyamorous communities. His practice is informed by neurodiversity principles, trauma-awareness, and Health At Every Size (HAES) perspectives. Dr. Saxena holds a strong passion for aiding individuals in navigating depression, anxiety, family of origin issues, PTSD, complex trauma, life transitions, and grief. As a generalist, his therapeutic approach often blends relational, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), mindfulness, and existential strategies. His goal is to ensure that every client feels safe, heard, understood, accepted, and supported in their unique journey toward healing and growth.

Adina Ambar Middleman is a compassionate clinical social worker and therapist with over 20 years of experience serving a diverse population. She understands that life can bring unexpected challenges, and she emphasizes the importance of finding resources to cope, heal, and transcend adversity. Adina's eclectic background allows her to deliver empathetic, multi-faceted clinical treatment to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her expertise lies in navigating life’s transitions, particularly for those facing struggles with family dynamics, relationship distress, school or work-related stressors, and identity issues. She possesses significant experience with clients grappling with unhealthy communication patterns, which often manifest as the root of individual and family struggles. By guiding clients toward empathetic understanding and providing effective self-advocacy tools, Adina aids them in healing wounds and overcoming relationship barriers. She believes that communication is the cornerstone of connection. Adina is trained in the powerful therapeutic technique of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), officially recognized by the EMDRIA Institute. For those feeling trapped by a challenging past or encountering roadblocks in traditional therapy, she offers EMDR as a transformative approach to reduce emotional triggers and enable clients to manage difficult memories more effectively.

Jessica Ann Frawley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a graduate degree from Columbia University, NYC, and over 10 years of experience in providing mental health therapy. She understands that life can be overwhelming, especially when balancing responsibilities, relationships, and personal growth. Jessica is dedicated to creating a compassionate space where clients feel heard, respected, and open to exploring their thoughts and feelings. In this supportive environment, she facilitates the development of insight and personal goals. Whether clients are dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, or life transitions, Jessica looks forward to guiding them through their journey towards healing and fulfillment.

Christina Ann Labond is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), specializing in trauma, anxiety, and interpersonal relationships. Her life's work revolves around empowering adults and elders to recognize their true potential and break down barriers inhibiting personal growth. With a strong passion for working with individuals on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, Christina employs a neuro and trauma-informed perspective, guiding her clients in understanding how their habitual behavioral, cognitive, and emotional patterns can be changed. By utilizing an array of evidence-based therapy modalities, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), she fosters an environment where lasting neural plasticity and regeneration can occur. Christina's focus on complex trauma, self-worth, and healthy attachment patterns allows her to help individuals find meaning, improve self-image, and build fulfilling interpersonal relationships. For those ready to take the next step in their healing journey, she warmly invites them to explore their strengths and needs in a supportive consultation.

Therapeutic Arts Center / Sharing Dance is guided by a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), BC-DMT, CRC, who specializes in addressing issues such as sexual abuse, trauma, and PTSD. This skilled therapist works with a diverse clientele, including preteens, children ages 6 to 10, teens, elders 65 and older, and adults. For those who may be experiencing ongoing anger, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, anxiety, or depression, the therapist understands how these struggles can diminish joy and complicate forward movement in life. Utilizing dance/movement therapy, they offer a unique, physical dimension to conventional 'talk' therapies, enabling clients to embody their thoughts and feelings and practice navigating potential solutions. With an integrated counseling approach, the therapist focuses on empowering clients to reach their full potential while promoting wellness and recovery through strength-based movement techniques. They tailor their therapeutic methods, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma Focused therapy, Brainspotting, EMDR, and more, to meet the specific needs of each individual. Whether someone has previously sought help through other methods or is new to therapy altogether, Therapeutic Arts Center / Sharing Dance warmly invites those interested to explore this transformative approach.

Lauren Askew is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate dedicated to providing compassionate counseling for children and families. With a focus on enhancing the well-being of children facing challenges such as anxiety, anger, depression, attention concerns, and adjustments to life changes, Lauren takes a holistic approach by engaging the entire family in the therapeutic process. She adeptly utilizes play therapy for early elementary-aged children (ages 4-9) and employs talk therapy techniques for older children and teens. Her expertise extends to working with multicultural families, reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusion. By partnering with families, Lauren aims to foster resilience and support each child's journey toward emotional health and well-being.

Amy Baker is a compassionate and skilled therapist with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. Specializing in relationships, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, and abuse, she offers a warm and inviting approach that encourages clients to share their experiences. Through a unique blend of non-judgmental listening and creativity, she collaborates with individuals, couples, families, and adolescents to foster self-awareness and confidence while navigating life's challenges. Amy is well-versed in evidence-based practices and believes that the therapeutic alliance is a vital component for successful outcomes. Her client-centered methodology allows her to tailor her services to meet the unique needs of each individual, ensuring a personalized healing experience.

Marilyn Bara, LCSW, is dedicated to guiding individuals in resolving the issues that lead them to therapy. She helps her clients gain insight into the personal and environmental factors that may contribute to their challenges. With a foundation in both insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches, Marilyn views therapy as a collaborative partnership between the patient and therapist. Her mission is to achieve stability, restore functioning, and address long-standing problematic behavior patterns, all while fostering lifelong growth, renewed energy, self-development, and enhanced relationships. Since beginning her practice in 1990, she has worked with a diverse range of conditions, including addictions, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, life transitions, relationship issues, and trauma. Marilyn also finds joy in helping individuals improve their lifestyle management, self-care, and overall quality of life. Utilizing psycho-education, empathic understanding, psychological insight, and practical problem-solving, she empowers her clients to develop a strong and reliable internal capacity to manage and enjoy life as effectively as possible.

J Bass is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate who understands that individuals seeking support possess the intrinsic ability and desire for personal growth and change. With a Person-Centered approach, J views clients not as flawed but as evolving individuals with unique stories. They expertly employ a variety of counseling techniques, including unconditional positive regard and theories such as Nurture Play Structure (NPS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and Gestalt therapy, ensuring an individualized plan of care tailored to each client's needs. J fosters a collaborative therapeutic process, guiding clients to enhance self-awareness and gain new perspectives. By creating a safe and nurturing space, J allows clients to explore their stories and understand their impacts, ultimately empowering them to construct a more fulfilling reality. J earned a Master of Counselor Education in Clinical Mental Health from North Carolina Central University in August 2021 and holds a license in Idaho as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Phillip Bass is a compassionate and highly skilled counselor, holding multiple advanced degrees (MDiv, ThM, MA) and credentials (LCMHC, NCC) that underscore his expertise in the field. He brings a wealth of experience to adults and elders (65+), especially in areas concerning marital and premarital challenges, trauma, and PTSD, as well as supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Phillip specializes in various therapeutic modalities, including the Gottman Method, EMDR, and Emotionally Focused therapy. His diverse approach integrates techniques from clinical supervision, family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), among others, ensuring that each individual's unique needs are addressed. Phillip's dedication to fostering healing and personal growth makes him a trusted guide for individuals, couples, and families navigating life's complexities.

Kelley Baughman is a dedicated counselor with a heartfelt commitment to walking alongside clients on their unique life journeys. With a focus on supporting and empowering individuals, Kelley believes in meeting clients where they are and viewing them as whole persons. Her approach emphasizes the importance of addressing not only the problems at hand but also the broader context of each individual's life and environment. Utilizing a range of counseling techniques, Kelley integrates evidence-based therapies such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as Internal Family Systems and Attachment Theory, to tailor her methods to each client's needs. She is also experienced in incorporating Christian faith into the therapeutic process, should clients desire this integration. Kelley works with teens, adults, and elders, successfully addressing issues like mood disorders, chronic illness, trauma, and PTSD in a culturally sensitive manner.