Therapists for college students near Duke University

Congratulations for taking a positive step to move forward with your life! Are you courageous, ready for change, tired of the same problems keeping you from happiness and need support about where to go from here? Are you struggling with anxiety, unresolved trauma/grief, depression, negative thoughts, sleeplessness, meaninglessness? Are you finding yourself in dead-end relationships or jobs? Do you struggle with chronic pain or other chronic health issues that you just can't resolve? Have you tried working with others who haven't helped? As a holistic psychotherapist, life & health coach, I can provide an effective alternative. I specialize in helping men, women & young adults develop healthy personal & professional relationships, increase self-esteem/confidence and improve anxiety, depression & holistic wellness. I support helping professionals better care for themselves & am certified to provide safe, effective holistic trauma therapy (EMDR, tapping, hypnotherapy, mindfulness). With my unique holistic training & experience, I can actually help you gain better control and improve your life with effective interventions that are powerful, safe, immediate, and lasting. Try me and see. I have evening hours and a comfortable, private home office in a quiet, safe, neighborhood in Jamestown that is centrally located in the Triad. Distance sessions are available using HIPAA-compliant video software. Please visit my website at https://www.phoenixway.net/distance for details.

Many of the clients I work with share a deep sense of responsibility for others and struggle to feel permission to rest, take up space, or express their own needs. They’re often self-aware and thoughtful but find themselves stuck in old patterns of people-pleasing, over-functioning, or self-criticism. My clients are usually seeking relief from anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection from self, longing instead for steadiness, self-trust, and relationships that feel mutual and safe.

Life can feel overwhelming at times — but you don’t have to face it alone. At Intentional Purpose Counseling PLLC, we create a safe, nonjudgmental space to help you unpack life’s challenges, rediscover your strengths, and cultivate calm, confidence, and connection in your daily life. We are currently accepting self-pay clients (with a sliding scale available for those who qualify) and in-network with BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. You can also find and schedule with us conveniently through Headway.

I help college students and young adults who struggle with anxiety, life transitions, and relationship issues. Reach out for a free 15 minute phone consultation! My clients struggle like you do. Adjusting to college life is hard, making new friends, new relationships, new freedoms away from family, or finally discovering who you truly are doesn't come without growing pains. Often, I hear that my clients initially didn't think they needed therapy because they're getting through life just fine. On the outside your friends, family, or professors say you look fine, but inside you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and burned out. You don't have to feel this way. You deserve to feel happy, self assured, confident, and proud of the path you're on. I'd love to help you on your journey to being your most confident self! Your problems aren't too big or small for therapy. I can help! Reach out today, and let's get started.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

Our areas of expertise include parenting challenges, attention and focus difficulties (including ADHD), anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, couples and marriage counseling, and issues related to retirement and life transitions. We take a goal-oriented, solution-focused approach, working collaboratively with clients to develop practical strategies that foster growth and well-being.

The world is intense right now, isn’t it? And on top of it all, you're having to juggle school, a social life, and everything else! I imagine you might be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, tense, stuck, lonely, ashamed, worried, sad, or any other number of feelings. Or maybe you just feel numb or not sure what you’re feeling anymore. That’s okay. All of you is welcome here. I’m here to support you wherever you are, working together to explore your world and where to go from here. Whether it be the systems we live in, events from your past or present, the patterns inside you, connections in your life, or something else that brings you here, we will explore next steps together. My counseling style integrates many different elements. I am person-centered, where I seek to understand your experience from your perspective, and use multicultural counseling, where I consider the systems that impact your life. I am trauma-focused, trained in EMDR therapy and acute stress modalities to support you in moving through trauma, whether it be acute, ongoing, or long past. I also have a somatic focus, inviting your body’s wisdom and parts into the session, and an attachment-based lens, looking at how your early relationships influence how you relate to others now. I most often work with people who have experienced trauma, who have negative beliefs about themself they just can't shake, and/or who are in the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those who are trans* or gender expansive. I also have experience supporting neurodiverse people; individuals struggling with anxiety or grief; and people going through personal, spiritual, vocational, and relational transitions. I know the search for a counselor can be difficult because I have been there many times myself. Please reach out if you have any questions! I would love to connect and see if we might be a good fit to begin a counseling journey together. A little about me outside of being a counselor: I enjoy wandering in nature, dancing, reading, playing board games, and connecting with loved ones near and far. I also spend a fair bit of time on my own self-growth, including undoing racism within me, taking care of my wounded parts, and reaching out for support as needed.

We can all benefit from gaining insights, learning skills, and having “tune ups” along the way. If you’re feeling stuck, struggling with how you feel about yourself or in relationship with someone, experiencing unwanted or intrusive thoughts or memories from a past experience, ruminating on negative thoughts or beliefs, or feeling anxious or depressive symptoms, you don’t have to walk through it alone! Our therapists use various counseling approaches that include evidence based treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Because we are out of network, we can also get creative within our work with you. We’ll utilize appropriate techniques such as music or walk-and-talk therapy and can even take “field trips” with you if we deem it beneficial in your treatment (ie- restaurant outings, exposure therapy for certain phobias, home visits, etc.)

I can help you gain a better sense of control in life, and of your thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. I provide the guidance needed for you to improve your communication and relationships and help you move past challenges that are blocking you from achieving your personal goals.

We are a highly trained team of therapists specialized in treating ages 13 to 25 and the daily struggles that come with this stage of life particularly as you transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Through these life transitions we strive to empower our clients by providing them with the tools, insight, and self-awareness to manage and cope with difficult emotions and urges that they face on a day-to-day basis, build stronger lasting relationships and support systems, and increase their sense of self-worth. We are specialized in treating high acuity mental health struggles, healing trauma, and providing family support. Treatment approaches include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, consultation services, and Intensive Outpatient Treatment.

My clients often struggle with challenges in their relationship’s whether they be romantic, friendly, or family relationships. My clients worry about abandonment, often finding issues from their past show up and negatively affect their relationships. Some feel they may be in a codependent relationship but not sure. Our work together will help you understand how past pain affects present relationships. Then we will work at unpacking that baggage, organize it, and put it away in a safe place. Although it may never truly go away, you can confront it in a way that allows you to move forward and find happiness. My goal is to get to know you and the issues that bring you to counseling. We will work together to help you establish a baseline of calm, good self-care, and coping skills. This will help you feel safe and secure before we dive into unpacking the things that are causing you pain. Together we will set goals, to help you realize all of your unique strengths, create healthy boundaries, and self-esteem to build a happier, healthier life, I look forward to working with you.

My passion is for helping people grow their self-confidence, improve communication skills, and build resilience. I work with teens and adults who are experiencing mental health distress, feel stuck and are looking to make changes to experience more joy in life. Through working with me, clients enhance their emotion regulation, establish new effective coping skills, and heal past trauma. LQBGTIA+ issues, recovery maintenance, anxiety and depression are common reason people seek treatment with me. My focus is to help individuals heal and progress through identifying their inner strengths. This is accomplished by providing an open space to hear your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. I am also a LGBTQIA+ allied therapist so I strive to provide a safe and supportive environment to everyone who comes to see me.

If you’ve landed here you are probably seeking connection, and hope to find the right professional to support you. Something has gotten in the way, or you’ve lost your way to a life that is rich and meaningful. It may be about fractured relationship, debilitating emotional struggles, over-reliance on a substance, the grip of social media, the persistence of trauma, or elusive life balance. Or you may wish to deepen progress you’ve already made in making a life worth living. I offer the wisdom and skills that come from over 30 years working in mental health. My 20+ years as a licensed therapist have included direct work with people of all ages and in all combinations, often as I also served in leadership positions in residential programs. My primary approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including ACT for Trauma. Depending on what is useful, I weave elements of Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. The work I do is informed by Buddhist Psychology, and often includes guidance in the use of specific meditation techniques to bring clarity and growth. My own life has been enriched by my experience as a person in long-term recovery, my dedicated mindfulness/meditation practice, and my immersion in the outdoors wherever my travels take me.

At Elevate and Evolve Therapy, I strive to create a virtual therapeutic space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood, and where healing is approached collaboratively without judgment. I understand how experiences such as trauma, chronic stress, neurodivergence, and life transitions can shape the way you see yourself, relate to others, and move through the world. The therapy space with Elevate and Evolve honors your experiences while helping you build a path forward. You don't need to become a different person to feel better.

Allow me to support as you take the first step toward growth and healing. Work through symptoms and/or trauma to begin healing.

We offer you a safe and compassionate space to explore and address issues such as: ~Managing and overcoming anxiety to regain control of your life. ~Supporting high achievers in finding balance and fulfillment beyond their accomplishments. ~Helping you separate your worth from your work and cultivate self-acceptance. ~Navigating sexual issues, sexual anxiety, or discovering your authentic sexual self. ~Guiding you in creating and nurturing healthy, meaningful relationships. ~Challenging patterns of self-criticism and fostering a stronger sense of self-worth. ~Providing support for those struggling with substance abuse/addiction and seeking recovery. ~Learning effective ways to resolve conflict with empathy and clarity. ~Improving communication skills to express yourself confidently and connect with others. ~Helping you break free from the relentless drive of perfectionism to embrace growth and self-compassion. ~Addressing feelings of imposter syndrome, helping you trust your abilities and own your successes.

Enrolling to college really does feel like being thrown to the wolves. While supports exist, navigating those can feel overwhelming. Let's navigate them together and to support who you are genuinely are.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, insecure, anxious, or confused as to what you feel? I can help. I am Kristi Cole, a licensed therapist who is passionate about helping others struggling with anxiety, overwhelming emotions, low self-esteem, and school/work-life balance. I can help you learn how to identify and change troubling thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; set healthy boundaries; improve communication skills; and gain confidence. I have spent over 14 years working with people of diverse backgrounds with a wide range of treatment needs. I use a nonjudgmental approach while providing a safe place to process thoughts and emotions. I apply concepts from a variety of research-based theories, such as solutions-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or interpersonal therapy (IPT). I also like to incorporate humor into sessions when appropriate.