Therapists for college students near Durham, NC

Avela Health offers comprehensive virtual autism evaluations and tailored therapeutic programs for young adults — with no waitlists and no commute. Our Master's- and doctoral-level providers build individualized care plans designed around what you actually need to thrive. From evaluations that deliver clarity without the wait to therapeutic programs for everyday life, every service is built around you as an individual, never stretched to fit a default protocol. We use only leading, evidence-based approaches, and we track outcomes continuously to make sure care is genuinely helping you make progress. 97% of clients say Avela made their world — and their everyday life — better. We're in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield in NJ, PA, and SC, and expanding.

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

So often, life can feel overwhelming. You may be navigating big transitions, trying to be a good partner, or feeling the pressure to hold everything together - while inside you feel like you’re barely managing. These struggles can feel lonely, but you don’t have to go through them alone. Therapy provides a supportive space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and gain clarity and insight into your experiences. I offer compassionate, person-centered therapy for adults 18+ navigating a variety of issues. My work is tailored to each individual and may draw on mindfulness, skills-building, and exploration of your experiences to support you in whatever you are navigating. I am passionate about supporting women’s mental health, including pregnancy and postpartum concerns, and can also offer support for couples. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel intimidating, but I will meet you with warmth, curiosity, and nonjudgment, offering space for you to feel seen and supported. If you're ready to take that next step, I'd be honored to walk with you on the journey.

I have specialized in working with college and university undergraduate and graduate students since my graduate training and I have worked in six different college and university counseling centers. I have innate knowledge about the experiences that are relevant to college and undergraduate students and it is my mission to provide support in helping navigate the journey during this integral time of development. I have experience supporting students through general academic stress and concerns as well as compounding stressors relevant to diversity, culture and identity. Finally, I understand the intersection that other factors have during the college and university experience (i.e., family, friend and romantic relationship building and conflict, social injustice, financial stress, career uncertainty, etc.)

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.

All of us face times when life brings more than we can manage alone. Asking for help—even when asking is hard—is the first step toward a different experience. I have faced my own struggles, and I find deep joy and fulfillment in walking with others on their journeys toward healing, connection, and reawakened hope. As a mental health therapist, I support my clients to grow and thrive, to move toward what wellness means to them, and to deepen their connections both to others and to their own strengths and resources. Above all, I prioritize building a safe therapist-client relationship in which clients feel seen, respected, empowered, and welcomed as their full and authentic selves. My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and experiential. In our counseling sessions, we will work together collaboratively to identify your goals for therapy and agree on strategies to move toward them. We may explore your thoughts, beliefs, and stories, your emotions, your body’s wisdom, and your creativity during our time together. We won’t just talk about what’s wrong—we’ll actively practice ways of making it better. Throughout it all, we’ll make sure our work together feels safe, supportive, and truly helpful to you. Whether you are facing the challenges of everyday life, navigating change and uncertainty, healing from deeper traumas and self-protective patterns, or seeking greater safety and security within relationships, I would be honored to support you.

*While I am not in-network with the Dartmouth Student Health Plan, I do bill that plan directly as an out-of-network provider, and students only pay a $30 copay each session.* I have been working with college-age students and young professionals throughout my career, and have previously been employed at both The University of Vermont and Dartmouth College. My goal is to understand my clients' concerns through their lens while reflecting back what seems to be getting in the way of achieving their goals. I am a compassionate provider, who actively engages with my clients making every effort to provide direct and honest feedback. I understand the rigors and challenges of adjusting to college life and the real and perceived pressure that many college students face. I spend time understanding what my clients are hoping to get from therapy, and work hard to help them move from suffering to thriving. As a Mental Health Counselor and Registered Dietitian I consider a client holistically when assessing their needs and focus on the health of the body and the mind.

Welcome! I am Amy Castongia, a Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Telehealth Provider and owner of Calm Blue Waters Counseling. I will work with you to help you find the tools to cope and manage obstacles that have kept you from obtaining your goals. My training is in treating adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety and depression. I strive to provide an open, nonjudgmental, and warm environment where clients can grow, including through online therapy. I want you to have a new perspective by the time your session is complete.

Being a human is a difficult job! But you're doing it. Together we can find ways to make it feel a little easier. If you're feeling overwhelmed, struggling to cope with the day to day, or have little support or people to turn to therapy is a great option. I'm here as an impartial ear to listen, problem solve and support. I offer a safe and accepting space for you to process whatever it is that's going on right now. I think of myself as a collaborator, ready to meet you wherever you're at within your process. Although I specialize in DBT, I use multiple approaches in order to best support your needs within a session. I have a background working in social justice initiatives and utilize an anti-oppresive lens that is an inclusive and safe space for all identities. I know that finding the right therapist is vulnerable work that requires persistence and tenacity and I am honored to be considered. ​Please feel free to reach out to see if I'm the right fit. I look forward to hearing from you!

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 am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to the belief that connection - to ourselves, each other, and the natural world - is the catalyst for true transformation. While I welcome individuals at any stage of life's journey, I am especially passionate about supporting young adults, women, and those navigating depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Autism. My approach is rooted in meeting you exactly where you are to foster healing, growth, and meaningful change.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Johanna believes in change. Her therapy is not just talking; it is working with you to achieve your goals and see results. Johanna has expertise working with anxiety, mood, and personality disorders. She also has many years working with clients struggling with disordered eating behaviors. Johanna has been trained in various methods to address trauma and the impact of trauma on clients' lives. Also, Johanna is licensed in several states, which allow clients to continue their therapy journey if you are a college student or need to travel for work. Johanna utilizes treatment modalities such as ACT, CBT, & DBT which aim to solve problems concerning overwhelming emotions, behaviors, and cognitions, while increasing effective skills. She is trained in EMDR which is a highly effective therapy addressing trauma issues. Also, her therapy utilizes a strength based approach, one that focuses on the positives. Johanna has nearly 20 years of experience in the mental health field working with a variety of clients. By combining a supportive approach with an accepting environment, she knows together you can meet your goals! Johanna looks forward to working with you! (She is licensed in the states of CT, FL, GA, IA, NC, SC, & TN.)

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step? You’re not alone. I work with students who are navigating big transitions, juggling academic pressure, and trying to manage relationships, identity, and self-care all at once. Some come to me because they feel anxious, stuck, or easily overwhelmed. Others are working through past hurts, challenges with self-esteem, or patterns in friendships and dating that aren’t serving them. Our sessions are a space to slow down, sort through what’s on your mind, and find practical tools for coping, communicating, and building the life you want. I take a warm, collaborative approach — you bring your experiences, I bring strategies and perspective, and together we work toward change that feels realistic and sustainable. Whether you’re seeking a place to process feelings, learn new skills, or explore who you are, my goal is to make therapy a space where you feel understood, supported, and equipped to move forward.

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.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Accepting new clients! I’m Aimee (they/she), a queer and disabled therapist, admitted journaling and stationery addict, strawberry matcha lover, loving wife, and cat and dog mom to a wild tortie calico and weenie dog. I specialize in working with queer and trans folks, as well as folks navigating religious trauma, complex trauma, identity work, and substance misuse. I offer mental health and recovery services for adults 18+ in North Carolina and South Carolina. Meet with me in my cozy office in Winston-Salem, NC or join me virtually from the comfort of your home. This space is for the questioners, deep feelers, critical thinkers, artists, muses, queerfolk, neurodivergent minds, and the beautifully complex. In session, I meet you exactly where you are, without judgment, as we gently explore the patterns shaping your life. If you know the ache of feeling disconnected from yourself, of looking in the mirror and not quite landing in who you are, you are not alone. Together, we will cultivate compassion so you can reconnect, soften, and begin to truly love the person looking back at you.