Therapists for college students near Duke University

100% virtual appointments to save you time and allow you to be seen where you are comfortable. We teach evidence based skills to help you work on areas that are important to you. We believe in partnering with you by being real humans, being non judgemental, and offering you support and care.

You are sitting in therapy watching your therapist's lips move while she tells you for the fourth time that her cousin is gay and just got a “very butch” haircut. You can’t help thinking, “She just doesn’t get it.” He misgenders you, or forgets your partner’s pronouns, she pulls out Food and Mood, and he talks about how apple cider vinegar might be the solution to all your problems. She hasn't lived in a fat body. He hasn’t experienced homophobia or heterosexism from the inside. What initially seemed like a small hill to climb in your relationship has started to feel like a mountain. Maybe she tells you your black top is so slimming. Maybe once he referred to queer people as ‘homosexuals.’ Maybe, when you report your experiences of oppression, she tells you that the other party probably meant well and just wanted you to be healthier or have it easier in the world. You don’t trust him with your whole self, how can you? You’ve tried so many therapists in the past and she’s not that bad, is she? You continue to hope that therapy with a therapist who doesn’t quite get it will be enough to meet your needs. It’s not enough. You deserve a therapist who understands your lived experiences. You deserve a therapist who knows what it’s like to have your doctor prescribe weight loss to treat arthritis in your wrists, and who can truly hear it when you tell them about your experience with your homophobic aunt at Thanksgiving. You deserve a therapist who approaches the world with a solid intersectional anti-oppression framework that sees society, rather than some flaw in you, as the central piece of your problem. I can be that therapist. I’m fat, I’m queer, I have an intersectional lens, and I want to dismantle systems of oppression one client session at a time.

I specialize in meeting with people experiencing anxiety, attention difficulty, impulsive/risk-taking behaviors, depression, and interpersonal conflict. My first priority is in collaborating with my clients to create spaces where change feels possible. I am especially attentive to the ideas of reducing stigma surrounding mental health care, trust associated with strict confidentiality, and increasing motivation using strengths- and evidence-based techniques. I bring an integrative approach to therapy, combining aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and DBT (including Mindfulness) to find the best way forward for each client. I have experiences working with clients of all ages, across different clinical settings. I spent much of the past decade living and working overseas, managing an Eco-Lodge in northern Malawi, teaching English at a hagwon in South Korea, and working remotely as a therapist from Brazil. I enjoy playing basketball, reading (mostly sci-fi!), rock climbing, and managing far too many podcast subscriptions.

Welcome! I am a warm, sensitive, compassionate and positive person, which is the foundation for the work I do as a therapist. I connect well and welcome diversity in my clients, and I have a unique ability to be supportive and give positive feedback, while also encouraging you to challenge yourself and push ahead towards your goals. In my practice, I provide an accepting, non-judgmental environment which helps facilitate a trusting, caring relationship with my clients. My approach is client-centered and solution-focused. I also incorporate strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT).

I named my practice Conversations Therapy because I have always felt that the words “therapy” and “counseling” have a bad reputation. Some people think that seeking therapy is admitting weakness; others think that their therapist will judge them or tell them that they are “bad” or “broken.” In reality, neither of these things could be further from the truth. Rather, seeking therapy requires strength and determination. Furthermore, therapy can and should be a good experience. At Conversations Therapy, I believe that you are the expert of your own life. As your therapist, my job is to guide you through your complex emotions so that you can gain better clarity on your life. My motto is “Be your authentic self.” I welcome people regardless of their age, background, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender identity, or any other identity a human being might hold. I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your feelings and express yourself freely. I encourage you to be yourself and your whole self. In our therapy sessions, we will look at the whole of you and see how your different experiences and emotions have impacted your life.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi! I’m Briana, a therapist who loves working with college students. I know this time in your life can feel exciting, overwhelming, confusing, and full of possibility—all at once. Whether you're dealing with stress from classes, relationships, identity questions, or just figuring out who you are and what you want, you're not alone. I've worked on college campuses for years and feel so lucky to be part of this chapter with the students I support. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and empowered to make sense of what you're going through. Let’s figure it out together.

If you’re struggling emotionally as a young adult, you’re not alone. Transitioning into adulthood has always been tough, but Generation Z is facing a fresh set of challenges. You’ve grown up in a world where post-9/11 security, recessions, and lockdown drills are the norm. Then, two crucial years of your life were upended by a global pandemic. It’s no wonder so many young adults are struggling with anxiety, depression, and despair. I will help you overcome these challenges. My approach is based in cognitive behavioral therapy, but my methodology is specifically adapted for young adults. I work with individuals aged 17–24, offering compassionate, pragmatic support. My advice will be tailored around your unique needs and goals. You will receive honest feedback, gentle pushes, and proven tools for building a better life. Together, we can find the solutions that work for you. Best of all, because I offer virtual appointments, you can get the help you need right from the comfort of your own home (or dorm room).

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My clients often want a place where they don’t have to perform or explain everything perfectly. They’re dealing with stress, transitions, or relationship struggles and want support that feels real, supportive, and down to earth.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

If things at home are tense, chaotic, or not working, therapy can guide you to repairing, restructuring and rebuilding these relationships. Often, people get sucked into repeated conflicts that go in circles, reach stalemate, or always end the same. Having a therapist to guide these conversations can help these conflicts become conversations... conversations where each person feels heard, understood, and supported. Conversations like these can heal old wounds, create a foundation for lasting change, and help people reconnect. Therapy is meant to help you uncover the hidden messages your emotions are trying to tell you every day. I am a licensed clinical social worker, a clinical supervisor. I have been extensively trained in Family Systems, Family Structural, and Eco-systemic Family Therapy, and also train other clinicians in these approaches. I have also been trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Let me help you create time to dedicate to the things that you deeply want, need and care about. Depression, anxiety, shame, and anger are usually symptoms of things within yourself that you have neglected, given up on, or settled for. Instead of just treating the symptoms, I want to help you get to the core of what these emotions are trying to tell you.

Grief, relationships, trauma, health concerns, life transitions, family dynamics, depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Bipolar and persistent mental illness. I offer support to individuals to become and maintain the best version of themselves. I strive to achieve this by creating a safe, supportive and empowering environment for all clients. As a counselor, I work from a person-centered approach to therapy, partnering with you to meet you where you are, leverage individual strengths and identify areas of growth and resilience. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery. In our sessions. I aim to create a healthy rapport with clients, free of bias and judgement. During this journey, I will encourage you to be open, honest and passionate in order to explore your true self. I welcome your experiences and the story your life has to tell. I look forward to working with you.

Are you finding it hard to deal with life transitions, having relationship issues, work related stress, self-esteem and dealing with some anxiety about life’s uncertainties? Are you feeling like life is difficult to cope with and you are in search of someone who can help sort out your symptoms? I specialize in working with college students of color who are navigating the complexities of self-esteem, self-confidence, boundary setting, relationship issues or general phase of life concerns. Most people are looking for a safe space to express their concerns and I can provide that.

Life can be overwhelming at times. Having to struggle with issues such as depression, anxiety, self-image etc. while dealing with day-to-day life can take its toll. Learning how to take control of your emotions is essential to bettering both your mental health and your life. This can be done by setting goals and working towards them. Let me help you get there. I specialize in assisting, children, adolescents and adults how to cope with symptoms of depression, anxiety, poor self-image and the difficulties of life through collaborative relationship. I use a holistic-approach to understand who you are as a person and create strategies to tackle the obstacles life has thrown at you. I strive to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for my clients so that they can acknowledged the distress that they feel and create a positive new normal.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

NEW CLIENTS WELCOME -- Your anxiety has gotten out of control, and your trauma is calling the shots. You’re mentally reliving your lowest moments over & over, unsettling heartache creeping up when you least expect it. Your relationships or career have begun falling apart as a result of the fear & lack of control you’ve been feeling. You want to come up for air, but the waves keep pushing you back under and you just don’t know how much longer you can tread water... But you’ve found a safe harbor here. I offer a variety of specialized interventions, such as EMDR, CBT, and traditional talk therapy, to calm the storm. Our work together will focus on actually healing the brain and getting you relief quickly by going beyond, “How do you feel about that?” while feeling low-key, comfortable, and authentic. If you are someone who is seeking to improve your quality of life, career, and relationships, you’ve come to the right place.

Therapy is an opportunity to help people diminish pain and suffering, cope with the challenges of life, and gain support through fear and loss. I hope to bring compassion and attentiveness that creates space for healing. I have twelve years of experience in a variety of therapeutic settings. I am passionate about helping you find your identity and self-worth so you'll be able to succeed in every aspect of your life. I am LGBTQ affirming and open to all faiths. Ultimately, I hope to help you identify the hope and strength already within you. I specialize in areas of anxiety, perinatal and women's health, spirituality and trauma, life transitions, and domestic violence. I utilize a variety of resources including emotion-focused therapy, CBT, attachment work and mindfulness. Most importantly, I work with each client to tailor my approach to the goals and strengths of the individual.

Overwhelmed? Struggling to adjust? Confused on your next steps in life? You're in the right place and on the path to heal and grow. I help students struggling with finding purpose, experience low motivation, loss of passion, or struggling in relationships with themselves and others. My role as your therapist is to serve as a guide on your healing path of self-efficacy, self-fulfillment, and wellness.

The pressure to succeed, the self-doubt that has you questioning your own potential, and the anxiety that comes with wanting to get everything right really adds up faster than anyone tells you it will. And somehow, you're still showing up every day. I work with undergraduate and graduate students who are doing everything they're supposed to do and still feeling like something's off. Whether it's anxiety, identity, relationships, family, or just the weight of figuring out who you're becoming, we can work through it together, honestly and without judgment. I'm Melvin, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 9 years of experience, including time at the counseling centers of NC State and NCCU. Sessions are fully virtual, available to students anywhere in North Carolina, and built around your schedule. If something in you is ready for things to feel different then let's make some time to talk! Book a free 30-minute consultation or reach me directly at (919) 410-8553.