Therapists for college students near 27707
If you are having trouble fitting in or confirming to expectations, but still crave a sense of belonging, this is where we can sort it out with warm affirming care. I have 16 years of experience supporting marginalized individuals to learn effective self advocacy techniques and feel comfortable and safe in their current life. All while remaining hopeful about the future! Maybe you are an older person who is adjusting to a life that is different than what you are used to, or a neuro-divergent individual that is stressed out about social expectations, or a LGBTQ+ person looking for support to live as your authentic self. Sometimes our biggest road block to feeling content is ourselves. The way we think about our trauma, and treat our bodies are the first two areas I will explore with you. We will make a plan to be well everyday while you navigate relationships with peers, partners, family and caregivers. We will practice coping strategies to manage overwhelming expectations and most importantly strive for self acceptance.
Are you feeling stuck in your life? Unsure of how to change things for the better? Are you struggling with perfectionism, self-esteem, anxiety, adjusting to new or difficult life experiences? It can be overwhelming and isolating when you’re struggling emotionally. If you can relate to these experiences, there is hope. As a therapist I have to come to understand my clients needs and believe in the following: you can increase Self-acceptance, create positive change through your own Wisdom and begin to heal with the support of an Authentic and Nurturing therapeutic relationship. S.W.A.N. is more than just a name.
I am passionate about walking alongside people in healing journeys towards transformation and wholeness. I specialize in walking with people through healing from trauma, (both recent and childhood) and also enjoy assisting clients in finding healthy tools for living with and reducing experiences of anxiety, adhd, ocd and life stressors so that you can live your best life to the fullest! I also offer Christ centered counseling for those who desire that.
Hi there—I know college can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling ADHD, anxiety, or using substances to cope. I’m here to help you feel understood, not judged. Together, we’ll create a safe, supportive space where you can explore what’s going on, find relief, and start building the life you want—one step at a time. I offer telehealth therapy to students across North Carolina, including those at UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Asheville, NC State, ECU, App State, and UNC Charlotte. For in-person sessions, I welcome students attending Blue Ridge Community College, Brevard College, Mars Hill University, Warren Wilson College, UNC Asheville and other schools near Hendersonville, Asheville, and Western NC. My goal is to create a warm, affirming space to help you feel understood, empowered, and equipped to thrive—in class and in life.
Do you feel like you are strapped on a roller coaster of anxiety and depression and can't get off the ride? We can feel out of control because of life changes, relationships, and significant events. We can become stuck in our own unhealthy thoughts, emotions, actions, and responses. Sometimes we hyper-focus on relationships and fixing other people. Or we may develop unhealthy patterns when using things outside of ourselves to experience immediate relief and help us cope. This may include alcohol, marijuana, pills, food, porn, exercise, gaming, social media, shopping, and gambling. You need somewhere safe to talk about the hard stuff. Every person has difficulties that feel overwhelming at some point in their lives. Being willing to ask for assistance is a courageous gift to yourself. I find it gratifying to help people struggling with anxiety and depression related to challenges in life and relationships. You are worth your own effort in becoming a healthier version of yourself! I look forward to being a part of the journey!
Our experiences in this world, often based on identities or trauma, can leave us feeling stressed and uncertain. It's confusing to have your worries get in the way of making the connections with people that you long for; or to be so convinced you will fail that it's hard to take the first step in doing the next thing you want to do; or to be suddenly totally overwhelmed in the middle of this exciting new experience you'd been waiting for. Sometimes people need some help slowing down, reconnecting with themselves, and finding new ways to respond so that they can move forward with hope, self-compassion, and empowerment. I have spent many years working in college mental health, helping students from all identities and backgrounds navigate the growth and challenge of the college experience. My approach is collaborative. Together we figure out what's getting in the way for you. I'll be with you in the hard moments, naming and exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences so that you can find ways to respond to them that are helpful. Increased connection with your body is key. Let's also celebrate the wins, big and small, along the way. Finding a therapist that is a good fit is so important—if you're not comfortable enough to tell your therapist what's really going on, therapy won't work. Let's find a time to connect to see if I would be a good fit for you in your next step.
Are you navigating academic stress, burnout, perfectionism, or life transitions? At Neurodiverse Counseling, we provide neurodiversity-affirming therapy and adult ADHD and autism evaluations for students and young adults. We specialize in working with autistic individuals, ADHDers, and LGBTQIA+ clients. Clients often seek support for anxiety, depression, sensory processing differences, masking, executive functioning challenges, and difficulties with communication or relationships. Others come to us for help with low self-esteem, chronic illness, or processing trauma. We offer a compassionate space to heal, grow, and reconnect with your authentic self. Our team understands the unique pressures students face. We use evidence-based approaches including ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, IFS, and trauma-informed care, alongside neurodiversity-affirming practices to support emotional regulation, executive functioning, and meaningful growth. We offer teletherapy across Massachusetts, Florida, and North Carolina. Our diverse team includes neurodivergent, BIPOC, multilingual, and LGBTQIA+ clinicians, bringing both clinical expertise and lived experience to our work. If you’re looking for therapy that is collaborative, affirming, and tailored to your needs, we invite you to schedule a free consultation.
Join me in learning the tools and skills to intentionally create the life that you desire. I work with clients who are looking to strengthen trust in themselves. My overarching goal for every client who comes to see me is for them to have a more loving, compassionate relationship to themselves, others, and their past. I use a holistic collaborative approach to counseling that recognizes our unique multidimensional nature, and honors the connection between mind, emotions, energy, and body. Birdie, my office puppy, is a gentle presence who offers passive emotional support to clients who enjoy animal companionship. I work with adults, college students, teens, adolescents, couples, and families, to: 1. Identify harmful thought and behavior patterns, 2. Understand what's at the root of these patterns, 3. Cultivate tools and behaviors that encourage, rather than inhibit, growth. I offer compassionate, honest feedback, providing an outside lens that will allow you to see yourself more clearly. I believe everyone has the tools within them to heal and grow. You can reconnect with your authentic and confident self. Let's rekindle the spark within you and heal the past that is holding you back from the life you desire. I would be honored to assist you in opening up paths to trusting yourself and healing your past in your journey to wholeness.
Hello, and congratulations! Whether you realized or not, you just took your first step on the road toward becoming a better you. Let’s face it – being a human can be tough. Life transitions happen and can be scary, sometimes shaking us to our core. Helping you work through your past, present, and planning for a brighter future is where I come in. Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, you are in the driver’s seat of your own life. With that realization comes responsibility but also power. It is my life’s joy to empower others to design the life that they have always envisioned for themselves. When you are ready, we will uncover barriers, bust through obstacles, and build you up to where you are ready to take on the world. Some of those barriers could be past experiences that are causing you to experience trauma symptoms or memories that can weigh you down like a backpack full of books. You may be able to carry on for a while, but in time that backpack is going to slow down your progress and ability to maintain present activities. One of my favorite quotes is, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards,” by Soren Kierkegaard. Countless people before you have joined with a therapist or counselor and benefited from an objective view of their life and experiences. That is my goal, to look down from above and help you see things in a different light. Now for some information on my background: I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Music Performance from the University of TN at Chattanooga in 2013. I then went on to earn my Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the same university in 2016. Since then, I have worked intensely with youth and families at a nonprofit agency. I have experience with many various mental health issues and diagnoses and I particularly enjoy working with family issues. I have training in several models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), Community Advocacy Project (CAP), and Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). My therapeutic approach is collaborative, action- and goal-oriented. When we meet, I want to make sure you leave feeling validated but also with some tools to put into practice in your life outside of session. We will set goals together and regularly check in on progress toward these goals, determining where revisions may be needed. Also, no matter what life outside of session is like, I want to create a calm and safe space for you to be able to think and process clearly. If you have any questions about me or what to expect, feel free to reach out. I’m looking forward to working with you!
Starting therapy or returning to therapy can feel difficult or uncomfortable. My aim is to foster an environment of safety, openness, and authenticity to allow for greater progress towards a fulfilling, happy life. I offer individuals the tools to empower them to achieve goals and make meaningful decisions in their lives. You are the expert in your own life and I’m here as a support through your journey. I view therapy as a place to be curious and explore new ideas, exercises, or coping strategies in a nonjudgmental environment. I utilize a variety of clinical approaches to address individual’s needs. I have five years of experience working with those who have experienced various trauma in their lives. I enjoy working with adults and older adolescences (16+). My areas of expertise include working with individuals who have experienced domestic or sexual violence, interpersonal relationship challenges, and complex trauma. Please feel free to reach out to discuss therapy. I am here to listen and support.
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Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s totally okay if you're not sure what to expect. I work with students who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or just not like themselves lately. Maybe you're adjusting to college life, navigating relationships, dealing with academic pressure, or trying to figure out who you are and what you want. Many of the students I work with share a desire to understand themselves better and to feel more in control of their emotions and choices. You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin—we can work through it together. My style is warm, supportive, and down-to-earth. I’ll meet you where you are, and we’ll go at a pace that feels right for you. In our sessions, you can expect a safe, non-judgmental space to explore whatever’s on your mind. Therapy is a place to be heard, understood, and to grow. If you’re ready to get started—or even just curious—I’d be honored to support you.
I work with clients—children, teens, or adults—who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who they are becoming. They may be navigating anxiety, depression, identity questions, adoption-related challenges, trauma, grief, or big life transitions. They’re looking for a space where they can feel safe, understood, and supported. Their goal is to build resilience, strengthen emotional regulation, deepen connection, and feel more confident in their identity and relationships. They want to heal, grow, and rediscover a sense of possibility, and they’re seeking a therapist who can meet them with creativity, compassion, and curiosity. I help clients by offering a warm, creative space to explore emotions, strengthen identity, and build resilience. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, adoption, and LGBTQIA+ identity. Using expressive arts, MB-CBT, and trauma-informed approaches, I support healing, regulation, and confidence. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, you’re not alone. I offer a supportive space for you or your child to heal and grow. When you’re ready, reach out for a free 15 minute consultation, and we can explore your next steps together. I’d be honored to walk with you on this journey.
Are you controlled by the feeling that something bad is going to happen all the time? Life with anxiety can make everything feel on edge, exhausting and overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to. You can learn how to navigate the way you feel with ease and let go of self doubt. Through therapy, we work to build a relationship of trust so you feel comfortable sharing the true struggle and exhaustion you are facing day to day. From there, therapy will help validate your emotions and the experiences that shape who you are. You will receive weekly support into your struggles and a new perspective with insight into these very unique struggles. I will work with you to learn to love yourself by seeing yourself with compassion. We will work to see your flaws as your individualistic capabilities and learn more about why your brain operates on constant overdrive.
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
College is supposed to be exciting — but sometimes it’s just too much. If you’re stuck in your head, overthinking everything, or pretending you’re fine when you’re really not, you’re not alone. I help college students tackle anxiety, perfectionism, and all those “Who even am I?” moments — no B.S. My style is real, honest, and down-to-earth. We’ll call out what’s getting in your way and find tools that actually work, so you can feel clear, confident, and more like you again.
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About Me I enjoy working with a variety of client needs ranging from relationship issues and self-esteem issues to addiction and chronic mental health issues. I will work with you to identify and develop the counseling goals specific to your needs. If you are unsure of your therapy goals you may consider utilizing therapy as a wonderful way to practice self-care through self-exploration in a safe and non-judgmental space. ​ My office is conveniently located in the heart of the triad serving the communities of Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, Brown Summit, and Oak Ridge. I would be happy to talk with you over the phone for a free consultation to determine if we would be a good fit for one another.
I specialize in overthinking, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Clients who come to me often struggle with feeling “enough.". They often feel an imbalance in their lives and are quick to sacrifice self-care for others or in the face of stress. They feel their emotions strongly and sometimes feel controlled by them, leaving them often emotionally and physically drained. My clients are ready to create change in their lives and feel more peace of mind.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.