Southern Wake Counseling Center

Through therapy, many people find a renewed sense of well-being and feel prepared to experience life-changing situations. Both individual and couples counseling provide an opportunity to explore life’s struggles and overcome obstacles to reach your goals.

I am an outpatient therapist and founder of Southern Wake Counseling Center. I am a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a National Certified Counselor and a certified Parent Coordinator. I received my master’s degree in Counseling and my bachelor’s degree in Communications from Campbell University. I am Certified to provide Parenting Coordination for high conflict separation and divorce parents. I have completed Level 3 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and utilize many of Gottman’s research-based approaches to relationship counseling. I have worked with the military since 2008 and have additional training and experience with the special needs of our military community. I use a multi-modal approach to counseling primarily using cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches; however, I do use other theoretical approaches as well. I try to understand my clients in terms of their current symptoms and stressors and aim to understand childhood experiences and how these experiences shape their current sense of self. I am available to see adolescents, individuals, couples and families.

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I graduated and received my BS in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Central University in 1999 and went on to receive my Master of Arts in Counselor Education (Agency Counseling) from North Carolina Central University in 2003. I have over 18 years of experience in helping adults, adolescents, and children of diverse backgrounds improve their mental health. I believe strongly that meeting individuals where they are and taking the time to develop rapport are the corner stones in building a healthy therapeutic relationship.My approach is eclectic and evidenced based. I love Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; however, I utilize a variety of approaches to meet client’s individual needs. I have experience in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm and/or suicidal behavior, relationship issues, psychotic disorders, self-esteem issues, personality disorders, behavioral concerns, and struggles coping with everyday life. I prioritize assisting clients in developing insight and a better understanding of their current mental health. One of my favorite sayings is “Everything Matters”.

As a couples counselor, I understand that relationships are challenging in even the best conditions. When the stress of balancing work, family, friends and taking care of yourself start to weigh on you, relationships can suffer and even fall apart. There is no secret formula or instruction manual for how to have a happy relationship, but I am a firm believer that with hard work, dedication and the right guidance, you and your partner can be happier than ever before. That’s where I come in: combining my clinical experience working with couples, my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy to help people reconnect and build a happy life together. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to counseling. Instead, I would prefer to partner with you to learn what your specific needs are and collaborate with you to come up with a counseling plan that works best for you. I can help identify the behavior and interaction patterns that contribute to your relationship problems and help you develop new behaviors conducive to your goals. Along the way, expect nothing less than understanding, patience, enthusiasm, safety and empathy from me. If you’re ready to be brave and take that important first step toward personal growth and a happier relationship give us a call. I am available for both in-person and virtual sessions during evenings and weekends. My AAMFT Approved Supervisor is Tony Delmedico, LMFT

The thought of starting therapy can be very overwhelming and scary. It takes a lot of strength, wisdom and maturity to start sessions. I feel every individual is a unique and a complex being, therefore, the approaches I take with your concerns are determined by the information you provide regarding any concerns you have of your emotional, mental, physical, social, spiritual, economic, creative, intellectual, environmental and career characteristics. As a team, we will work in collaboration as you identify concerns that you want to work on in session and as we explore options that are available to you to improve those concerns. Then, I support you in the choices that you make about your concerns and present psychoeducation, skills and resources to help you achieve your goals. It is important that we be open and honest with each other in order for appropriate counseling goals to be established. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client Centered, Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Counseling approaches are the basic theoretical foundation of sessions. Depending on your individual needs, I will use various methods of therapy. I will challenge you in a caring and empathetic manner to look at yourself and seek alternative options and strategies for handling life. I believe a trusting working relationship between a client and a counselor is important, and I strive to achieve that collaboration. I am comfortable working with individuals from diverse cultures and lifestyles; I feel being accepting, objective, respectful and genuine are characteristics essential in working with clients. Overall, counseling is a process in which you the individual gain knowledge and tools that will facilitate continued growth and development after therapy has ended.

I see myself as a ‘relationship’ therapist – helping the people I work with to form loving, satisfying, rewarding relationships with self and others. I believe that the individual – you, is the expert and ultimately knows what is best for you. I also believe that you have all the abilities, skills and resources to fulfill your potential and lead a fulfilling life. I see myself as a kind of coach, helping you to unfold your natural potential and become the person you were intended to be. Integrity, unconditional acceptance, compassion and respect for your uniqueness are vital. To help you, I like to apply whatever makes sense to both of us so that you can learn, heal and grow – to expand your present response repertoire so that you can get what you need. I have had extensive training in the various modalities of hypnotherapy and like to employ its principles when appropriate and when they make sense to you. I also like to work with dreams – to help you to get in touch with healing energies.

I am a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, with a specialized certification in Accelerated Resolution, and a certified Meditation Transformation Teacher. I received my master’s degree in Counseling from Campbell University and Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of North Carolina in Wilmington. I consider my approach eclectic and tailor treatment to the individual needs using aspects of varying modalities, such as: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Somatic Based Therapy, and Person Centered therapy. I have a unique certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. ART is an evidence-based psychotherapy that allows clients to experience rapid recovery by reprogramming how the brain stores traumatic memories using rapid eye movements. ART can be used for to resolve all types of psychological, emotional, behavioral, traumatic, and spiritual issues. It can help with decision making, learning to cope, and overall is the precursor to improving quality of life. I consider my area of expertise to be trauma focused, however; I have 15 years of experience in working with relationship issues, intimacy issues, men and women’s issues, shame based thinking, boundary issues, sexual topics, anxiety, panic attacks, and mood disorders. I am available to work with teens, adults, couples, and families.

I am an intern currently working toward earning my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. When working with clients to achieve their therapeutic objectives, I apply a holistic and integrated approach to counseling, all the while utilizing evidence-based therapy interventions. I believe that each person is unique and has their own story to tell; therefore, counseling should be a collaborative process that is tailored to meet the specific and individual needs of the client. I prefer to use a multi-modal approach that is person-centered, which includes but is not limited to cognitive behavior therapy and dialectal behavioral therapy. My primary goal is to create a safe environment that fosters hope and empowers a client to take steps toward personal growth. Christian counseling and spiritual integrations are available upon the request of the client.

I recently completed my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and my license is pending approval by the N.C. Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. I view counseling as a collaborative relationship in which the client and counselor work together toward a positive path of growth and well-being. My counseling approach is eclectic but is overall person-centered and strengths-based. I may incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, or other theoretical modalities into therapy sessions. My primary goal is to empower the client to take intentionally guided steps toward healthy change and to identify his or her unique strengths that may be used in this process. I am a certified facilitator of both the SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) and Prepare/Enrich pre-marital and marital assessments. I am available to provide Christian and spiritually integrated therapy upon the client’s request.

At Southern Wake Counseling Center, we know how difficult life can be. Our team of couples’ counselors and therapists understands your struggles. We believe that your mental health is a gateway to a stronger, happier life, and we strive to get you there through therapy. Through regular counseling sessions, we’ll explore your struggles and develop a plan that helps you overcome life’s obstacles. Our services include individual counseling, couples’ counseling, and more. Contact us for counseling in Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding areas.