Therapists for college students near Durham, NC
Heather Hughes earned her Master's in Social Work with a Certificate in Aging Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. She works with individuals age 18+ using a variety of therapeutic modalities that are tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Heather shows a sense of compassion and warmth, directness, and a sense of humor as she supports clients to overcome personal barriers, develop a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life, and strive to attain personal goals. She works with individuals who have experienced anxiety, depression, psychosis, low self-esteem, attention difficulties, trauma, life transitions, work/school challenges, and relationship issues. She has worked in both residential and outpatient settings. Heather enjoys being physically active and loves a good cup of coffee! and
Are you struggling to meet impossible standards? Do you constantly feel like a failure? Do you feel alone and like you just can’t find a place to belong? Do you find yourself thinking that’s it’s all just too much and you’re overwhelmed? Bayleigh Griffith at Dwell Ministry can help you see yourself, others, and the world around you through a lens of hope and strength. The college experience is different for everyone - but whether you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, pressured, heavy, confused, or a combination of all of these, she can help you sort through and make sense of it. Her goal is to help you find healing, joy, and success through it all. It’s possible for you - no doubt - and there’s no shame in asking for help.
College can be one of the most exciting and overwhelming seasons of your life. You may be adjusting to being away from home, navigating new relationships, questioning your major, managing academic pressure, or quietly carrying anxiety, depression, or past trauma that hasn’t had space to heal. On the outside, it can look like everyone else is handling it just fine — but inside, you might feel stuck, exhausted, unmotivated, or unsure of who you’re becoming. If you’re in that space, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to work through it by yourself. I work with college students who are in the middle of real life transitions — identity shifts, relationship changes, academic stress, family expectations, grief, trauma, and the quiet weight of self-doubt. Depression during college often doesn’t look like “sad all the time.” It can show up as procrastination, isolation, low motivation, difficulty focusing, or feeling disconnected from the person you used to be. Trauma can show up in relationships, in trust, in sleep, or in how hard you are on yourself. Together, we slow things down. We make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. We identify patterns that are keeping you stuck and build practical tools that help you feel more steady, confident, and grounded. My approach is collaborative and straightforward. I don’t believe in sitting back silently while you struggle to find words. We talk. We process. We challenge unhelpful thoughts. We work through emotional blocks. I integrate approaches such as CBT, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based strategies to help you build resilience while honoring your story. My goal is not just symptom relief — it’s helping you understand yourself better so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. College is a time of growth — but growth can feel uncomfortable. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, stuck, or unsure about your direction, therapy can be a space to reset and regain momentum. You deserve support as you figure out who you are and who you want to become. If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to Request an Initial Appointment and begin therapy. You don’t have to wait until things get worse. Let’s work together to help you regain balance, rebuild confidence, and move through this season with strength.
I have over 20 years experience working with folks on various adjustment and mental health concerns. I especially enjoy working with college-aged people. I do not have all the answers, but together we will work to meet your goals.
Life can feel like a constant push toward the next achievement, leaving you stuck in self-doubt, uncertainty, or the pressure to have it all figured out. Maybe you're questioning your path, struggling with relationships, or trying to break free from old patterns that no longer serve you. If your inner critic won’t quiet down or you feel overwhelmed by anxiety and stress, you don’t have to navigate it alone. The experiences we carry from childhood shape how we navigate relationships, cope with challenges, and see ourselves. Past wounds can create patterns that feel hard to break, but change is possible. If you feel stuck in cycles of self-doubt, struggling to set boundaries, or weighed down by family expectations, therapy can support you in discovering your true self and creating healthier patterns. I offer a space to explore these challenges, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop a stronger connection to yourself. I specialize in a psychodynamic approach with an attachment lens, helping you unpack how past experiences influence your present. Using a trauma-informed and holistic framework, I address the whole person—mind, body, and emotions. I also can incorporate brainspotting, a nontraditional but powerful tool that helps process trauma and emotional distress beyond talk therapy. Additionally, I support those adjusting to life with cancer or chronic illness, helping you navigate the emotional weight of a diagnosis, changes in identity, and the uncertainty that comes with it. My style is warm, approachable, and real. Therapy should be a place where you feel safe to be yourself—whether you’re laughing, crying, or just figuring things out. Let’s work together to build confidence, clarity, and a life that feels more like yours.
I am a military spouse, former educator, and mother who enjoys working with adolescents and students of all ages. It is my goal to ensure that individuals I have the opportunity to work with understand they have someone who is willing to listen and offer unbiased feedback. I understand that being a college student can be challenging at time, but knowing you have someone who understands and is willing to help guide you through any tough times you may have makes all the difference.
During any stage of life we are faced with challenges of many kinds. And these trials can keep anyone in the dark, not realizing that hope can be found. If you're someone who is trying to figure out who you are in the world, trying to find their way, or who just needs a solid connection with a partner; if you recognize a problem and a longing for change or struggling with overwhelming thoughts and emotions that keep you pushed away, leaving you in the dark, then you’re not alone and I’m here to help. I believe creating a strong connection is a major step towards healing. My approach to creating a therapeutic bond is person-centered and strength-based. As a family systems therapist, I long to understand how our present growth challenges are shaped by our history of connections. With that new awareness, we can pave the way for positive changes in healing. The key to any therapeutic process is a successful connection within the therapist/client relationship. It is important for the journey to have a therapist who can provide a safe space for your story to be heard and the skills to harness inner strength. If you feel like you’re struggling recently, loosing power or control over your life in ways you could not possibly imagine or realize, then we encourage you to reach out here at Alta Terra, where we can provide an honest safe space for you to be accepted, to find empowerment, encouragement, and healing as you journey to your higher ground (your greatest potential), for a higher ground is within your reach, no matter what season of life you’re in. It would be a joy to speak with you and to explore this journey together if I may be the right fit.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
People usually don’t come to therapy because everything is going great — something’s off, something hurts, or something just isn’t working. Maybe you're overwhelmed, stuck in anxiety spirals, in a relationship that feels like a full-time job, or replaying the same patterns on a loop and wondering why life feels like a bad rerun. Whether it’s stress, communication breakdowns, or feeling like you’ve become everyone’s emotional support human, we’ll sort through the mess together. The goal is to help you move forward with more clarity, confidence, and a little less chaos in your day-to-day. I also specialize in helping those impacted by narcissistic behavior, whether you're spotting some of those traits in yourself, or you're in a relationship that feels confusing, one-sided, or emotionally draining. These patterns can be difficult to untangle, but together we can help make sense of it. My style blends empathy, curiosity, real talk, and humor—because sometimes if you don’t laugh, you cry. I’m here to support you and gently challenge old habits. Growth is messy, awkward, and sometimes uncomfortable, but it’s also where the good stuff lives. If you're ready to dive in- not just to feel better, but to do better- I’m here for it.
A Place to Start has been in practice since 2017. We provide a menu of services for mental health, addiction, adjustment disorders, grief, relationship issues, and more. The staff includes one full time and one part time PMHNP who prescribe medication. We have a full time LISW CP-S, ADC, one LPC, and 2 LMSWs. Therapists treat most mental disorders.
I am an LCMHC (#17753), as well as a National Board Certified Counselor (1674955). I approach counseling with the foundational belief that every individual has inherent value and worth. Because of that, I believe a fulfilled life is worth pursuing. I desire to create an environment of trust for clients through genuineness and empathy. This foundation provides a place to heal and grow through the challenges of life, and fosters the development of helpful awareness and tools to increase life functioning and satisfaction.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
With experience working with children, adults, and couples, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space—whether in the office or outdoors—where you can explore emotions, deepen self-awareness, and create lasting personal growth. My person-centered approach keeps your voice and your goals at the core of our work. Whether you're navigating anxiety, healing from trauma, improving relationships, or searching for direction, I’m here to support and guide you. Together, we’ll collaborate to create meaningful change at a pace and style that feels right for you.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Welcome! We help people help themselves to live a more full and whole life, void of medicating and suffering in isolation. We meet our clients where they are and invite them to learn and create what recovery means to them. We do this be holding up a mirror and walking with our clients rather than telling them what they should do. We also help clients connect. Isolation is such a painful symptom of anxiety, depression and medicating. 'Together we can do what we could never do alone' is what we practice at the Relationship Enrichment Center. Reach out, and let us support you.
My approach to therapy centers around the belief that every individual has inherent dignity, and is worthy to be seen, heard, and cared for. Anyone is welcome into my office. Every life experience is unique, and often these experiences can carry specific hurts, pains and sorrows. When life feels overwhelmingly challenging and burdensome, counseling can be a wonderful mechanism to assist in times of need. I believe that peace and joy are possible, and that no story is hopeless, because no story is done being written. As a client, I want you to feel safe and most importantly, listened to. As you get the chance to share your story with me, my goal is to build trust with you and help establish what you'd like to work on. According to your specific wants and needs, we will collaborate together and use a variety of therapeutic approaches to get you to a better place. Whatever season you're in, you don't have to walk it alone. Please don't hesitate to reach out to find what you need during this time.
Everyone is responsible for protecting and nurturing their mental health. Navigating through difficult life experiences can manifest stress, unhappiness, anxiety, anger, etc. Sometimes, we develop harmful ways to cope with these life experiences such as isolating ourselves, lashing out at others, abusing substances, among other things. It can be difficult to take the first step and reach out for therapy/counseling. However, taking that first step means that you're prepared to figure out how you can improve your circumstance and move forward. It's my mission to offer you support through your process of achieving mental wellness!
You have taken a big step by arriving at this page. Life can be difficult, and we can all use help in navigating its challenges. I support people with managing stress, increasing self-confidence, and strengthening relationships. I empower people to discover their strengths and form strong foundations for therapeutic work. I find that many people have what they need success within them. I can help clients unlock the door to those strengths. I focus on client-centered approaches that also use creative and expressive arts techniques.