Therapists for college students near Duke University

By choosing to be here, you’ve taken an important step in your therapeutic journey. My goal is to provide a supportive space where you can feel heard. With two years of experience as a middle school counselor before transitioning to private practice, I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18-25). I help clients address a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral issues. My approach centers on building healthy boundaries and developing coping skills to foster positive relationships with yourself and others. I am excited for you to start this journey towards a better life. Let's see if we're a good fit!

Melissa Sisco, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with 18 years of clinical experience. She is best known for her expertise in trauma recovery, aggression management, healthy sexuality, and systems of identity. She has a special interest in providing services for first responders and people with exposure to systems of aggression (sexual oppression, domestic violence, war, civil unrest) as well as communities of control (gangs, cults, unhealthy families). Clinically, Dr. Sisco operates primarily from a cognitive behavioral framework; however, she may shift strategies if an alternate modality is identified by clinical trials as the more effective treatment corresponding to a given diagnosis. Primary skillsets include: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness-based Interventions, Guided Self-Hypnosis Training, Systematic Desensitization Therapy, Harm Reduction, and Brief Strategic Family Systems Therapy (BSFT), Insight-Oriented Therapy, and Reality Therapy. She has also engaged in mentorship/coaching, positive psychology, play therapy, and animal assisted therapeutic services. When working with Dr. Sisco, you will always be greeted with a sincere warmth and concern for your well-being. She “shoots from the hip” in a nonjudgmental way to help embrace personal truths and build the glory after the challenge. You will also notice that she can switch gears to hear you in the moment when a quiet presence is needed and help guide you towards answers when the time is right to address the problems. She will honor and respect your time schedule and your definition of clinical goals. She will accept you as you are and help you see the wonder in yourself while learning to navigate the struggles that we all face. Dr. Sisco’s experience and training has led her to four fundamental beliefs about all individuals: (1) We all have basic human drives, private desires, insecurities, ascribed identity, and an ongoing personal narrative that drive our interaction with the world. (2) Seemingly unimportant decisions lead to habits which cascade into life-changing results. (3) We all experience jilting traumas that alter us in some fashion. (4) We can all be well, whole people who love, are loved, and add value to the world. Specialties Dr. Sisco provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as clinical supervision. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of clinical populations, such as: first responders, healthcare workers, those in forensic settings, trauma survivors, sexual and violent offenders, those in substance abuse recovery, individuals experiencing severe mental illness, adults and children on the Autism Spectrum, adults and children diagnosed with Intellectual Developmental Disorders (IDD), parents of troubled children and teens, refugees, military Veterans, individuals with gang involvement, survivors of war crimes, and marginalized communities. Dr. Sisco’s skillset includes: assessment, report writing, case management, therapeutic sessions, administration, supervision, program development and evaluation, empirical standardization and manual development and implementation, crisis response, and community repair. She specializes in treating Mood Disorders (Depressive Disorders, Bipolar Disorder), Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI), trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorder and Specific Phobias, anger and aggression, relationship problems, issues related to sexuality, gender transition and identity, addictions, stress and adjustment, personality disorders, weight loss, and smoking cessation, evaluation for bariatric surgery, and transplant preparation. Education and Training Dr. Sisco graduated in 2011 with a joint PhD in Clinical Psychology and Psychology, Policy, and Law with a minor specialty in Program Evaluation and Research Methodology from the University of Arizona. During this time, she participated in teaching, grant writing, providing research and statistical support, engaging in case review of civil and criminal cases regarding undue influence, working in clinical settings and supervising others in clinical settings. In addition, she aided in designing and implementing the first restorative justice program in the US, addressing date rapes on campus with Dr. Mary P. Koss of the R.E.S.T.O.R.E. project. She designed modified treatment curriculums for special populations of sex offenders (brain injured and developmentally delayed as well as female sex offenders) that were implemented in the Arizona Department of Corrections in 2013. She was also an integral part of building one of the first therapeutic mentorship programs designed to service foster-care youth with behavioral challenges with Dr. Julie Feldman. She worked most closely with her major advisor, Dr. Judith Becker, best known for her work on the Jeffrey Dahmer and Green River Killer cases. In her spare time, Dr. Sisco delighted in rehabilitating aggressive animals, predominantly horses and dogs, to provide hope for their rehoming. Dr. Sisco was selected for predoctoral internship at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Trauma-Specific Track. During her internship, she specialized in trauma-response care in emergency medical settings, outreach to high-risk, marginalized urban youth and their families during and after violence exposure, and identifying susceptibility to recruitment in terroristic and gang-related organizations due to community trauma. During her off time, she began training as a boxer and fell back into her roots of youth mentorship due to the engagement she experienced while training. She built a mentorship program for youth in crisis, BoutIt Mentorship program, specifically designed and implemented for youth housed in a crisis shelter. Participants in the program learned how to cope effectively with intensive trauma, aggression, and mental health diagnoses. In her work as a clinical consultant, Dr. Sisco provided education to the International Court of Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the psychology of serial sexual assault during wartime. Dr. Sisco served as a professor at Roosevelt University for many years, as well as a forensic adjunct at the Chicago Professional School of Psychology. It was at this point that she incorporated Animal Assisted Therapy into her services; she delighted in seeing her clients and students find peace and release from being in the presence of her therapy dog. In 2017, Dr. Sisco returned to North Carolina, where she worked as a senior psychologist at Broughton State Hospital in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. While there, she worked with people who suffered with severe, debilitating mental illness and aided in a state shift to positive psychology and universal acknowledgements of strengths as opposed to illness. Dr. Sisco has published predominantly regarding systems of intimacy and violence. She has worked with many different populations including: persons struggling with addictions, veterans, inmates, international tribunals of war, psychiatric inpatients, families with marital and/or parenting concerns, sexual and domestic violence aggressors and victims, at risk youth, gangs, homeless, refugees, exonerees from capital cases, youth on the autism spectrum, people with severely and profound developmental delay, people with serious mental illness, people classified as serious violent predators, First Responders, police de-escalation teams, survivors of homicide/suicide of a loved one, and, of course, students and community members struggling with daily stressors. Additional Trainings Dr. Sisco has extensive training in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Multicultural Sensitivity, and Crisis Intervention Training. She is also well-versed in a variety of neuropsychological assessment batteries and engages in report writing for forensic and clinical purposes. Professional Membership American Psychological Association North Carolina Psychological Association National Register of Health Service Psychologists

HI there, I'm Kristen, I've been working in mental health and addictions recovery for over 20 years. I enjoy working with people who are going through a transition, change, need extra support, or are dealing with on-going struggles. Some areas I specialize in include managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, bi-polar, past trauma, parenting struggles, pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders, relationship issues, coping with a loved one's mental health or addiction, and addictions recovery. My work focuses on paying attention to our current thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and patterns, questioning or challenging our unhelpful thinking and behaviors, and shifting focus to what is already working in our lives. Teaching and practicing coping skills, mindfulness, and relaxations skills have been a useful part of my practice. my style is pretty informal and relaxed, and I love working with college students

Providing steadfast hope for individuals and couples.

Heal. Live. Love. You can understand and heal from traumatic experiences. You can learn and develop your skills of coping. You can make positive changes in your life. My practice is primarily guided by a client centered, strength based, holistic approach with use of various treatment modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with somatic experiencing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, and trauma informed care. We can work together to develop your innate resources, learn more healthy coping skills, and develop an understanding and awareness of the beautiful connection of the mind and body, while in a safe and comfortable environment. Contact for more information. Only telehealth sessions offered in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Are you an adult struggling to navigate day-to-day life? Are symptoms getting in the way of you fulfilling obligations, or just enjoying yourself? Are you often bothered by feelings of emotional overwhelm? Is it hard to calm down? I welcome people who are neurodivergent, neurotypical, apart of the LGBT+ community, processing grief, having issues in relationships, and more. I use a combination of therapeutic approaches grounded in mindfulness to help you break out of unhelpful cycles and symptoms. I will partner with you to change stress reactions that are getting in the way of your daily life. I am compassionate, non-judgmental, and direct. I will use evidence-based techniques to support you in building coping skills. You don’t have to keep struggling on your own. I love supporting positive changes! Therapy can be a powerful step toward relief and clarity, even if reaching out feels hard. If you’re ready for support, understanding, and real change, I invite you to contact me. Together, we can begin building a path toward feeling more grounded and in control.

Tara has an energetic laugh that puts clients at ease and enjoys playfully incorporating her love of sarcasm into her work with her clients. She has been known to lovingly call people out on their “bologna” when she hears it and is a great accountability partner. Tara is also incredibly empathetic and provides a warm and safe environment and a quiet listening ear when the situation calls for it. Noticing and reading nonverbal communication and body language is a skill Tara possesses in spades so she often learns a lot even from things that go unsaid. Tara is judgement free and she encourages you to be genuine and authentic. Tara is passionate about working with young adults who are struggling with life transitions or adjustments and those who experience anxiety due to "trying to do it all" and trying to be "everything for everyone". She knows and understands the pressures that our society puts on young adults and aims to help them regain control of the chaos and find some peace. Tara also loves guiding clients towards healing relationships and teaching more effective communication- whether it be with your spouse, a family member, or a co-worker/boss. Through their work together, Tara and her clients work to find tools and skills to improve the areas a client can change and ultimately work towards self-acceptance.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I help people find relief and clarity. Are you in a stressful situation? Do you overthink and analyze everything? Or, maybe you are feeling down and unmotivated. I use research based strategies and interventions to help people who are experiencing things like, work stress and burnout, relationship problems, adjustment issues to life changes, grief and bereavement, low self esteem, anxiety, depression, and spiritual frustration. I offer a relaxed virtual counseling environment where we work collaboratively to create and move toward personalized mental health goals, often using practical interventions to make positive changes. I am LGBTQ friendly. I have a special interest in providing support to young adult women in the midst of life transitions. I currently offer counseling services online for your convenience. I believe that finding 'the right fit' in counseling is important, so I provide a free 15-minute phone consultation. Visit my website to schedule this appointment online, at a time that works best for you. I look forward to connecting.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hey there! I’m a licensed mental health counselor trained in EMDR, and I run a fully virtual therapy practice serving students in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. I specialize in helping college students who are navigating anxiety, depression, mood swings, difficult life transitions, and PTSD. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by coursework, adjusting to dorm life, or coping with past trauma, I offer a safe, judgment-free space where we can work together to build coping skills, regulate emotions, and find more balance. Whether you need support for daily stressors or deeper EMDR-focused trauma work, you don’t have to face these challenges alone—I’m here to help you thrive in college and beyond.

Hello! Thank you for considering my practice for counseling services. This season of life can seem chaotic and confusing. Academic stress, expectations, relational issues, career decisions, and being "ok" through it all can seem overwhelming. Through the counseling process and self-discovery, these overwhelming feelings and issues can actually become building blocks for a healthier and more fulfilling future. Let's examine your opportunities for growth. I look forward to working together and thank you again!

A lot of the students I work with are used to being the “put together” one. The responsible one. The one who pushes through. But behind the scenes, they’re exhausted. Many are dealing with complicated relationships with food, body image, or perfectionism while also navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, or chronic illness. From the outside it might look like they’re managing fine, but internally it can feel like a constant battle with their own mind or body. A lot of my clients are thoughtful and self-aware, but tired of feeling stuck in the same patterns or feeling like they’re constantly fighting themselves. In therapy with me, the goal isn’t to shame or rush you into change. Instead, we slow things down and get curious about what your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are actually trying to communicate. From there, we work on building coping tools, creating more flexibility in patterns that feel rigid or overwhelming, and rebuilding trust with your body. You don’t have to come in with everything figured out. Many of my clients start therapy feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or even skeptical — and that’s completely okay. Therapy is just a space where you can show up honestly and start making sense of things at your own pace.

Helping ADHD brains thrive - Trauma recovery with EMDR - LGBTQ+ affirming. You’ve been doing your best to keep it together, but your brain won’t slow down, the past still hits hard, or you’re tired of trying to explain your identity. If you feel scattered, stuck, or just plain exhausted—you're not alone. I help people like you find clarity, healing, and practical tools to move forward. I blend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused strategies, and EMDR (when it’s a good fit) to help you create real change. We’ll challenge old patterns, take practical steps forward, and when appropriate, use EMDR to gently reprocess painful memories and shift the beliefs that keep you stuck. Therapy with me is collaborative, down-to-earth, and supportive—expect compassion, real talk, and plenty of space for laughter along the way. You don’t have to do this alone! If you’re ready to feel more grounded, focused, or just more you, let’s talk. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we’re a good fit. You can reach out by phone or email—whatever feels easiest. I’m here when you’re ready.

​Dr. Carter is a licensed therapist with over 10 years of experience in Depression, Anxiety, LGBTQ++, Goal planning, Geriatric Mental Health, Couples, Grief counseling, and Trauma using evidenced-based models. Additionally, Dr. Carter is experienced in Program Management & Oversight, Program Development & Expansion, and Performance Improvement Initiatives within North Carolina & Georgia.She is passionate about increasing health equity in the LGBTQ+ community, rural communities, and communities of color, through program development, youth enrichment, and social advocacy. Her goal is to normalize the need for mental health services, by ensuring individuals are able to seek care from therapists and providers who align with their beliefs; and shared experiences.

I work with primarily LGBTQIA+ community. I am very down to earth, non judgmental and integrate humor in my sessions because therapy doesn't always have to be "serious". I feel honored to help people with their therapy journey and make sure everyone feels safe and accepted.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Greetings. After careers in environmental justice & stewardship and wilderness therapy, I find I still work best with clients in outdoor settings. Therefore I see most people outdoors on a private property in Weaverville, NC. I enjoy working with college age people as they explore themselves through the vehicles of their passions and relationships. Please feel free to explore my website for more information about me, and you can reach out to contact me at stas@forestlightcounseling.com to explore if we might be a good working fit.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.