Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Durham, NC

Please feel free to call me Sam. I'm originally from North Carolina and received my bachelor's degree in social work at Appalachian State. In 2022, I moved to Southwest Virginia and received my master's degree in social work from Radford University. Overall, I have 13 years of experience as a Social Worker in different capacities, including grief and loss, chronic illness, and burnout. My passion is working with adults and older adults navigating life changes.

I believe therapy should be a place where you don’t have to have it all together. Many of my clients are high-achieving professionals who are used to being the “strong one” for everyone else, but privately struggle with relationships, boundaries, confidence, or life transitions. I strive to create a warm, collaborative space where you can show up authentically, gain insight into patterns that no longer serve you, and build healthier relationships with yourself and others. I especially enjoy working with Black women and LGBTQ+ adults and strive to create an affirming, culturally responsive space where clients can show up fully as themselves.

I am a North Carolina native and graduated from Winthrop University with my Master's degree in 2015. I enjoy working with a range of clients who are motivated and ready to make changes in order to improve their quality of life. I will work with you to identify and achieve your goals. I place great emphasis on the therapeutic relationship so you feel comfortable during every session, no matter how uncomfortable to topic may be.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with several years of experience and I specialize in treating young adults, adults, and seniors. My clinical background has afforded me the fulfilling opportunity to support the mental wellness of individuals from all backgrounds. I believe in evidence-based treatment- I specialize in interventional modalities, and I now conduct Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression in our Charlotte office.

I have been practicing as a therapist for 8 years and believe that therapy should be both meaningful and practical providing a space to better understand yourself while developing tools that can make a difference in your everyday life. My experience includes working with individuals navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and the challenges that often come with demanding roles and responsibilities. I have also worked closely with first responders and provide clinical supervision and support to other therapists.

My approach is integrative and tailored to the individual rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model. Depending on your needs, I may incorporate EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-informed care.

Stress management is a particular area of interest in my practice. I enjoy creating guided meditation and mindfulness experiences tailored to what a client is experiencing. I also welcome opportunities to incorporate your interests, strengths, and the things that genuinely matter to you into our work together.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in working with individuals seeking healing, support, and personal growth. My therapeutic style is empathetic, empowering, and solution-focused. I provide a safe and collaborative space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported as you work through life’s challenges. I help individuals navigate life’s challenges with empathy, respect, and practical strategies for growth. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress, I offer a safe, supportive space to build resilience and find clarity.

I approach sessions as an experienced professional and a real person. My goal is to create a space where you can show up as your full, uncensored self—say the hard things, the messy things, even the things you’re not sure how to put into words—and still feel accepted, heard, and supported. Many people reach out to me feeling overwhelmed by everyday stress, big world events, or the sense that things keep changing without much warning. It can feel like there’s no escape from stress, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Therapy can be a place to slow down, breathe, share humor, & talk things through with someone who’s really listening. My career spans 20+ years in mental health, addiction treatment, and disability services.