Find a therapist in Gastonia, NC — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Gastonia, NC accepting new patients
Mental health care in Gastonia is accessible through Headway's 2,970 licensed providers serving communities like Crowders Mountain, Ozark, and central Gastonia. Sessions are available virtually or in-person, with many patients paying as low as $0 per session through insurance coverage.
I’m Angie, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I work primarily with adult women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, people-pleasing, perinatal concerns, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to you, drawing from EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, and body-based awareness. Together, we’ll make sense of what feels heavy, strengthen your connection with yourself, and help you move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.
You may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, grief, a major life transition, relationship challenges, or concerns about alcohol or substance use. I offer a space where you can be yourself, feel genuinely heard, and know that what matters to you matters here.
Your voice matters. Your feelings matter. You are important and you matter.
After more than a decade of work with clients, I believe we have an innate ability to adapt and heal when given the right space to do so. I enjoy creating an empowering space where clients access their internal strengths and confidently create the change they desire.
With over 27 years of clinical experience, I invite you to a compassionate, non-judgmental, and safe place place for healing and growth. Here you will be able to process current emotions, make sense of your past, and understand how your struggles adversely affected you. Together we'll address mood disorders and uncover negative perceptions that have impacted you and your relationships.
I became a therapist because I believe in building healthier people, families, and communities, and I carry that mission into every session. I bring warmth, cultural humility, and deep clinical experience to every session. I have worked with military families, children, adolescents, and adults across a wide range of settings. Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, or a major life change, I offer a space where you are genuinely seen and heard. I would love to be part of your journey.
I'm Lucy Maina, a Board Certified, Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Therapeutic Alliance Behavioral Health. I provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care and psychotherapy for people of all ages — children, adolescents, and adults — in a safe, nonjudgmental space where your experience is always validated.
I specialize in treating anxiety, ADHD, depression, chronic fatigue, irritability, and emotional numbness, including the unique stress that comes with caregiving. I also have experience supporting neurodiverse individuals and those living with autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia, offering sensory-considerate evaluations, communication accommodations, and relapse prevention planning tailored to your needs.
I am Theresa Abbah, a board-certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Smithfield, North Carolina, with over 27 years of experience in nursing and mental health care. My professional journey has been deeply rooted in psychiatry, where I have developed a broad and comprehensive clinical skill set focused on delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
I spent more than 15 years working as a psychiatric nurse in an inpatient state mental health facility, which provided a strong foundation in managing complex mental health conditions. I am proud to have been one of the pioneers involved in establishing Youth Behavioral Health services, helping guide its successful accreditation and commitment to maintaining high standards of care.
As a Nurse Practitioner, I have advanced my practice working in both youth and adult inpatient behavioral health settings, including roles with UNC Youth Behavioral Health Hospital in Butner and UNC Johnston Health. I specialize in diagnosing and managing a wide range of mental health disorders, conducting crisis assessments, and providing timely referrals for individuals of all ages experiencing psychiatric, substance use, neurocognitive, or developmental challenges.
In 2018, I independently developed an alternative psychotherapy-based psychosocial treatment program to support patients in crisis at UNC Wakebrook, reflecting my commitment to innovation in mental health care.
I bring a positive attitude, creativity, and a high level of dedication to my work, consistently striving to deliver evidence-based care to patients and their families. My clinical strengths include psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, crisis stabilization, maintenance treatment and leadership, all of which guide my mission to improve mental health outcomes and support individuals on their path to recovery.
I’m Sharon Elizabeth Locklear, LCSW, ACSW, and I bring more than 30 years of experience as a mental health practitioner. My career has included work in private practice, hospitals, the U.S. Army, and the VA, supporting individuals through grief, trauma, caregiving, chronic health concerns, relationship difficulties, major life transitions, and complex mental health challenges.
I understand how easy it can be to lose yourself while caring for others, managing responsibilities, or simply trying to survive difficult circumstances. I believe people have the capacity to heal, grow, and create lives that reflect who they truly are. My role is not to tell you who to become, but to help you recognize your strengths, understand what may be keeping you stuck, and move toward the life you want to create.
I'm a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with years of experience walking alongside individuals and families through some of life's most tender and difficult chapters — aging, illness, caregiving, grief, and major life transitions. I've worked across hospital, hospice, palliative care, dementia care, and community settings, and that breadth has taught me that every person's story is deeply unique.
I believe therapy works best when there is a strong connection between therapist and client. My style is warm, genuine, and direct. I'll offer compassion and support, but I'll also help you recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
As a trauma-informed therapist and EMDR specialist, I create a space where you can be yourself without judgment. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable with me quickly because I show up as a real person—not just a therapist.
I believe healing happens through both insight and action. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and empowered to create meaningful change in your life.
My qualifications and competence in the area of Counseling are founded on my education, work experience, and additional training in areas relating to the field of counseling. I have over five (5) years’ experience providing services to a wide range of populations including adolescents, adults and couples in school, outpatient, nonprofit, and virtual settings. My specialties include providing counseling services to adults, adolescents, and families surrounding depression, anxiety, trauma, life changes, and emotional regulation.
About our therapists serving Gastonia, NC



- 97%Anxiety
- 93%Depression
- 88%Stress management
- 78%Relationship issues
- 77%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 93%Cigna
- 86%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 64%Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- 48%Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey

- 99%English
- 4%Spanish
- 1%French

- 88%Online only
- 12%In-person or online

- 83%Woman
- 16%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 42%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 40%Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- 5%Nurse Practitioner
- 5%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 3%Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 31%Family therapy
- 20%Couples therapy
- 12%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Gastonia
Searching for therapists in Gastonia starts with knowing what kind of support you want. Therapists can help with concerns like anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and major life changes. As you compare options, look for a therapist whose listed specialties, therapy style, and experience match what you want to address. A profile that mentions approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, or family therapy can help you understand how that therapist may work with you.
In a smaller city like Gastonia, local appointment options may vary by neighborhood, schedule, and specialty. Virtual therapy can expand your options while still letting you work with a therapist licensed in North Carolina. Some people prefer an office visit near central Gastonia, Crowders Mountain, or nearby communities, while others choose virtual sessions that fit around work, school, or caregiving. Before booking, review each therapist’s bio for availability, session format, communication style, and whether they offer a free phone consultation.
Therapy in Gastonia can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before your first appointment. Headway helps you find therapists who accept a wide range of insurance plans, verify your benefits, and show an estimated cost before you book. You can compare therapists, read profiles, and book directly when you’re ready.
If anyone in your family is experiencing or worried about abuse, threats, or coercion, joint family or couples therapy usually isn't the right starting point — individual support is safer. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) and National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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