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 2,796 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.
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.
Life can leave us carrying experiences that feel too heavy to hold alone. Whether you’re facing the impact of trauma, struggling in relationships, navigating grief and loss, managing anger, or working through challenges related to substance use, therapy can offer a space to pause, reflect, and begin again. The healing is not a "one-size-fits-all" process; my goal is to utilize an evidence-based intervention that you feel really "clicks" with how you view life and approach problem-solving. Common interventions I utilize include: EMDR, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-focused Brief Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.
Taking the first step to find a therapist or meet a new therapist is tricky! I am so glad that you are here! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have been working in Community Mental Health for the past 3 years. My main focus that I work with in my practice over the past few years have mainly been PTSD and Postpartum.
I’m Dr. Pearson, and I draw on over 30 years of counseling experience helping individuals, couples, marriages, families, teens, children, and organizations work through life’s challenges. I support clients dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, anger, relationship issues, family conflict, addiction and alcohol concerns, military-related stress, and major life transitions. My background includes working with people across many stages of life, including active-duty military members, veterans, DoD staff, military families, couples preparing for marriage, families under stress, and individuals seeking healthier ways to live at home, at work, and in their relationships. I believe therapy should offer hope, practical support, and a clear path toward healthy change.
I love working with people and helping them "grow" through the things of life that they "go" through. A quote that I love to share with clients and live by personally is to remember not to focus on your purpose but to live your life purposely. As a military social worker my background is specific to first responders, but most importantly individuals that are learning their new "normal" after traumatic life events that have unexpectedly shaped them.
I have worked in substance abuse treatment for more than twenty years. I have provided clinical treatment in a multitude environments. This includes medication-assisted treatment, medication-assisted detoxification, inpatient and residential, psychiatric hospitals, correctional institutions, and tele-health.
About our therapists serving Gastonia, NC



- 97%Anxiety
- 92%Depression
- 87%Stress management
- 77%Relationship issues
- 77%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 93%Cigna
- 85%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 63%Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- 48%Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey

- 99%English
- 4%Spanish

- 87%Online only
- 13%In-person or online

- 84%Woman
- 15%Man

- 43%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 40%Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- 5%Nurse Practitioner
- 4%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 3%Substance Use Disorder

- 99%Individual therapy
- 30%Family therapy
- 19%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 Mental Health Therapist in Gastonia, NC
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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