Find a therapist in Hickory, NC — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Hickory, NC accepting new patients
Mental health support is accessible throughout Hickory in areas like Catawba, Longview, and Central. Headway offers 2,983 providers trained in evidence-based approaches, with flexible scheduling and insurance coordination. Many clients find providers with open slots and begin sessions quickly.
Hello! My name is Ashya Kennedy. I have been a licensed counselor since 2019. I specialize in trauma and PTSD, LGBTQ+ issues, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. I work primarily with older adolescents and adults in their 20s and 30s. My practice is called Inner Guidance Counseling because I believe that everything you have and need is within you and it's my job to hold space for you to connect with and follow your inner guidance.
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.
If you're ready to make change in your life, you've come to the right place! If you want to do therapy via Telehealth from the comfort of your home, we will be a great fit (just get ready for me to ask to meet your pets over the computer!) If you want to meet OUTDOORS for therapy, I'm your girl. My favorite therapy sessions are done in nature in the Boone, NC and surrounding areas - we can walk, hike, kayak, or even ski/snowboard during your therapy session! I believe the best therapy happens while moving your body in nature. I specialize in relationships, body-centered therapy, trauma-healing, women's issues, and goal-achievement.
I am a queer, cisgender female in my mid-30s (she/her pronouns.) I am diagnosed with depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and ADHD. I understand addiction and mental health first-hand. Though I am a therapist, I see us as equals and partners. I have 5 years experience working in Community Mental Health with diagnoses from Depression to Schizophrenia.
I'm currently accepting clients across NC. Let's partner to make your life THRIVE! I will provide the help you need or link you to someone who can. Your first session with me will be free. We'll get to know one another through a relaxed conversation and see if we will make a good fit together. BCBS coming late Spring of 2022! Cigna, Aetna, Optum coming Dec!
About our therapists serving Hickory, 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 Hickory
Searching for therapists in Hickory starts with finding someone whose training matches what you want support with. Therapists and counselors in Hickory, NC may work with concerns like anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and life transitions. As you compare options, look for specialties and approaches that fit your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or couples therapy. Provider bios can help you understand each therapist’s style, focus areas, and what sessions may be like.
In a smaller city like Hickory, local appointment options may be more limited than in larger North Carolina markets. Virtual therapy can expand your search while still keeping care with a therapist licensed in North Carolina. You may also want to consider appointment availability, scheduling flexibility, whether a therapist is accepting new patients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading profiles before booking can help you compare practical fit, including communication style, session structure, and experience with concerns that matter to you.
Therapy in Hickory can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and make mental health care more affordable. Headway helps you find therapists who accept a wide range of insurance plans, estimate your out-of-pocket cost before booking, and schedule directly when you’re ready. You can browse therapists in Hickory, review bios, and choose someone who matches your needs, accepts your plan, and is accepting new patients.
If you're experiencing or worried about violence, threats, or coercion in your relationship, couples therapy isn't usually the right starting point — individual support is safer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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