Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Sanford, NC covered by Aetna

I bring over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in education and counseling settings, and I am passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges in a supportive, practical way. I work with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, self-esteem struggles, stress, burnout, family conflict, attachment wounds, emotional overwhelm, and people-pleasing patterns.

My goal is to create a space where clients feel comfortable being honest, understood, and supported as they work toward meaningful change. I especially enjoy helping clients strengthen boundaries, build emotional resilience, break unhealthy cycles, and move toward lives that feel more balanced and authentic.

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 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.

My passion is to serve the community. Everything we do starts with the mind; therefore we have to keep our mental health at the forefront in order to prosper.

I’m a Raleigh-based licensed clinical mental health therapist offering services across North Carolina. I work with adolescents and young adults and specialize in anxiety management, emotional resilience, and relationship building.

Martha Ochako is a Board-Certified PMHNP who is competent in assessing patients, diagnosing disorders, and prescribing appropriate treatments. She does not just cover a symptom with a drug before investigating and addressing its root causes.

She graduated from Metro State University, in MN with an E L M Sc. in nursing. She completed a Post Masters Certification of PHMNP from R M University of Health Professions, Utah. She holds a doctorate (DHSC) from Nova SE University, Florida.

With 20 years of clinical experience, I specialize in exposure to trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, and fertility issues. I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill (BA Psychology), and from Harvard University with my Master's of Education (EdM) in Risk and Prevention, and Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Counseling. I provide evidence-based treatments to adults, teens, and children (ages 6+) from various backgrounds, and provide therapy in English and Spanish. I work collaboratively with each client to set and achieve your goals. I'm a parent and appreciate the intense love and efforts along that journey. I love dogs, travel, sports, martial arts, and trying new foods.

I am an EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist. I specialize in complex trauma, especially within relationships and attachment. This means that most of my clients struggle with anxiety, shame, depression, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, codependency, disordered eating, attachments and communication. My niche is working with "cycle breakers" who are navigating how to get unstuck from learned patterns that are no longer serving them. They are often adult children of emotionally immature parents. Dysfunctional patterns often begin long before adulthood and can be rooted in painful family dynamics and/or generational trauma.

Hello, I am a double graduate of NCA & T with a Bachelor of Social Work & Master in Counseling as first-generation college student. I have 20+ years’ experience in child welfare and family well-being. In which, I have a passion for helping others with emphasis on self-esteem, positive thinking, domestic violence, family dynamics & the impact of trauma & adverse childhood effects. I am a boy mom (human & fur baby) & for that reason, I love sports & enjoy cultivating males. & women empowerment!

I work with teens and adults who are ready to better understand themselves, navigate life's challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, burnout, parenting and family challenges, relationship concerns, grief, or major life transitions. Others may not have the words to describe what they're feeling. They simply know something needs to change and are looking for support, practical tools, and a fresh perspective.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing virtual therapy to teens and adults across North Carolina. I earned my bachelor's degree in social work from North Carolina Central University and my master's degree in social work from East Carolina University. For nearly a decade, I've had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a variety of mental health settings, helping them navigate emotional, behavioral, and life challenges.

Most importantly, I want you to know that you don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. If you're willing to show up, we'll work together to help you better understand yourself, build on your strengths, and create meaningful change.