Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Columbia, SC covered by Aetna

• My approach to therapy is interactive and collaborative, focused on your self discovery and growth. I see our work as a partnership where your voice, values, and goals matter. Together, we will explore what is bringing you to therapy and clarify the changes you hope to see in your life, relationships, and overall sense of well being.
• I prefer to join in with my clients rather than sit back and simply observe. We will actively work together to identify patterns, build insight, and develop practical tools that enhance your quality of life. I will offer gentle guidance, ask thoughtful questions, and invite your feedback so our sessions feel useful and relevant to you.
• I believe the therapy relationship is designed to support the change you are seeking. Our work will help you move toward those desired shifts at a pace that feels right, while honoring what is most important to you. If you are ready to explore your next steps in a collaborative, supportive space, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

I'm Michelle Smith — LPC, MA in Professional Counseling, and your biggest advocate before you've even said a word. I chose this work because I genuinely believe that every person who walks through the door carries something worth fighting for, and I want to be in your corner while you fight for it. I specialize in working with people who are anxious, exhausted, grieving, or just quietly wondering if things can ever feel different. Spoiler: they can. Whether you're carrying old wounds, navigating a hard season, or searching for something that feels like hope — I'm here for all of it. You have immense value and purpose, and my job is to help you remember that.

Being a therapist has consistently helped me find special compassion for those in need. I started my practice based on three core beliefs: growth, resilience, and empowerment. I believe that every person is worthy of success, happiness, and wellness. This often involves changing dysfunctional habits, reframing beliefs about the self and the world, and empowerment. All things are possible, but don't need to be accomplished alone!

I believe meaningful healing begins when individuals feel seen, heard, and understood. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, I bring over four years of clinical counseling experience, along with more than twenty-two years as a school psychologist, to support children, individuals, and families.

With more than two decades in education, I became deeply aware of how essential mental health support is for children and families. I witnessed firsthand how emotional challenges can affect learning, relationships, and overall well-being—and how transformative the right support can be.

These experiences led me to pursue a career in mental health counseling. Today, I partner with adults to help them build a strong, grounded foundation for themselves, one that naturally extends to their children and strengthens the family as a whole. I also remain committed to supporting teens as they enter adulthood, helping them develop the tools and confidence needed for lifelong well-being.

We all have experiences in life that might leave us feeling broken or disconnected with ourselves, others, in relationships, and the world around us. I believe that healing and wholeness can belong to all of us. If you are looking for someone to support you on your journey toward wellness and restoration, allow me to accompany you on the road that can often feel isolating when taken alone. The therapeutic relationship is paramount to me!

Hello, I’m Ashley Nelson. I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and therapist dedicated to helping individuals move from surviving to truly thriving. With a background in psychiatric nursing, emergency medicine, and specialized training as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), I bring over a decade of diverse healthcare experience, blending clinical expertise with a deep understanding of human resilience in the face of crisis. My practice focuses on supporting adults, children, and families through life’s challenges — including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and the unique stressors faced by military members, first responders, nurses, and other helping professionals.

I have a deep passion for working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and complex trauma, providing a safe, compassionate space where healing feels possible. My approach blends evidence-based psychiatric care with practical, real-life strategies, empowering clients to reclaim their sense of control, rebuild confidence, and create lives that feel meaningful again.

With additional licenses in Louisiana, Utah, Arizona, Tennessee, and Florida, I can see patients via telehealth from across the country.

I help clients understand what they’re experiencing and build tools they can actually use. Together, we reduce anxiety, manage stress, and improve relationships. My approach is supportive, direct, and tailored to you. I also offer EMDR to process past experiences so they have less impact on your present.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has been practicing since 2013. I provide virtual therapy for women, LGBTQ+ adults, and neurodivergent clients who are navigating anxiety, burnout, identity exploration, and the lingering impact of past relational or religious wounds and other trauma.

I focus on helping thoughtful, sensitive adults better understand their inner world, build healthier boundaries, and feel more aligned in their daily lives.

Counseling with a sense of humor! Licensed therapist since 2007.

I help clients process trauma & recover from substance disorders. I work with survivors of domestic violence, coercive control, childhood abuse, sexual abuse & those suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, SI, grief, co-dependence & ADD. EMDR is available for clients who find they can't “shake-off” the past, as it lives in the present. EMDR allows my clients to move through their trauma and put it where belongs, in the past. Trauma is not your fault but healing is your responsibility.