Find a therapist in Columbia, SC — covered by insurance

Have you been trying to find the root cause of your symptoms? Are you stuck repeating the same old habits and patterns and don't know what to do? Is anxiety, stress, depression and trauma weighing you down and you just want to feel better? You are in the right place! My approach to therapy is eclectic, using a variety of techniques to meet your needs. You will not only learn why you are the way you are but gain effective and transformative skills to calm the nervous system, release negative thoughts and feelings and finally see significant change in your behavior. Supporting clients to THRIVE, not just survive is my specialty. I have been in the mental health field for over 30 years in various levels of care and in private practice for over 18.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (with 21 years of medical experience) specializing in grief, trauma, life transitions, and the emotional impact of medical emergencies on individuals, families. As a counselor, I provide a safe, steady space to process what you’ve been through, make sense of the pain, and begin healing at your own pace—so you can reconnect with yourself, restore meaning, and move forward with greater clarity, strength, and hope.

Hello I hope this message finds you well. My name is Desiree Bishop and I am dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based support when life feels most challenging. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and over seven years of specialized experience, I blend deep clinical expertise with genuine empathy to help you navigate your healing journey.

My foundational work providing intensive therapy within the correctional and community mental health systems instilled in me a profound respect for human resilience. These experiences taught me to meet every client exactly where they are—entirely free of judgment.

My Specialties

Today, I proudly serve the Horry County community, partnering with individuals to manage complex mental health concerns, including:

• Mood Disorders: Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder
• Dual Diagnoses & Complex Needs
• Life Transitions: Grief, loss, and building emotional strength
• Personality Challenges

I help children, teens, adults, and families navigate trauma, anxiety, parenting challenges, relationship difficulties, grief, and life transitions. Many clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about the next step. I believe therapy is a stepping stone, not a destination. Together, we'll develop practical skills, restore hope, and strengthen your confidence so you can continue growing long after therapy ends and create the life you want.

Janet is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Masters Addiction Counselor, National Certified Addiction Counselor II, NC: Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, International Clinical Certified Counselor, Supervisor, ICCS, NC/SC: Clinical Supervisor. and NC/SC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor/Supervisor.

She has worked over 20 years with the population who has Substance use issues, chronic homelessness, mental health, medical, and behavioral issues. In addition, I serve the Faith based community, Christian counseling.

She is currently working with adults, couples and families. However my qualifications are in the area of adolescents, and adults; individuals, couples and family counseling; population of HIV/AIDS, Substance Use, Mental Health, Veterans issues, College students, Employee Assistance, and Trauma clients. In supervision, she qualified to supervise LPCs in North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as, SUD: LCASs, and CCSs in North Carolina and CCSs and CADCs in South Carolina.

Hey there! I'm Candace Ferguson, LPC-S, founder of Willow Haven Counseling LLC. I earned my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wilmington University in 2017 and have since obtained my Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) credentials.

I work with adolescents, adults, and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, trauma, self-esteem concerns, stress, and grief.

I have been practicing as a licensed therapist for 10 years and specialize in helping people reclaim their lives by healing from the pain of trauma, anxiety, and depression. I am trained as a clinical mental health counselor with additional specializations in play therapy and trauma focused work. I work with all populations from preteen into adulthood.

I became a therapist because I saw resilience in the most unlikely places. My foundation is in correctional and community mental health work — settings where people are often written off, where hope is in short supply, and where the work of healing matters most. That experience shaped how I practice: with zero judgment, complete presence, and an unwavering belief in people's capacity to change.

I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, serving adolescents and adults in Horry County and across South Carolina. As a Black female therapist, I bring cultural awareness and lived experience to the work — creating a space where you don't have to explain yourself before we can begin.

I often remind my clients: You are still here. That is proof your story isn't over.