Therapists in New Hanover County, NC

Do you feel that every day is a struggle? Or maybe you've lost the person you once were and can’t seem to find your way back? I know that anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or grief can make you feel like you aren’t in control of your own life. I'm here to guide you through these challenges so that you can become the best version of yourself. You are stronger and more resilient than you think, and I want to help you discover your power. You do have the strength to overcome what’s holding you back.

Healing can be approached from many different directions; it is a process that is different for everyone. I work collaboratively with adolescents and adults on issues ranging from depression, anxiety and loss, to relationship distress, addiction, and difficult life transitions. My hope is for clients to feel more at ease with themselves and others, in body, mind, and heart.

Life -- it presents challenges that often leave us feeling devastated, uninspired, unmotivated, and simply put, unhappy. Maneuvering through these seasons in life can result in internal conflict, unresolved pain, anxiety, depression, and unwanted coping mechanisms that are detrimental to long-term health. I specialize in working with clients and families of all ages to overcome life adversities. Our work together will emphasize the processes of healing and the restoration of inner peace. In your healing, you can alleviate undesired difficulties by resolving deep emotional pain to reach your full capacity, strength, and power again.

I specialize in providing a safe and supportive space for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ teens and adults with deep-seated issues that may have been buried over the years. Whether you're a teenager grappling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, or navigating LGBTQ+ concerns, or an older adult carrying the weight of past struggles, I'm here to help you understand and overcome these obstacles.

You know the phrase, “You have to help yourself before you can help others?” It may ring especially true for you, someone who is running on empty, trying to do everything for everyone. You may feel exhausted, anxious or lack motivation. You may be wondering how much longer you can keep this up. I teach people pleasers and perfectionists to be at peace with their own decisions without worrying about causing conflict or disappointing others. If you want to say no and mean it without guilt or fear I’d love to support you getting there.

I bring over 25 years of clinical experience in both inpatient psychiatric settings and outpatient settings that have included mental health agencies and an expanding private practice. I have a specialty in the spectrum of Addiction, Codependency, and Recovery, as well as Dual Diagnosis clients who struggle with mood disorders, or a traumatic event history while seeking sobriety. I offer treatment using insight enhancing, behavioral and cognitive therapies; as well as spirituality and systems theory approaches to address mood, situational, self-esteem, loss, and relationship problems. I see clients in individual, couple, and family modalties, and am available to faciltate interventions for significant others.

Life often does not turn out as hoped for or expected. It can be difficult to navigate amidst feelings of isolation, sadness, anxiety, and grief. Relationships often suffer as a result of life stressors and the baggage we all bring into them from our own experiences. People want to feel lighter, healthier, and happier which can be achieved through a variety of tools and interventions. Through a combination of both experiential and cognitive approaches, therapy can help to ease the weight of tough times and instill hope and change.

The search for a therapist can be intimidating, as you are choosing someone with whom to share your most intimate thoughts and feelings. It's not easy to choose, but I wanted to share a bit about myself to help you see if we might be the right fit. I'm probably not exactly what you think of as a therapist, as I am a former airborne soldier with the United States Army. I'm not the prim and proper, super put together therapist who just tells you everything will be alright, (though it will)! Instead, I'm the a therapist who walks beside you on your journey to see things differently, make changes in your life, and advocate for yourself.

Times of difficulty and uncertainty can increase stress, anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, and can place added strain on relationships. The therapeutic process can help you develop a sense of calming, clarity, flexibility, and resilience. Help is available. You can begin to heal and restore balance in your life. I can provide support and resources for you to develop self-awareness, coping skills, effective communication skills, and healthy boundaries.

Let's face it, life can be really messy. People fail you, situations don't turn out like you planned, emotions feel overwhelming—all these things come together to create what can feel like an unsurmountable obstacle. What you desire are solutions to the very situations you are facing, a sense of peace regardless of circumstances, and hope for a much better future. This is where I can help. I work alongside my clients to create lives in which they feel fulfilled, confident, and hopeful for the future. I empower my clients with the skills they need to have joy and peace in their lives and relationships.

**Telehealth sessions are available.** It's important to me to cultivate a safe relationship space with everyone I see in counseling. We will collaborate, question, reflect, and explore positive directions based on your unique situation, concerns, strengths and individual sense of meaningfulness. Although my comfort zone within the range of life is relatively broad, I do have some special interest in areas related to substance use, family counseling and all facets of pre/post natal concerns.

I am a licensed therapist with 24 years of experience. I see adults struggling with a wide range of conditions, especially anxiety, depression and trauma issues. A combination of techniques are used to help clients discover their core issues and to develop skills that help them become more competent and comfortable in their lives. Among those techniques are EMDR, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral and insight oriented methods. Learning about ones self and new ways to deal with issues is a fascinating, healing and empowering experience.

When we experience difficult emotions, it can be tempting to avoid these feelings. This results in disconnection with ourselves, because our feelings are there to tell us something; a boundary has been crossed, or maybe we have made a decision that is incongruent with our values. Old scripts we learned in childhood may be causing us guilt and shame, preventing us from growing into our authentic selves. This emotional friction may impact our relationships, careers, or physical health. We may have turned to substance use. Or maybe we have spun our wheels so long that now we are stuck in ruts we can’t see our way out of.

Hayley practices from a client-centered approach, tailoring treatment to meet individual needs and preferences. She strives to provide a compassionate, non-judgmental, healing environment in which one can safely explore and process thoughts, feelings, and beliefs while working to achieve personal goals.

Accepting New Clients

Reaching out for help can be scary, yet here you are! Congrats on taking that first step. Sometimes we have to do the scary thing when we want more for ourselves. Something I hear again and again from my clients is: after they asked for help, some of the weight they had been carrying around came off. I hope the same will be true for you. Therapy has brought me hope. And I believe it can do the same for you. Human beings are profoundly resilient. We have this ability to come back from our struggles. Therapy offers a reset to figure out our next step and how to get there.

As a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), I provide services to individuals who struggle with substance use as well as individuals with co-occurring symptoms. If your use of alcohol or drugs is causing negative consequences, I want to help empower you to decrease unnecessary suffering and regain the manageability of a healthier lifestyle.

Having spent over a decade working in University Counseling Centers, I enjoy working with individuals at points in their life of growth or transition, whether forced upon them or chosen. Change is hard, when it's chosen and even more so when it's not. Having support can empower you to use the momentum created by change to create the life you want for yourself, instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by all that life changes require. Whether in a moment of distress or a desire to grow beyond the past, I value the opportunity to support clients in finding choices that allow them to live a more balanced and genuine life.

Hello! I'm Monica Hart, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based outside of Charlotte, NC. I work statewide via telehealth to support clients on their journey to wellness. I work with children, adolescents, and adults that may need assistance with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, grief, and other mental health concerns. I provide individual therapy for adults and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, grief, and personal development.