Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Birmingham, AL

"As a woman with varied life experience, I understand the need to have a listening ear."

Brenda Naftel is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience. Brenda is passionate about helping young and older adults along their life journey. She has experience in anxiety, depression, domestic violence, couples, and grief.

Brenda completed her Master of Education (MEd) at Auburn Montgomery. She uses cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and sometimes dialectical behavior techniques as the basis for most sessions. 

Along life’s journey there are times we need someone to be there. Brenda would be honored if you would allow her to be with you on life’s challenging journey. She will be your sounding board and offer you coping techniques to help you along the way.

"I'm here to help you work through life’s challenges and to reach your individual goals."

Lee is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 12 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about helping those seeking to enter counseling to create change with the goal of positive outcomes. Lee specializes in treating adults and seniors who are seeking help with concerns or conditions related to anxiety, behavioral issues, career-related issues, poor coping skills, family conflict, stress, parenting, relationship issues, academic issues, low self-esteem, and more.

Lee completed her Master's in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. Her counseling experiences span a variety of settings, ranging from substance abuse programs, adoption and foster care, mental health facilities, and school-based counseling. Lee has a strong foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and uses a person-centered approach (PCT).

Lee understands that each client's needs are to be tailored and will help you to develop individual treatment strategies to address your personal needs and goals. Lee believes she is here to support and respect you, provide honest feedback, and accept you for who you are, to build a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship. Her goal is to be a guide in your personal journey by helping you set individual goals along your path until you reach your destination—schedule your first session today.

"If you are seeking to overcome the burden of anxiety, depression, or negative self-talk, I am equipped with the knowledge, resources, and compassion to meet you where you are to help you reach your goals."

Catherine K. Thompson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience working with a variety of populations. Her specialties include adults with concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, low self-esteem, and childhood trauma. She also specializes in assisting women navigating the various challenges of motherhood, along with people of color.

Catherine earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi. She believes that therapy is not a “one-size fits all” approach, and she utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, motivational Interviewing, and psychodynamic therapy as most applicable to meet the client’s needs.

For some, the idea of therapy is without stigma and openly welcomed. For others, it’s one of the hardest decisions they will make. It is easy to remain in familiarity. Catherine is extending an olive branch in hopes that you will make the hard decision now to achieve the peace you desire in the future.

"Being able to provide support and validation to the LGBTQIA+ community through their many challenges and obstacles has been extremely rewarding for me and has reinforced my drive to be an affirming therapist."

Savannah Donahoe is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a background focused on trauma, crisis response, LGBTQIA+ issues, gender-affirming care, PTSD, depression and anxiety, self-esteem, gender identity-related issues, sexual identity,-related issues, grief, and loss. Savannah is passionate about providing support to folks of all ages through the unique challenges that they face. She values the importance of diversity, self-identity, and multicultural competency.

Savannah completed her Master's degree in Counseling at the University of Montevallo. She has experience in trauma and crisis response, as well as gender-affirming care. Savannah utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), person-centered therapy (PCT), and gender-affirming therapy.

Savannah is confident that she would be able to support you through the different challenges you may be facing. Seeking counseling can be a very difficult step, but if you feel ready, schedule an appointment with Savannah to start working towards a better quality of life.

"Everyone has the right to be heard."

Pamela Pierce is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, anger, and behavioral issues in youth and adults. She has 9 years of experience working with at-risk adolescents and adults with severe mental illness in a behavioral health setting. Pamela has worked with individuals and couples in a private practice setting for 2 years. She has a passion for collaboratively assisting individuals working through their anxiety, depression, and anger. It is Pamela's experience that behavioral issues tend to stem from an underlying issue.

Pamela completed her bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. She also holds a post-graduate degree in Play Therapy from Capella University. She has 6 years of experience in Child Development.

Pamela’s main goal is to provide you with support and encouragement. She believes that a compassionate ear is helpful in healing. Her theoretical approach to counseling is integrative, utilizing person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and reality therapy. Pam is open to learning about your identity and experiences by providing a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free atmosphere. She likes to meet you where you are to help bring clarity to your presenting problem.

"I am an honest and caring counselor and want to create a safe and real place for clients to explore, discover, try, fail, change, and heal."

Michelle Essary is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience specializing in how the body, brain, and mind all work together. She takes whole-person approach to therapy and works with individuals ages 14 and over, couples, and groups. She specializes in relationship issues, cross-cultural transition, life transition, anxiety, grief, and depression. She also works with those dealing with ADHD, PTSD, peak performance, or navigating neurodivergence.

Michelle has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary. She is certified in neurofeedback and uses several therapeutic modalities to assist her clients, such as existential therapy, family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Michelle is eager to work with those who believe they are ready for change and wants to join with clients to identify what is not working, the source of their discomfort, and help set them up for and walk with them into successful healing, change, and overall health.

"As someone who has first-hand experience with the positive impact of counseling, I look forward to the opportunity to see how I can best serve you on your journey. "

**DISCLAIMER - DOES NOT PROVIDE PSYCH TESTING OR EVALUATIONS**

Brandy Smith is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Alabama with 13+ years post-doctoral experience. She was trained as a generalist and earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Memphis. Brandy works with adults and approaches clinical work collaboratively: meeting clients where they are at and working together to reach their goals. She is well-trained to address diversity broadly defined, especially with concerns related to gender, sexual orientation, and race. Those are not the only areas of diversity experience and do not have to be the primary focus, but if diversity is relevant to include within best serving you, she is skilled in doing so.

Brandy views counseling as a collaboration between the client as the expert on their life and her as the expert on how to enhance mental well-being. Together, they identify goals and when needed break goals down to smaller sub-goals so that clients have identified, achievable steps/tasks they can work on between meetings to achieve desired change(s).

Brandy conceptualizes clients from a strength-based perspective and incorporates empowerment where relevant. While work in sessions is important, it’s work between sessions that will reap the greatest gains! She looks forward to the opportunity to enhance your coping and quality of life.