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84 licensed therapists & providers in North Carolina—2 in Cary. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
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94% of clients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
As a person who has experienced trauma and loss, I truly understand how deeply life's challenges can shake us. I also know firstha...
About
As a person who has experienced trauma and loss, I truly understand how deeply life's challenges can shake us. I also know firsthand that developing new tools and coping skills is what allows us to reclaim our power and move forward.
Sometimes life can feel like you're running on a treadmill—moving constantly but staying in the exact same place. Hard or painful events can be a single, monumental moment or the quiet, cumulative weight of carrying too much for too long. A former colleague once said, "I might not be the one who caused the problems in my life but I'm the one who has to fix them." Therapy works best as a collaborative partnership built on radical compassion, zero judgment, and genuine human connection. I believe everyone possesses an innate capacity to heal, and it would be my privilege to help you rediscover yours.
My practice balances deep empathy with practical, evidence-based techniques. By blending CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered, trauma-informed care, we customize sessions to fit your unique needs. I specialize in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those navigating gender-affirming care, as well as adults with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma.
Healing isn't about erasing your past—it's about changing how the past lives in your present. I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey. Together, we will create a space where you can move out of survival mode and step into a life rooted in safety, resilience, and genuine peace. Let's figure out how to get you moving again, together.
Education and training
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As a young woman in today's society, I understand life’s unique issues. I have personal experience with grief and loss and can und...
As a young woman in today's society, I understand life’s unique issues. I have personal experience with grief and loss and can understand the lasting impact they have.
Victoria Smith is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience working with clients with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, loss/grief, addiction, academic stress, everyday life stressors, and legal concerns. She prioritizes a collaborative approach with clients to help them reach their goals and see issues in their lives as things to be solved, not problems holding them back.
Victoria has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Mount Olive. As therapy is not one-size-fits-all, she uses varying techniques based on client needs. These may include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness methods.
Victoria believes in building a strong foundation of trust with clients to allow for a greater understanding of one another that will lead to change. She strives to create a safe space where you can express all feelings without fear of judgment. Victoria looks forward to partnering with you as you walk through this journey.
As a Black millennial therapist, I help individuals and couples of color who are exhausted from carrying the weight of everything ...
As a Black millennial therapist, I help individuals and couples of color who are exhausted from carrying the weight of everything alone and feeling like they have to pretend they’re okay when, deep down, they’re struggling to hold it all together.
Dominique Correa is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 5 years of experience. She supports individuals and couples of color navigating anxiety, communication breakdowns, anger, identity challenges, and mood disorders like bipolar and borderline personality. Dominique is well-versed in depression, anxiety, and ADHD management. With a background in family systems, she has experience working with children and helping clients break patterns and build emotionally safe relationships.
Dominique earned her Master’s in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Walden University. She uses a direct, empathetic, and therapeutic approach and draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and family systems.
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next steps? You don’t have to carry it all on your own. Feeling the weight of life’s challenges is okay because you are not alone. When you’re ready to make meaningful changes, reach out. Together, we can work through what’s holding you back and create space for clarity, healing, and growth.
Laura Harris, MS, LCMHC, is a licensed therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting people who are used to performing und...
Laura Harris, MS, LCMHC, is a licensed therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting people who are used to performing under pressure but want to live with more clarity and less noise. She works best with adults who carry a lot of responsibility, insight, complexity, and are looking for space to think clearly and move with intention. Laura’s approach is grounded, honest, and deeply human. You don’t have to perform here. Just bring what’s real.
Laura holds degrees from Missouri State University and Tuskegee University. Her work blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and intuitive, truth-driven conversation. Her style is warm, practical, and expansive, ideal for those seeking clarity, insight, and accountability.
Therapy with Laura is collaborative, direct, and grounded in care. A former early childhood educator and quiet contributor to national conversations on race and mental health, she brings humor, depth, and insight to every session. If you're ready for therapy that meets your mind and heart, Laura invites you to reach out.
I will work hard to listen, understand, and work with you on your unique challenges and goals....
I will work hard to listen, understand, and work with you on your unique challenges and goals.
Andrew Perez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 8 years of experience in the field of mental health. Andrew is passionate about working with adults to identify and overcome obstacles in order to thrive in their lives. Andrew has experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, anger management, relationships, and goal setting toward peak performance.
Andrew completed his Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Mississippi College and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and biking. Andrew has completed several triathlons. His education blended with his love for a healthy lifestyle enables him to guide and support clients to access their strengths to reach their goals. Andrew uses an eclectic approach with treatment modalities including positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Adlerian techniques, and internal family systems (IFS).
We are all humans. We all face obstacles and need support. Congratulations on taking the courage to reach out for help. Andrew is confident that you will gain support, insights, and strategies to increase your ability to cope, overcome obstacles, and maybe even thrive in your life. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with him today.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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When utilizing dialectical behavior therapy, it's important to assess a client's knowledge base of the approach and information. Many times, a client may already be familiar with the basics and may need either a refresher or increased accountability for using the numerous skills associated with DBT. For those who have not had DBT before, a basic tenet is to not just balance but fully utilize perspectives of both acceptance and change. I enjoy and often engage clients in DBT because it gives a clear process for how to experience, work with, and effectively communicate our thoughts and emotions to others.
I cover and/or review the following tools in DBT:
Clients are making progress in DBT when they are better able to utilize their Wise Mind to understand their emotional reactions and their logical decision-making sides. Improved interactions with themselves and others are typically the outcome of effective DBT.
To supplement DBT-focused sessions, clients can engage with DBT workbooks that can be purchased online (we cover some worksheets in sessions), check out free resources on DBT online or through their local library, and attend DBT groups that are often being run in local areas. These groups are typically more so focused on the skills related to DBT, and as such can be experienced more like workshops than support groups.
To prepare for their first session of DBT, a client can explore and present their personal struggles in their life as they relate to the things they are struggling to accept about themselves, others, or a situation, and identify the things they can and want to change in relation to these areas.
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Cary, NC is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Cary is located near SW Maynard Rd and Kildaire Farm Rd, off US-1. It is a short distance from the Page-Walker Arts & History Center and right by the Cary Arts Center.
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