Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a Trauma/PTSD can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

No current openings

All NC providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!
Christal Nelson

Hear from Christal Nelson, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

View Christal Nelson's profile

What is your go-to approach for PTSD/trauma therapy?

My go-to approach for assisting others with PTSD/trauma is trauma-focused CBT and EMDR. The benefit of EMDR is watching the client's triggers to trauma decrease within a few sessions.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I teach the following tools in PTSD/trauma therapy: use of coping skills, deep breathing, tapping, bilateral stimulation, and guided imagery.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I know the client is making meaningful progress when their triggers to trauma decrease and the narrative formed during the trauma changes from victim to an empowered survivor.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement PTSD/trauma therapy?

Clients can supplement their time outside of therapy with the homework I send and/or assign them.

What should someone do to prepare for starting PTSD/trauma therapy?

To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma therapy session, someone can practice expressing what they are and aren't comfortable with in sharing with the therapist. The sessions move at the pace of the client, not the therapist.

Starting Trauma/PTSD therapy

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Chapel Hill therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

Show more
Self-pay costs at Chapel Hill
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Thriveworks Chapel Hill reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Ariel is a compassionate, reliable, supportive counselor. The work she has done with foster children, birth families and foster families has been amazing to witness. She brings so much light and hope to the children and families she works with. She is truly a gift.
Read more Ariel is a compassionate, reliable, supportive counselor. The work she has done with foster children, birth families and foster families has been amazing to witness. She brings so much light and hope to the children and families she works with. She is truly a gift.
Chapel Hill Oct 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ariel Harris is an excellent therapist. I have worked with her in professional settings and she is kind with clients. She has worked with a variety of clientele from all areas of life, and is knowledgeable in many topics. She is supportive of her clients and genuinely cares about helping them reach their goals and be successful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their life.
Read more Ariel Harris is an excellent therapist. I have worked with her in professional settings and she is kind with clients. She has worked with a variety of clientele from all areas of life, and is knowledgeable in many topics. She is supportive of her clients and genuinely cares about helping them reach their goals and be successful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their life.
Chapel Hill Oct 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
She did an exceptional job as a counselor. She asked great questions and knew how to get to the root of the problems. Thanks!
Read more She did an exceptional job as a counselor. She asked great questions and knew how to get to the root of the problems. Thanks!
Chapel Hill Apr 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cindy Goulding is a very accomplished and experienced therapist. For Cindy, being a mental health professional is a calling not simply a job. She cares deeply about the success of her clients and makes them feel comfortable with her grounded and non-judgmental approach. Cindy is highly compassionate as a person. This is not a skill for her; it's who she is at her core. Her relentless pursuit to understand the experience and perspective of others is unmatched. Most people want a competent therapist they can trust with their most vulnerable fears, stories and relationship struggles. Cindy Goulding is a top notch choice!
Read more Cindy Goulding is a very accomplished and experienced therapist. For Cindy, being a mental health professional is a calling not simply a job. She cares deeply about the success of her clients and makes them feel comfortable with her grounded and non-judgmental approach. Cindy is highly compassionate as a person. This is not a skill for her; it's who she is at her core. Her relentless pursuit to understand the experience and perspective of others is unmatched. Most people want a competent therapist they can trust with their most vulnerable fears, stories and relationship struggles. Cindy Goulding is a top notch choice!
Chapel Hill Mar 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cindy Goulding is a topnotch counselor. I have worked with her professionally and referred patients to her for both her personal training and her counseling skills. She has written a very nice book on how to manage weight family style.
Read more Cindy Goulding is a topnotch counselor. I have worked with her professionally and referred patients to her for both her personal training and her counseling skills. She has written a very nice book on how to manage weight family style.
Chapel Hill Feb 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cindy is a very caring, honest and responsible person. She is very understanding and compassionate. Her skills are exceptionally sharp, and she has high integrity. She is very thorough and always thinking of how to resolve difficult situations. She is open-minded, non-judgmental and an asset to anyone working with her.
Read more Cindy is a very caring, honest and responsible person. She is very understanding and compassionate. Her skills are exceptionally sharp, and she has high integrity. She is very thorough and always thinking of how to resolve difficult situations. She is open-minded, non-judgmental and an asset to anyone working with her.
Chapel Hill Feb 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I am very pleased with my therapist. She provides insights to my emotions and behavior. she helps me explore new ways of thinking that helps me turn away from negativity. She helps me understand the origins of some of my behaviors. I look forward to continue working with her to help me attain a more fufilled and happy life.
Read more I am very pleased with my therapist. She provides insights to my emotions and behavior. she helps me explore new ways of thinking that helps me turn away from negativity. She helps me understand the origins of some of my behaviors. I look forward to continue working with her to help me attain a more fufilled and happy life.
Chapel Hill Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
It’s difficult to say how someone can impact your life. In a short time Donna has impacted my life and helped me see there is a journey. Although the journey is not clear to me, Donna listens with a compassionate heart and deep intent. She is truly engaged and seeks to help you understand as you tell your story. It is the telling of the story that is more important than the words, a wise person told me. Donna very much wants to hear your story. I’m lucky and grateful to have found her.
Read more It’s difficult to say how someone can impact your life. In a short time Donna has impacted my life and helped me see there is a journey. Although the journey is not clear to me, Donna listens with a compassionate heart and deep intent. She is truly engaged and seeks to help you understand as you tell your story. It is the telling of the story that is more important than the words, a wise person told me. Donna very much wants to hear your story. I’m lucky and grateful to have found her.
Chapel Hill Dec 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chapel Hill is located near the corner of Franklin Street and Estes Drive. We currently share a building with Select Physical Therapy, Child Trends, and Grupo Gransolar, among other businesses. When you turn off of Franklin Street, to get to our office, you will pass Avance Care Chapel Hill.

Phone number

(919) 642-1031

Languages spoken by NC providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

8 photos