WE’RE HIRING!
Come join our team of 2000+ clinicians
FEATURED ARTICLE
A comprehensive guide to starting therapy
Book my first session
96% of clients feel supported and understood by their therapist
Get expert medication support, tailored to you
Check my copay estimate
Sessions cost $24 on average with insurance
Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
5 therapists available in Charleston
As someone who understands how it feels to be overwhelmed, stuck, or not like yourself, I know the struggle of trying to navigate ...
About
As someone who understands how it feels to be overwhelmed, stuck, or not like yourself, I know the struggle of trying to navigate that journey alone, and the relief that can come from having someone to talk to.
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 8 years of experience supporting clients navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I am passionate about helping individuals move toward healthier emotional patterns, stronger self-awareness, and more meaningful well-being. I work with children, adolescents, and adults and specialize in helping clients manage persistent anxiety and challenging emotional symptoms.
I earned my master’s degree in human services counseling from Liberty University. My approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with psychodynamic principles to support both practical skill building and deeper insight. This balanced foundation helps clients understand the roots of their challenges while learning tools to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
I know reaching out can feel overwhelming, and I honor the strength it takes to begin this process. I aim to create a safe, grounded space where you feel heard and supported as we work through your concerns together. I look forward to meeting you, listening to what you need, and helping you take meaningful steps toward relief and lasting change.
Education and training
View more therapists in Charleston
Having journeyed through adversity, loss, and personal challenges, I have gained a profound empathy for those who feel defeated or...
Having journeyed through adversity, loss, and personal challenges, I have gained a profound empathy for those who feel defeated or lost yet remain determined to awaken their inner strength and develop new skills to navigate the ever-changing roller coaster of life.
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 4 years of experience supporting individuals through life transitions, emotional challenges, and moments of uncertainty. I create a warm, safe, and validating space where clients feel grounded, understood, and empowered. I draw from my experience working in private practice and community settings to help clients navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship stress, and issues related to identity, self-worth, and family dynamics.
I earned my master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University. I utilize approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy to support meaningful change. I tailor my approach to each person’s needs and goals.
I believe every person holds the capacity to heal, grow, and reclaim their sense of clarity and purpose. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion, honesty, and encouragement as you navigate both challenges and breakthroughs. You deserve support that honors your strengths, your story, and your journey. I would be honored to work with you.
If you are feeling stuck, stressed out, lost, anxious, or depressed, I want you to know that there is hope and I am here to help....
If you are feeling stuck, stressed out, lost, anxious, or depressed, I want you to know that there is hope and I am here to help.
Edward Johnsen is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 10 years of experience working in the mental health field. He is passionate about helping adults of all ages and backgrounds address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Edward specializes in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, men's issues, relationship issues, substance use disorders, and major life transitions.
Edward completed his Master of Arts (MA) degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology at The Citadel Graduate College. He has over 10 years of experience working in a variety of settings including a wilderness residential program, in-patient hospitals, and outpatient clinics. While knowledgeable of mental health treatments, Edward knows that you are the expert on you. He is committed to exploring your concerns together and coming up with a solution that you are most comfortable with.
Whatever challenges you may be facing, you do not have to face them alone. Edward is confident that he can help you gain new perspectives and techniques to support you on your journey. If you are ready to do the work, you will be amazed at how capable you are to tackle the obstacles ahead. Reach out and schedule an appointment with him today.
I am here to provide support, teach skills, and assist you with navigating through life challenges....
I am here to provide support, teach skills, and assist you with navigating through life challenges.
Luciana Smalls is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 7 years of experience in the mental health field. Luciana enjoys working with individuals, families, and couples dealing with stress, life challenges, grief, and communication challenges. She has diverse experience working with individuals and families with addiction, self-esteem, anxiety, foster care, kinship care, military families, medical challenges, stress, and time management.
Luciana completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services at Springfield College, graduating with honors. She completed her Master of Science (MS) in Professional Mental Health Counseling at Webster University.
Luciana has a mission to help individuals create a healthy lifestyle from utilizing community resources, learning tools, becoming adaptive, and using assertive communication.
Drawing from my journey with anxiety, self-esteem, and postpartum challenges, I am dedicated to helping both men and women find st...
Drawing from my journey with anxiety, self-esteem, and postpartum challenges, I am dedicated to helping both men and women find strength and balance in their lives.
Leanee Marsh is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience in counseling and 6 years of experience as an educator. Her ideal clients are individuals and couples who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, struggle with self-worth, or are navigating the emotional complexities and adjustments in life. Her clients seek compassionate support to regain confidence, develop coping skills, and build a healthier, more balanced mindset. They grow within a safe, nonjudgmental space, where Leanee provides them with a supportive environment to explore their feelings and challenges, allowing them to flourish.
Leanee earned a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and is also a National Certified Counselor. Her counseling sessions incorporate mindfulness, motivational interviewing, coping skills development, and emotional regulation to help clients build resilience and self-awareness.
When you're ready to take the first step towards improving your well-being and personal growth, reaching out for support can make all the difference. Let's connect and begin your journey toward healing and empowerment because you deserve support that meets you where you are.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
My go-to approach for DBT is to start off by identifying any behaviors that may be leading to emotional distress. After identifying these behaviors, we will move to working on living in the moment, developing coping skills that are authentic to you, learning to regulate stress, and attempting to improve relationships with those that you are closest to.
Some of the tools that are taught in DBT are:
As a therapist, I will know if clients are making meaningful progress in DBT therapy by seeing them engage in healthy coping skills, maintain consistent healthy relationships, and report overall lower stress levels.
Clients can supplement their time in DBT therapy by working on themselves and their emotions. Clients can obtain DBT workbooks that direct them in emotion regulation and being in the present.
There is no need to prepare for the first DBT session. You can simply show up with an open mind, allow yourself to engage with your therapist, and be forthcoming with the experiences and feelings you are having.
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 Charleston, SC 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
Shown in ET
5 photos
Call us to book
Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session.
Book online
Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps.