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Discover how starting couples therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
6 therapists available in Columbia
I am honored to take this journey with you. I chose this career in part because of my own transformative experience with counselin...
About
I am honored to take this journey with you. I chose this career in part because of my own transformative experience with counseling as a young teenager, and I strive to provide that same sense of support, understanding, and positive change for those I work with.
I am a licensed clinical professional counselor (LPC) with 27 years of experience in the mental health field. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating PTSD, anxiety, relational concerns, and life transitions. My background includes work across inpatient settings, private practice, and community-based care, with a recent focus on supporting first responders, military families, and individuals seeking healthier relationships and emotional well-being.
I earned my doctorate in couple and family therapy from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where my research focused on intergenerational patterns within families. My clinical approach is client-centered and grounded in curiosity, compassion, and trust, with an emphasis on creating a safe, supportive space for meaningful exploration and growth.
I believe healing happens through strong therapeutic relationships built on safety and collaboration. I will work with you to focus on your priorities, explore difficult experiences at your pace, and support personal and relational growth. Seeking therapy is a courageous step, and I am honored to support you in that process.
Education and training
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Drawing from my clinical experience and my research with diverse families and caregivers, I approach therapy with empathy, cultura...
Drawing from my clinical experience and my research with diverse families and caregivers, I approach therapy with empathy, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to helping you navigate stress, identity, and the everyday demands of life.
I am a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) with 17 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life transitions, stress, emotional challenges, and identity concerns. I work with clients seeking clarity, confidence, and practical tools to navigate daily demands, and I strive to create a therapeutic space where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal and grow.
I earned my doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Capella University. My approach integrates empathy, cultural humility, and strength-based, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed practices to help clients build coping skills, improve relationships, and deepen their sense of emotional balance and resilience.
You deserve a space where your story is honored, and your healing is supported. I am here to walk with you as you gain clarity, strengthen your well-being, and develop tools that help you thrive. When you feel ready to begin, I would be honored to help you take the next step toward meaningful change and a more grounded, connected life.
I am here to help my client's explore feelings, improve quality of life, and strive towards their goals, while they remain feeling...
I am here to help my client's explore feelings, improve quality of life, and strive towards their goals, while they remain feeling safe and heard.
Karen Ortman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 5 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with children to assist them in improving their emotional and behavioral challenges, and she has worked with adults to learn and improve their daily living and social skills. Karen specializes in ADHD, anger, behavioral issues, coping skills, family therapy, and adjustment disorders.
Karen completed her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Karen is very motivated to help her clients achieve progress towards their personal goals. Karen utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, behavioral therapy, and structural family therapy (SFT).
Karen is willing to put in the time to help you discover new ways to understand and improve your quality of life. Be sure to schedule an appointment with her to begin working towards a healthier you.
A fundamental aspect of our humanity is our need for unconditional positive regard, understanding, acceptance, and presence from o...
A fundamental aspect of our humanity is our need for unconditional positive regard, understanding, acceptance, and presence from one another.
I am a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with 5 years of experience supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, and emotional challenges. I provide a thoughtful, insight-oriented approach to therapy and believe that meaningful change begins with understanding the deeper roots of your struggles. I am committed to creating a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and respected.
I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University, where I received training in psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. I draw from multiple evidence-based approaches and tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs, allowing therapy to unfold in a way that feels authentic and effective.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or isolated, you don’t have to face it alone. I offer an engaged, compassionate, and collaborative environment where we can explore challenges together and work toward clarity, relief, and lasting growth. I look forward to supporting you on your journey.
As an African American woman, I understand identity issues....
As an African American woman, I understand identity issues.
Donna Young is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia with over 20 years of experience assisting adolescents, teens, young adults, and families with managing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and adjusting to life’s ups and downs. She is also an approved CPCS with the state of Georgia.
Donna obtained her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She takes an eclectic approach that meets the client where they are and encompasses cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and person-centered therapy. She focuses on assisting the client with gaining insight and awareness that will facilitate growth and understanding to meet the needs of the client.
Donna works toward establishing a therapeutic relationship that is built on trust, honesty, and unconditional positive regard. She will create an environment where the client will feel safe and comfortable being open and exploring ways to develop skills.
As a young woman of color, I have a broad range of experiences that can contribute to building a strong connection with clients....
As a young woman of color, I have a broad range of experiences that can contribute to building a strong connection with clients.
Janay Taylor is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, Clinical (LCSW-C) who has experience working with children and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Janay is seeking to work with clients who are looking to receive guidance with depression, anxiety, parenting education, communication, and relationship issues.
Janay completed both her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Salisbury University. She comes from an environment of working with people involved in the Child Welfare system, guiding them toward reunifying children with birth families.
Janay utilizes empathetic listening, guided practice, collaboration, and strengths-based approaches to help clients reach their own understanding of how to make their life better. She works with clients to find a path to their own happiness. Janay wants to build an understanding and accepting environment where people can feel confident about their own abilities in reaching and maintaining their goals, with the ultimate outcome of living an enriching and meaningful life.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:
Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.
Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
Very few couples will go through life without experiencing conflicts within their marriage or relationship. Arguments are a normal aspect of interaction between partners and don’t always have to be regarded as something negative. Many couples will, however, encounter serious challenges and will find it impossible to manage them alone – these may include infidelity, differing sexual expectations or permanently and severely handicapped communication.
Research suggests that people in troubled relationships often delay seeking professional support – on average, they will wait 6 years before finally choosing to get help in the form of marriage or couples therapy. During such a long period of time partners may develop a mutual resentment serious enough to prevent conflict resolution and eventual reconciliation. The sooner partners decide to attend marriage or couples counseling, the higher their chances of finding a lasting solution to their problems. So, without further ado, reach out to Thriveworks Howard today to schedule your first marriage counseling appointment.
Divorce is a serious matter, often having consequences not just for the spouses, but also for their children, their financial circumstances and social life. It continues to surprise that almost half of all marriages in America end in divorce. Although for some couples parting ways will be truly the better option, in many cases conflict resolution is possible – through improved dialogue and through effort to understand each other’s emotions and opinions, both of which can often be achieved with the help of a professional relationship counselor.
Couples and marriage therapy is a method proven to be successful at helping partners restore a healthy relationship and avoid splitting up. It is true, however, that not all relationships can be salvaged and therapy can be in fact a great way to facilitate an amicable separation and reduce the damage to a family during the divorce process.
A marriage or couples therapist will strive to teach his or her clients how to control their emotions and avoid unnecessary arguments, how to listen and try to understand one another and communicate their thoughts in a constructive and composed manner. Broadly speaking, professional therapy for couples provides the participants with tools that are to help them resolve old and future conflicts and prevent emergence of a lasting resentment that could permanently ruin their relationship. It is, however, important to acknowledge that this type of counseling does not provide a simple fix solution – a good therapist won’t tell one what to do, but will guide the partners to working out the solutions themselves.
At Thriveworks Columbia, we have worked with various couples – young couples, as well as couples that have been together for 30 years; people facing very difficult conflicts, as well as individuals who simply want to work through some minor issues within their relationships. Thanks to this extensive experience we understand how to best help our clients – no matter who they are or what problems they approach us with. We believe that change is possible – so please, reach out to us today to arrange your first couples or marriage counseling session.
As we have already mentioned, there are many different techniques and approaches used in couples therapy. If you’re ready to put these techniques to work, reach out to Thriveworks Columbia today to schedule your first appointment. Thriveworks offers same-week appointments to new clients, provides evening and weekend scheduling options, accepts most major insurances, and offers additional benefits.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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