Therapists for college students near Duke University

Do you ever feel that you have too much on your plate or that your emotions overwhelm you? It can feel like there is no way to escape these feelings, and that there is no way to change. It can be hard to go through these issues on your own, but therapy can be a space where these issues can be addressed. It can provide you the opportunity to explore who you are and make the changes that you want to see in your life. In therapy we will address the issue that you see as obstacles from achieving your goals and having a better understanding of yourself.

I am a licensed mental health professional with a background in counseling and over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling and am dedicated to providing evidence-based therapy tailored to each client’s unique needs. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, and stress management. I strive to create a safe, collaborative environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to achieve their goals.

We offer specialized treatment for disordered eating and body image concerns in person OR virtually. This includes individuals with diagnosable eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, & binge eating disorder AND individuals who may not meet criteria for an eating disorder but are seeking a gentler, easier, and more connected relationship with their body. We also offer treatment for anxiety, trauma, depression, ADHD, relationship, infertility/pregnancy loss concerns.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Stressed and overwhelmed? need a place to talk it out? Therapy is a great place to start and I'm happy to work with you to move from dis-ease to ease.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Does your life have many turns and twists? Do you struggle with Anxiety or Depression? Are you overwhelmed with life adjustments and conflicts? We all experience pain, grief, disappointment and heartbreak in life. How do we adjust to these challenges while life is still moving? I am glad that you are here seeking therapy and support. My responsibility as a therapist is to support individuals and families without judgment. One of the goals in therapy to build trust, integrity and a therapeutic connection to begin working towards empowering individuals to changing distorted thoughts, behaviors or challenges in a person’s life. I support individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, relational conflicts and trauma. I provide effective coping skills to manage daily life. I also engage with clients to empower effective mind altering thinking to improve results in behavior and choices. My focus is to provide individuals with support through the therapeutic process. Identifying and explore feelings, thoughts and behaviors are key to make life more enjoyable. As a therapist my goal is to provide a client with support with the process of breakthrough, healing, and empowerment to move forward in life with personal and professional relationships. Together, we will build a safe and trusting relationship to support your goal.

People often hear “just go to therapy” or “focus on healing” but not enough is said about how complex that process can feel. Healing can feel uncertain. You may know something needs to shift but not know where to start. It can feel like progress and setbacks are happening at the same time. It can also feel like wanting support but not yet having the words for it. If that sounds familiar you are not alone. As a Holistic Mental Health Therapist I support clients in reconnecting with themselves and building a sense of safety in mind body and spirit. I integrate evidence based practices with mindfulness breathwork meditation and trauma informed yoga to support nervous system regulation and emotional grounding. You do not have to figure it all out alone. There is space here for your story and your process.

Do you feel you have the weight of the world on your shoulders and worry about how to handle the responsibilities in your life? Have you been feeling blue or had thoughts you are not good enough? Do you want to feel understood? Are you having trouble communicating your point of view/handling conflict? Anything you are experiencing; you do not have to discover the solutions on your own. With a fresh perspective, you will find your inner power, gain self-confidence, and know you are somebody who is enough. I have a passion to help those who desire a different perspective or want to see their lives through a different set of lenses.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

If you're here, part of you is ready for something to change. You might be dealing with anxiety that won't let up, burnout from trying to keep up with everything on your plate, or motivation that seems to have disappeared right when you need it most. Or maybe you're someone who feels things intensely, or struggles to start tasks and follow through. Some days it might feel like you're managing everyone else's expectations more than your own. I work with college and graduate students, especially women, who are navigating these kinds of challenges alongside the pressures of school. Many of my clients are highly sensitive or neurodivergent, or are starting to wonder if they might be. I also work with students carrying attachment wounds, old patterns from family or past relationships that keep showing up in new relationships, whether with friends, partners, or roommates. I have experience working with students adjusting to a new environment, whether that's the transition into college life, a new culture, or being far from home for the first time. If you're Spanish-speaking or navigating life between cultures, I offer sessions in Spanish and bring real understanding of that experience into our work together. My approach is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps you get to know the different parts of yourself, like the part that worries, the part that pushes you to keep going no matter what, or the part that shuts down when things feel like too much. You don't have to have it all figured out to reach out. Together, we work with these parts with curiosity and compassion, so you can feel calmer, more confident, and more like yourself.

Finding the right therapist can be overwhelming and confusing. The relationship between therapist and client is of utmost importance to therapeutic growth. My work with young adults focuses on helping them learn effective skills to manage the challenges they face as they navigate this next phase of their life, emotionally, socially, academically, and professionally. I look forward to speaking with you to help determine if my experience and approach may be a good match for you.

I’m Elena Engle, LMHC, a virtual therapist specializing in EMDR therapy with college students, emerging adult women, and high-achieving individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and identity-related stress. Many of the people I work with are used to holding a great deal together for others while quietly feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from themselves. My approach is warm, thoughtful, and collaborative. I help clients better understand the deeper patterns shaping how they feel, relate, and function while building greater regulation, self-trust, clarity, and resilience. This work is often a strong fit for students and professionals who want support that goes beyond surface-level coping and addresses the underlying experiences affecting their well-being.

Are your imposter syndrome and perfectionism besties? You’re high energy, curious, spontaneous, and fun to be around! But you’ve just forgotten another important birthday or missed another huge deadline. You’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you have to do and it never feels like you have enough time to do them. Maybe you’re also feeling stuck or stagnant in your career, it was something you were passionate about but now it’s unfulfilling. You're living for your next PTO but it doesn't matter how long it is, it's not enough to feel rested. And maybe you wonder… is this just what adulting is like now? Clients come to me needing someone who can help get to the root of their problems, because therapy should be a place where you find peace beyond just what’s wrong today. Therapy sessions are a combination of talking and exercises—whatever makes sense for you. We will always go at your pace, never pushing to place you’re not ready to be. Let's work together to help you be fully present in the important moments in your life, whether it's breakfast with your family or an important presentation, and spending your time doing what you're uniquely gifted to do, what brings you the greatest joy, and allows you to make your deepest contribution to the world. Schedule your free strategy call today!

Living with anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma can make even simple tasks feel exhausting and leave you feeling disconnected from yourself. In therapy, we’ll gently explore the root of your struggles, identify patterns that keep you stuck, and build healthy coping strategies. My goal is to help you feel grounded, empowered, and free to create a life that feels meaningful and truly your own. I blend CBT to challenge unhelpful thoughts, person-centered therapy to create a safe, validating space, and narrative therapy to help clients rewrite the stories shaped by anxiety, depression, and trauma—empowering them to reclaim control, build resilience, and move toward healing with clarity and confidence. I understand no two individuals are the same, and tailor our sessions together to address challenges unique to you. We will work together to understand the root cause of your struggles and address them with strategies, helping you get closer to the life you’ve always wanted. Step Into Your Greatness

Hello, and welcome. I’m a licensed clinical social worker who works with adults navigating anxiety, OCD, and a history of trauma. I know how exhausting it can be when your mind keeps pulling you away from the life you actually want to live. My approach is active and collaborative. I won't just sit back and listen. I often bring humor into sessions too—it's a natural way to soften rigidity, gain perspective, and open the door to change. Together, we'll draw on evidence-based, trauma-informed methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and other cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches, shaped around what actually works for you. Where it's helpful, we'll also bring in mindfulness and somatic techniques to build your ability to get present, even in moments that feel hard. At the center of this work is curiosity and self-compassion: learning to meet your thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them. That shift tends to be what opens things up—clearer self-understanding, more effective ways of coping, and the courage to make choices that move you toward living well.

Warm greetings! I specialize in working with young adults navigating life transitions as well as those who have been impacted by trauma. While I utilize several evidence based modalities including EMDR, CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the core of my practice is a person centered approach and believe in the power of having a positive therapist/client relationship. I strive to create a safe and affirming environment for all of my clients. Humble Mountain Counseling and Wellness PLLC is an anti-hate, anti-racist, LGBTQ+ inclusive, HAES oriented, and religiously unbiased. All are welcome.

At Serenity & Grace Therapeutic Services, we believe meaningful change begins with a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship. Our compassionate team provides evidence-based, client-centered care for individuals, couples, and families navigating life's challenges. We are committed to creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can build resilience, gain insight, and move toward lasting emotional well-being. Wherever you are in your journey, we are honored to walk alongside you.

College is supposed to be an exciting time, but sometimes it feels like you’re just trying to keep your head above water. Between classes, friendships, relationships, family expectations, work, and trying to figure out what you actually want for your future, it can be a lot. At Haven House Counseling Collective, we work with college students who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, stuck, or unsure of themselves. Maybe you’re constantly stressed, putting a lot of pressure on yourself, struggling with confidence, comparing yourself to everyone around you, or trying to balance everyone else’s expectations while figuring out your own. Therapy can be a space where you don’t have to have it all together. We’ll work together to better understand what you’re feeling, manage the stress and anxiety that comes with life, build confidence, set healthier boundaries, and navigate relationships and life transitions in a way that feels right for you. You don’t need to be in crisis to start therapy. Sometimes you just need a place to talk things out with someone who gets it. If you’re ready to feel less overwhelmed and more like yourself again, we’d love to help.

I received my master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. My post-graduate work focuses predominately on child welfare, specifically working with young children, young adolescents, and their families who have experienced trauma within their homes. I also have considerable experience working with numerous populations. It’s important to know that I’m passionate about helping people overcome barriers and recognizing their strengths while assisting them with life crises. The gift of effective communication and understanding is so important in helping others achieve positive outcomes. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.