Therapists in North Carolina

Hello, I’m Veronica McKay and I’ve spent the past thirty years as a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’ve worked in the United States and Germany. I recently retired but find that I still have the time and desire to help people looking for answers and guidance when life’s waters become turbulent.
 
 My experience ranges from treating children with emotional and developmental issues to assisting adults with issues of anxiety, depression and surviving the trauma of sexual assault. In 2008 I began working with the military, treating active duty military returning from combat and helping their families cope with and understand the soldiers’ struggles. I spent eleven years working with service members and military families facing all the problems that often accompany long family separations and combat tours, from PTSD to substance abuse to shifting domestic management stress.
 
 I have been trained and practiced in EMDR for treating PTSD, and in 2017 was trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. In my career I have worked as an on-call mental health evaluator for emergency behavioral health and substance abuse services. I currently work with several veteran’s organizations in continuing the work I did with active duty soldiers. I welcome the opportunity to work with you in identifying your personal goals and assisting you in the process of moving forward in your life. 
 


I began my working career as an elementary school teacher. Together, my students and I worked on academic goals. I soon noticed that learning issues of some of my students stemmed from relationship problems at home and at school. This effected learning behaviors often producing non-compliance, anger, depression, and anxiety for these children. These behaviors, sometimes with diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health issues, were usually not being addressed clinically and were taking a toll on their academic progress. I continued my education in counseling to better understand these learning barriers so that I could assist children and their parents. As I learned, I gained knowledge and skills to not only help children and parents, but also to help adults and families to navigate life’s problems and to attain their goals. Goals for the counseling process are associated with maintaining healthy relationships as well as adapting various changes that can produce a positive impact upon our lives. During therapy, my clients are made aware of the power they possess, how to dodge problems, how to accomplish goals, and how to perceive life in a positive manner. I now realize that I cared for my students more than for their academic progress. I cared about their personal well-being. I wanted them to feel productive and capable. I wanted them unencumbered by life’s problems but to have the resilience to overcome their deep seeded issues that affected their lives as a whole. I am interested most in sharing what I have learned to influence people reach their goals. It would be a privilege to assist you in this work.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been in the field of social work for over 10 years. In my career, I have worked with families and children as an advocate, case manager, and therapist. I know that therapy can be a scary step but I am here to help in your journey. I am here to help no matter where you are in the therapeutic process - whether this is your first time or you've seen others in the past. We will work on this journey together and move forward at your pace. Therapy can bring out all sorts of feelings, but we will get through them as they arise. My goal is to provide a safe and open environment for you to feel free to address anything that is on your mind. I strive to be nonjudgmental, caring, and compassionate. I believe the therapeutic relationship requires trust on both your end and mine. I look forward to working with you!!

Hello, my name is Toni Dobek. I have worked as a counselor for about 20 years. I have experience working with children to older adults and have conducted individual, couples, group and family therapy throughout my career. I am currently licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (# 11764). I consider myself a person-centered therapist meaning that I focus on providing an empathic, non-judgmental and safe place for individuals to share feelings. I work with individuals to accept who they are, take responsibility and identify his/her strengths to work through issues. I tend to use various counseling techniques to meet the specific needs of each individual. Some of the techniques that I have used are Cognitive-Behavioral, Gestalt Exercises, Anger Management, disability services, coping skills for Depression and anxiety and strategies for building self-esteem. I achieved my highest degree, which is a Master of Science Degree, specifically in Counselor Education from Syracuse University in May of 1999. Also, I completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University in 1993. I believe in advocating for others, and I am excited to use technology as a tool to reach out to you. I truly look forward to speaking with you and providing a positive support in your life.

I view my work as a therapist through a multicultural lens, and I customize my approach depending on the unique needs of every individual I work with. Many people have told me they’ve been frustrated by therapists in the past who sat quietly and provided very little feedback. In response, I’ve developed a forthright, solutions-oriented style of engaging with my clients that encourages them to set goals for themselves and empowers them to work toward them. I also have experience working with clients who prefer a softer, less structured approach, so I can customize the therapy experience to each person. I work well with people who want to channel negative experiences in a more positive direction. During my work in prison systems and in the military, I observed the many self-destructive behaviors that people use in an attempt to cope with difficult situations. I’ve helped people overcome a wide variety of addictive behaviors related to shopping, sex, substance abuse, eating disorders and more. I've also helped those who are experiencing the different stages of grief associated with loss. To change self-destructive behaviors, I believe that people must first change how they think. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist (CBT), I leverage the innate connections between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions to enact positive change. By encouraging my clients to question the truth of negative thoughts (such as “people are judging me” or “I’m such a failure”), I help them break out of painful patterns. I also help them focus on their strengths. Using positive psychology and motivational interviewing, I help my clients reframe their thoughts and view themselves in a more positive light. I encourage them to channel their anger, sadness, and other difficult emotions in a way that helps them overcome life’s challenges rather than becoming more deeply entrenched. I believe everyone has the strength to make positive changes. My goal is to help each person I work with cultivate the courage, resiliency, and potential that is already inside them.

I am licensed in Virginia and have several years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Texas with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in North Carolina with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in North Carolina with 32 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & anger management. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in North Carolina with 14 years of professional work experience. I have extensive experience working the military and veteran population. I have a background in substance abuse counseling and domestic violence. In general I believe that the first step to a successful counseling experience is the therapist/client connection and feeling as though you are heard and valued. Because of this belief it is important to me that we are a good fit. You are most successful when you feel well cared for. I will use a variety of modalities to help you identify where you are struggling and assist you in coming up with solutions for active change. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. It truly is an honor to be in your story.