The natural beauty of white sand beaches makes living in Gulf Shores a real treat. The purity of the water and the overall joy that comes with enjoying the area helps to make it a very special place. You want to be able to embrace all of the beauty around you and to enjoy it for what it is, but depression mars your perception. When you are dealing with severe depression issues, even the most gorgeous examples of nature can appear to be dull and uninteresting.
This type of depression does not have to take over your life. You can reach out to Gulf Shores-area counselors to get the assistance that you need. Professionals counselors understand how difficult depression problems can be and they can speak to you about everything that is going on. Having a kind ally guide you towards healing can help you to reclaim the joy in your life. Speak to them today to work toward eliminating depression from your life.

Stephen Murphy
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. My experience includes clinical social work, risk management, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, case management, crisis intervention, advocacy, brokerage, education, and facilitation working with diverse groups of children, adolescents, and adults in medical social work, child welfare, mental health/chemical dependency, corrections, HIV/AIDS, and Veteran Affairs. While working with these clients, I have acquired necessary clinical skills relevant to culturally diverse practice and effective outcomes. I am a well-organized, highly motivated, and an energetic team player dedicated to meeting my clients where they are through both micro and macro level social work interventions. Working in Mental Health for over 12 years, I've learned that people are literally trying to put the pieces of their life together just to make it through the day. Being sensitive to this, I've developed my practice model around the following quote, "We're only as strong as our weakest link; therefore do your best to strengthen someone today!" My goal every day is to strengthen someone (self-included) in some area. Let's Live in Purpose so we can Win on Purpose!

Dr. Carmela Drake
I am a Certified Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Professional (CAADP), and a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor, level III (ACGC-III) in the state of Alabama. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alabama. I have worked in the field of addictions and mental health for over 20 years. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect and compassion. I provide a nonjudgmental zone and exercise the use of “person-first” language. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral and client-centered therapeutic approaches. I make use of motivational interviewing in most of my session, but am also well versed in other therapeutic styles of facilitating counseling sessions. My specialty area is co-occurring disorders with adolescents and young adults. I have since broadened my scope to focus on the mental health needs of student-athletes with emphasis on transitioning from high school competition to intercollegiate sports as well as the impact of transitioning to life after competition. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I am glad that you have taken the first step and look forward as you continue to move forward in your recovery/healing process.

Donda Goodson
My name is Donda Goodson and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama. I obtained my undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Vocational Rehabilitation and my Master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Rehabilitation Counseling. I received my counseling license in 1992 from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. The majority of my clinical experience is from mental health agencies and private practice. I have worked with clients ages 4 to 74 with various issues to include anger management, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, obsessive compulsive disorders, trauma and stress related disorders, individuals struggling to maintain sobriety, those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders and parents doing their best to parent but find themselves struggling and feeling frustrated. Through the utilization of client-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy, I work to help you work through obstacles and reach your personal goals.

Dr. Melissa Chovan
I am an individual and family therapist with 19 years of experience in this field and 13 years as a therapist. I have experience in many areas of mental health and family and social issues including, but not limited to: generalized anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, PTSD, parenting problems, domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma. I have some experience working with gender dysphoria. I have worked in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, at risk youth (alternative education and a residential program), therapy for child protective services cases, community mental health, state prison, private practice, and teaching (online and in person). I am working towards specializing in trauma. I have learned three different types of trauma therapies this past year (Brainspotting, CPT, and Accelerated Response Therapy) and am working on getting certified in all three. Each of these therapies has it's place in an individual's abiity to overcome trauma. However, I deal with more than just trauma and I have more tools (i.e., CBT, motivational interviewing, reality therapy, family systems therapy, and DBT - to name a few). My therapy style is warm, respectful and interactive. I believe therapy is individualized (every person is different with different needs) and the therapy styles. Hope, empowerment, a good relationship and education are things I feel are integral to a successful therapeutic experience. If you want to be heard, learn, and work towards bettering yourself, I am here to support and assist you in this endeavor. I look forward to meeting you.

Shannon Wise
I am licensed in Alabama with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, & anger management. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. My diverse experience in mental health includes working as a Therapist Acute for about 5 years with voluntary and involuntary clients hospitalized during a crisis needing stabilization to reintegrate into their daily life routines. I later worked as a Mental Health Professional for about 4 years in a correctional facility providing treatment team support for stress management, assessing client needs for referrals for medication, and interventions for safety precautions or assignments to special observation housing for those with chronic symptoms. I have recently worked over a year in private practice in the community serving adult and teen individuals, as well as couples. Triggers may vary between situational adjustment stressors, serious mental illness, personality, or substance abuse. I provide integrative guidance with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to assist clients with emotional regulation and conflict resolution I further utilize DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) to teach improved coping skills for relaxation, grounding and distress tolerance to avoid overreaction from poor impulse control when triggered, and utilize Reality Therapy for goal setting in order to provide healthy interventions for improved quality of life and personal growth. Setting goals together and reviewing and monitoring incremental progress renews hope and restores dreams of living life with passion and purpose Every individual has unique circumstances with universal needs of receiving validation and educating themselves to grow and become more self-aware to increase their empowerment to transform.

Deborah Gleason
I am licensed in the state of Alabama and the state of Illinois with over 6 years experience as a social worker. I am also certified as a Somatic Activated Healer under Sah D'Simone. I specialize in treatment for anxiety, lgbt-related issues, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I work to meet my clients where they are at and provided strategies if necessary. I have worked with teens in a group home setting to help them improve self esteem and maximize their potential in everyday life. I practice from a spiritual lens understanding that everyone has a divine purpose that can be tapped into at any time. I’m here to help support and empower you.

Victoria Scott
I have enjoyed working for various mental health agencies and have extensive experience in several areas of counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, in the states of Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Nevada. I have worked with individuals, couples, families and groups. I have worked with children as young as 4 to adults up to age 101! I have assisted clients who struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relational and self-esteem issues. I am a mother of seven, including a son on the autism spectrum. My counseling style is person-centered. I believe in treating everyone with respect and unconditional positive regard. I will devise a plan of treatment created specifically for you. My personal life experiences, in addition to my education and work history, help me to empower individuals to overcome difficult emotional obstacles. I know that asking for help can be difficult. Congratulations on taking that first step. I am looking forward to hearing from you and guiding you through the therapeutic process.

Carolyn White
Welcome! I provide virtual therapy in California, Virginia, and Alabama for anxious high-achievers and recovering perfectionists struggling with finding satisfaction in life, relationships, or work. I help you figure out what’s going on, let go of the panic, and feel more in control of your life by teaching you what to do with your feelings of anxiety, anger, and overwhelm. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. My approach is warm, compassionate and direct. The therapy process involves learning about yourself, recognizing your patterns, and actively working on making changes to meet your goals. I will make jokes, cheer your wins, listen to your pain, challenge you, and offer practical experiences to build your confidence as you create the life you want. I have over 14 years of specialized experiencing supporting active duty military, first responders, veterans, government professionals, engineers, financial analysts and contracting officers with their unique work-life challenges.

Larry Prentice
I am licensed in Alabama with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Ann Gould
I am licensed in Alabama with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with people ages 13 to 65. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Find a therapist serving clients in Alabama
What types of therapists are available to clients in Gulf Shores?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Gulf Shores that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Gulf Shores available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Gulf Shores therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Gulf Shores therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Gulf Shores region and in the state of Alabama.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Gulf Shores can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Gulf Shores may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Gulf Shores offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.