You have taken an important step in reaching out to support your emotional health. My name is Laura Ellington and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North and South Carolina with over twenty years experience in mental health counseling, integrated care and hospice. My approach is based on your needs. We will explore what led you to seek counseling, identify your personal goals and explore together how to meet those goals. You determine the path, my role is to accompany you on this journey as your supporter, advisor and advocate. We will use a strengths based, solution focused, wellness model of counseling. Learning new coping skills is an essential part of the process.. You will find that I am relentlessly focused on your strengths and abilities and offer suggestions about 'thinking out of the box' Coping with life changes, depression, anxiety, health conditions, social isolation, employment related stress, substance use, and other challenges affect every part of our lives. Finding solutions that work for you will bring opportunities for growth and a better quality of life. What is your dream?? How do you want your life to be different? Let's explore together!

Is something missing in your life? Do you feel like your relationships just aren't what they could be? Do you want to thrive instead of exist? Are you struggling to get started on a change or goal? You may feel stuck right now and may be looking for inspiration in making meaningful change. Or perhaps you already have goals in mind and would like support and structure to achieve those goals. I will work with you from beginning to end to identify and learn to use your internal strengths and external resources in moving forward. Leaning into your strengths allows you to naturally make positive changes and easily take action steps. You can learn to trust your own intuition and make decisions that move you toward your best life. Many people seek help from a professional, and they find that having an objective, knowledgeable person to talk with can prompt positive change. My job is to assist you in identifying the goal, discovering resources within yourself and your environment, and putting those resources to work for you. I offer individualized services to meet your needs, and I prefer to have some phone or video sessions in addition to text support. As a counselor and coach, I use my strengths of curiosity, honesty, and perspective to walk with my clients toward meaningful change. I see each client as capable and worthy of what brings joy into their lives. It's my desire to empower my clients to live their best, authentic lives. I approach counseling from the lens of positive psychology. This means being with you, the client, where you are; helping you to acknowledge what is working and not working; identifying strengths and values that are uniquely yours; using those strengths to develop well-being and a meaningful life; and achieving the goals you set for yourself. As a Certified Health and Wellness Coach, I also work with many clients to make positive changes in their health. I often incorporate Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT- commonly called "Tapping") into my therapy sessions. In case you're interested in the official pieces, I have worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a coach for over two decades, holding a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling from The Citadel and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. I am a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Certified MentorCoach. At this time, I generally offer live sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST. I of course respond to messages throughout the week. I look forward to speaking with you and helping you to live your best life!

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker, living in South Carolina, with 6 years of experience in the field. I have spent that time providing grief counseling and support to a diverse population of caregivers and family members in a hospice setting. During this time I have seen an array of clients with difficulties related to mental health and depression, burnout, life changes, aging parents, financial crisis, end of life planning and LGBTQIA+ issues. Some of my favorite tools include CBT, Narrative Therapy and Grief Counseling. Life is full of many different changes, losses and adjustments, and my goal is to assist others in processing those as they move forward on their own journey. Availability: M-F (9 AM-5 PM, EST) I check my messages often between these hours, and am committed to responding within 24 hours, during the work week. Please note that some evening time slots are available for Live Sessions, as I am aware that not everyone lives in my time zone. **Disclaimer** I am a mandated reporter, and am required to report any instance where a client has stated that they are a harm to themselves or others to the proper authorities. Better Help is not a platform for emergency use. If you feel that you are being physically threatened, are actively in an emergency situation, or are currently experiencing thoughts/intention to commit suicide, please call 911.

Starting or re-starting therapy can sometimes feel overwhelming – it takes courage to look at how you’re feeling or what you’re going through and decide to reach out to a therapist who can walk with you through challenging emotions, relationship dynamics, life changes, and personal goals. Maybe you’re not quite sure where to start, but you know you would like to explore what you’re feeling, your identity, or ways to continue to grow. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, I seek to create a safe, respectful space to embrace this vulnerable work. I believe our identities are shaped by our thoughts, feelings, relationships, trauma (from acute to generational), and systemic factors that impact our wellbeing. We carry the weight of our past and messages we receive in the words and actions of others every day. I will be a therapist who helps you examine your experiences, thoughts, and feelings in the context of relationships and society to understand yourself as you are and as you want to become. It is normal when doing this inner work to feel sadness, shame, or fear. Together, we can identify diverse coping skills rooted in cognitive, behavioral, dialectical, and emotion-focused therapies as we encounter these emotions. My goal as your therapist is to be present for you, to help you feel seen, heard, and recognize your inherent dignity and self-worth. My clinical areas of specialty are depression, anxiety, healing from trauma, burnout, identity development, chronic illness, and communication skills. My therapy style is warm, empathetic, client-centered, and trauma informed. My approach as a therapist echoes Robert Frost when he said, “The best way out is always through.” In my spare time, I enjoy listening to true crime podcasts and a wide range of music, watercolor, crochet, reading, the outdoors, and learning to cook new recipes. It is a privilege to connect with you and start this meaningful work.

Michelle is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in South Carolina and Connecticut as well as a certified yoga instructor who has over 25 years in the field of recovery, bereavement, and life transitions. Through getting to the heart of the issue, through kindness and compassion, through outside the box approaches I will help you get unstuck. Michelle works with individuals to build a new life- the one that is inside, calling to come out. Together, pragmatically and fueled with hope, we explore barriers and focus on moving forward- cultivating the life that you are meant to live! Clients have often comment, "you get it!" What a great feeling to finally be heard, understood, & know you're not alone. I'm a coach and counselor who walks the walk. I focus on the here and now and moving forward. We may look to clarify where the hurting comes from, but we don't stay there. We look ahead and build a new life! You are worthy and you are capable. Call or email for an appointment- early morning, evenings and weekends available.

I am licensed in South Carolina with over 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & parenting issues. 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.

I am licensed in South Carolina with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression and anxiety. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in South Carolina with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse & parenting issues. 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 North Carolina and South Carolina with 3 years of professional work experience as a therapist. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, identity struggles, confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My therapeutic approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Talk Therapy and Writing Therapy. I will tailor our dialog, treatment plan and therapeutic approach(es) 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 South Carolina with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, sleeping disorders, anger management, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.