Our therapists offer counseling for anxiety & depression in Charleston, SC

Abdul is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who specializes in working with adults who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, bereavement, and substance use disorders. He helps them transform their lives by learning to think about their lives in new and less hurtful ways.

Abdul holds a master’s degree in social work from Howard University’s School of Social Work. Prior to getting his MSW, he was working at an outpatient community mental health center and working on getting certified as an addiction counselor. He employs a variety of techniques including psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, Socratic questioning, and unconditional positive regard. His treatment orientation is heavily influenced by rational emotive and cognitive approaches. Abdul always aims to help clients understand what they want from their lives and to motivate them to achieve those goals.

Abdul's practice is rooted in humanism, the belief that people are self-motivated to pursue their own happiness. He sees his role as a guide who can support you on your journey toward happiness. Abdul accepts that all people are unique, with unique biology, chemistry, life stories, and life goals all their own. He understands that not everyone gets the same start in life and that each of us is uniquely shaped by the challenges and opportunities we encounter in our families of origin, our communities, and our society at large.

Abdul's goal as a professional is to support you as you strive for happiness and help you identify challenges and develop skills to overcome them. Ultimately, he believes that each person he meets is on a quest, searching for a rewarding, meaningful, and fulfilling life. His role is simply to help you get to your destination. "Noted psychiatrist and addiction expert Gabor Maté said that only when compassion is present can healing truly take place. My goal is to be that compassionate presence in your life as you work to understand yourself, identify the source of your unhappiness, and work with you to discover the happiness and life satisfaction that you deserve," says Abdul.

Nicole Cook is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked in multiple school-based positions, hospital settings, and outpatient agencies. Nicole has experience working with all ages but is very passionate about helping adolescents and young adults work through challenges that arise during high school, college, and transitioning into the work world. She specializes in anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, motivation, focus/concentration, and life transitions.

Nicole completed her Master of Social Work at the University of South Carolina. The professional experience acquired through the years after working in mental health roles in different settings with great mentors and serving a diverse clientele, enables her to offer helpful guidance and support to her clients.

Nicole believes that you are the expert on your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take steps towards a change. Nicole enjoys supporting and empowering people on that journey.

Edward Johnsen is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 10 years of experience working in the mental health field. He is passionate about helping adults of all ages and backgrounds address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Edward specializes in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, men's issues, relationship issues, substance use disorders, and major life transitions.

Edward completed his Master of Arts (MA) degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology at The Citadel Graduate College. He has over 10 years of experience working in a variety of settings including a wilderness residential program, in-patient hospitals, and outpatient clinics. While knowledgeable of mental health treatments, Edward knows that you are the expert on you. He is committed to exploring your concerns together and coming up with a solution that you are most comfortable with.

Whatever challenges you may be facing, you do not have to face them alone. Edward is confident that he can help you gain new perspectives and techniques to support you on your journey. If you are ready to do the work, you will be amazed at how capable you are to tackle the obstacles ahead. Reach out and schedule an appointment with him today.

Adam Sachs is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally-Certified Counselor (LPC, NCC) with more than 6 years of experience. He works with adults, couples, families, and children age 12 and older who are experiencing problems related to depression, anxiety, AD/HD, anger, substance abuse, relationships, work, parenting, and stress management.

He especially likes working with people and couples who commit to their treatment and goals, show courage and persistence in their pursuit, and strive to see a big picture for their life and to feel fully alive.

You may recognize your feelings or problems. But you may have difficulty identifying the root causes. Adam will help you examine beneath the surface to gain more insight and clarity, promoting healing, change, and progress. He will create an environment of safety, trust, curiosity, and acceptance as you explore challenging emotions and issues, and foster your hopes and dreams.

Adam recognizes the courage it takes to acknowledge you are struggling and want help. He encourages you to take the step to make an initial appointment. He will consider it his honor to work with you. Adam will commit to doing his best to meet you where you are in your life and help set you on your path to where you want to go.

Nancy Lloyd is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in relationship issues, grief and loss, life transitions, depression, eating disorders, trauma, recovery from substance abuse, anxiety, gender issues, and symptom management for chronic problems. She has gained experience both in private practice and community mental health services after graduating from The Citadel Graduate College in 2010. Nancy primarily works with adults but has notable experience with adolescents and children when providing interventions for families. She also has a decade of experience as an Adjunct Psychology Instructor and has a passion for providing psychoeducational information as an important supplement to understanding ourselves and our brains.

Nancy is a general practitioner with the ability to provide evidence-based interventions (CBT, TFCBT, DBT, MI, REBT, ACT, or Crisis Intervention for instance) for a very wide scope of acute and chronic conditions. She’s able to accommodate clients who prefer more supportive services to simply process life situations or reach goals. Interested in learning skills to be more aware of your dreams? She’s had experience with that, too. She prioritizes a humanistic approach as a compassionate and non-judgmental foundation to support the alliance between her and her clients and encourage the best possible therapeutic outcomes.  

When someone feels genuinely understood, crisis will dissipate some and he or she can feel supported to make decisions or changes in a safe way… maybe even with a little humor and wit. Engagement in therapy is very sacred work that merits a soulful reverence for each client who decides to seek help. So, if you want a clinically-trained therapist who can also speak in terms of spiritual and personal growth from many philosophical perspectives effectively, give Nancy a try.

Elizabeth Philips is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Associate Counselor (LPC, LAC) who has over 7 years of experience working with adults suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress, family conflict, life transitions, grief, OCD, and more. 

Elizabeth utilizes an eclectic counseling approach, using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectal behavior therapy (DBT), and solutions-focused methods. She always seeks to accommodate every client's unique situation and set of needs. 

Elizabeth seeks to establish a caring and trusting relationship that puts you first and helps you find your direction and motivation to enact positive change. If you're ready to work together with Elizabeth to start making the transitions and decisions needed to live a healthier life, reach out to schedule your first session today.