Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy 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.

Luciana Smalls is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 7 years of experience in the mental health field. Luciana enjoys working with individuals, families, and couples dealing with stress, life challenges, grief, and communication challenges. She has diverse experience working with individuals and families with addiction, self-esteem, anxiety, foster care, kinship care, military families, medical challenges, stress, and time management. 

Luciana completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services at Springfield College, graduating with honors. She completed her Master of Science (MS) in Professional Mental Health Counseling at Webster University. 

Luciana has a mission to help individuals create a healthy lifestyle from utilizing community resources, learning tools, becoming adaptive, and using assertive communication. 

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. 

Mary E. Belk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in treating adolescents, adults, and seniors coping with difficult life transitions, relationship struggles, grief, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and behavioral concerns. She enjoys working with clients to uncover the root causes of their challenges and develop tailored strategies to overcome them. Mary has worked in settings including hospice care, nursing homes, hospitals, and community health clinics.

Mary graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master’s in Social Work. She uses evidence-based techniques and approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered interventions to help clients gain insight into their experiences, build resilience, and adopt healthy coping skills.

Mary is committed to being a trusted partner with her clients as they navigate their journey of healing and self-discovery. Through personalized treatment plans with objectives and interventions to meet each individual's goals, Mary looks forward to supporting you!

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.

Sarah Hudgins is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of South Carolina. She has experience in a variety of therapeutic environments including an intensive medical outpatient facility, a college counseling and substance abuse treatment center, and a private practice setting. Sarah specializes in providing individual and couples counseling for adults who are seeking help with anxiety, anger management, relationship issues, depression, stress management, assertiveness training, and self-esteem. 

In a non-judgmental, respectful atmosphere, Sarah thrives to assist clients along their journeys to living meaningful, more satisfying lives. Sarah encourages and facilitates clients to broaden their awareness of their thoughts, feelings, reactions, and behaviors. Sarah utilizes a cognitive-behavioral approach in therapy, along with solution-focused and motivational interviewing techniques, uniquely catered to individual goals and needs. 

Sarah strives to establish a trusting relationship where individual needs, experiences, and goals can be explored and worked on without fear. Sarah believes we each have the innate ability for personal development that is enhanced when we feel we are in a safe and supportive relationship. Sarah offers support, understanding, and guidance with the use of practical tools, to assist clients in meeting their desired goals for themselves, both personally and within relationships.

Leanee Marsh is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience in counseling and 6 years of experience as an educator. Her ideal clients are individuals and couples who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, struggle with self-worth, or are navigating the emotional complexities and adjustments in life. Her clients seek compassionate support to regain confidence, develop coping skills, and build a healthier, more balanced mindset. They grow within a safe, nonjudgmental space, where Leanee provides them with a supportive environment to explore their feelings and challenges, allowing them to flourish.

Leanee earned a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and is also a National Certified Counselor. Her counseling sessions incorporate mindfulness, motivational interviewing, coping skills development, and emotional regulation to help clients build resilience and self-awareness.

When you're ready to take the first step towards improving your well-being and personal growth, reaching out for support can make all the difference. Let's connect and begin your journey toward healing and empowerment because you deserve support that meets you where you are.

Jordan is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of South Carolina. She has experience working with individuals, families, and groups of all ages. Her experience includes outpatient mental health counseling, in-home, community, and school-based services. Jordan utilizes a variety of methods when working with clients, including person-centered therapy, solution focused therapy, play therapy, family systems, as well as other evidence-based treatments. Jordan strives to be creative in sessions, using play, art, and music to help in healing. She believes that every individual is unique and has their own path to success and happiness. Jordan aims to build a strong therapeutic alliance and create a safe environment that offers support and empowerment.