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Discover how starting teen counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
10 therapists available in Charlotte
As a counselor with over 20 years of experience and as a person who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I am passionate abo...
About
As a counselor with over 20 years of experience and as a person who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I am passionate about helping others reach their goals as they work toward increased mental and emotional well-being.
I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) with 28 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, college students, adults, and couples. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral concerns, and relationship challenges. I strive to create a supportive, affirming environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their healing journey.
I earned my master’s degree in agency and community counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University. My clinical approach is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy, helping clients understand how thoughts and behaviors influence emotions while building insight, resilience, and meaningful change.
I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, validated, and genuinely understood. I will walk alongside you as you explore your experiences, develop effective coping skills, and work toward your personal goals. Seeking counseling is a powerful step forward, and I welcome the opportunity to support you on that path.
Education and training
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As a woman, mother, and spouse who has experienced many life challenges and transitions, I offer an understanding and exploration ...
As a woman, mother, and spouse who has experienced many life challenges and transitions, I offer an understanding and exploration in being the best you can be.
Ava Baker is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 8 years of experience working with diverse populations. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, autism spectrum disorder, self-esteem issues, and family/parenting issues. Before becoming a counselor, Ava spent 28 years as an elementary school teacher. She has worked with individuals, couples, and families in settings including the juvenile justice system, school-based therapy, and community health. Ava’s professional and personal experiences enable her to support and guide clients in dealing with life stressors.
Ava has a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She utilizes a wide range of therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy. Ava recognizes that change comes from within and employs a client-centered approach to treatment.
Ava believes that the challenges and struggles we face can help us grow and that everyone can develop the skills to have a healthy and fulfilling life. She encourages her clients to live today, plan for tomorrow, and love themselves so that they can shine. Schedule an appointment today!
I desire to support others impacted by unique challenges and to be a resource for those in need of developing effective responses ...
I desire to support others impacted by unique challenges and to be a resource for those in need of developing effective responses in cognition, emotion, and behavior to overcome life circumstances and achieve optimal functioning.
I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) with over 20 years of experience providing therapeutic services to adults, adolescents, children, and families. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment concerns, grief and loss, adjustment challenges, and personality-related concerns. I am passionate about supporting diverse populations and helping clients build resilience, insight, and emotional balance.
I earned my master’s degree in clinical counseling from Webster University. My approach is evidence-based and trauma-informed, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and eco-systemic family therapy. I focus on building therapeutic rapport while supporting meaningful, sustainable change.
Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but therapy can help you develop awareness, effective coping strategies, and renewed confidence. I provide a compassionate, supportive space where you can explore your experiences, strengthen skills, and move toward personal growth and improved well-being. I look forward to supporting you on your healing journey.
As a young woman in today's society, I understand life’s unique issues. I have personal experience with grief and loss and can und...
As a young woman in today's society, I understand life’s unique issues. I have personal experience with grief and loss and can understand the lasting impact they have.
Victoria Smith is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience working with clients with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, loss/grief, addiction, academic stress, everyday life stressors, and legal concerns. She prioritizes a collaborative approach with clients to help them reach their goals and see issues in their lives as things to be solved, not problems holding them back.
Victoria has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Mount Olive. As therapy is not one-size-fits-all, she uses varying techniques based on client needs. These may include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness methods.
Victoria believes in building a strong foundation of trust with clients to allow for a greater understanding of one another that will lead to change. She strives to create a safe space where you can express all feelings without fear of judgment. Victoria looks forward to partnering with you as you walk through this journey.
I approach therapy with empathy, openness, and a deep respect for each person's unique experiences to support you in exploring you...
I approach therapy with empathy, openness, and a deep respect for each person's unique experiences to support you in exploring your challenges, strengths, and goals at your own pace.
John Pruett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience. John's previous experiences have included work with families in crisis, clients struggling with addiction, and a variety of mental health diagnoses. His main focuses have been helping people dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and those who struggle with substance abuse. John has worked with a diverse population, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
John received his Master's in Social Work from East Tennessee State University and is also a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. John's approach to therapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, and dialectical behavior therapy.
John encourages you to reach out for an open and honest conversation to support your healing journey and personal growth. Schedule an appointment today!
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people in teen counseling is CBT. I prefer CBT because it helps the client address goals and consider thoughts, feelings, and experiences that support desired behaviors.
I teach the following tools in teen counseling:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling when they're excited about the therapeutic relationship and commitment to recovery.
Clients can supplement their time in teen counseling with sports and other activities that keep them grounded and conscious of current behaviors.
To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen can realize they don't have to have negative behavior to come to counseling, just the desire to talk things out in a neutral, non-judgmental environment and the freedom to speak candidly about any situation.
Teen counseling helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst teens include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and problematic relationships with food.
Teen counseling works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the teen’s unique needs — based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks teen therapists in Charlotte have the expertise and experience to help young individuals at their level.
Signs that teens might need Teen counseling can be very subjective, as they are experiencing many changes and can have intense reactions to them. As parents, you know your child best and are best equipped to judge whether certain reactions are standard behaviors for your teen or whether they might be hinting at a larger problem. Even so, there are a few common signs and events that often point to a need for therapy, such as experiencing divorce or loss, grief, consistent low moods, teens distancing themselves and becoming isolated, losing interest in hobbies, excessive anger or irritability, substance use issues, and suicidal ideation, among others.
Teen counseling providers at Thriveworks in Charlotte, NC offer both in person and online therapy by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of teen counseling depends on your teen’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, teen counseling sessions will last for several months.
Snuggling and playing with blocks turns into slammed doors and arguments over curfews. Often, this is a normal part of growing up. But at other times, the intensity of the pain and tension becomes overwhelming for you, your teenager, or both.
When this happens, a Thriveworks Charlotte counselor can help you and your child or teenager rebuild your relationship.
Maybe your teen has experienced a serious trauma, such as a death, assault, or abuse. Or your teenager may just need a little help and guidance on the road to adulthood—perhaps they might be hanging out with the wrong crowd, losing interest in things they once loved, and becoming secretive.
Your teenager might just need a trusted confidant to help him or her work out their emotions and feelings. Adolescence can be a difficult time, and Thriveworks Charlotte counselors can help make the road a little less bumpy.
Counseling for teenagers and adults is very similar, concerning the situations particular to teenagers. During the first session, a Thriveworks Charlotte counselor will focus on getting to know your teenager.
We’re genuinely interested in their interests, their passions, their goals. We want to know who your child is and who they want to become.
Within that, we’ll work with them to determine what struggles they’re currently experiencing and help them learn skills to manage and overcome those struggles healthily.
As with counseling for adults, what your teenager discusses is often confidential but can be —something that’s very important to teenagers, who are often dealing with self-consciousness related to who they are,
Some teenagers do need counseling. Teenagers today experience many of the same things that cause problems for adults, but they often don’t yet have the maturity and experience to put them in perspective.
Being a teenager is difficult. Incredibly difficult. At Thriveworks Charlotte, counselors are prepared to build a professional, trusting relationship with your teenager to help them learn skills that will help them toward a positive, healthy adulthood.
At Thriveworks Charlotte, we do not operate with a waiting list. We have appointments available for new clients within a week of their first call. We have licensed professionals standing by, ready to put their expertise to work.
Call us today or schedule online to find the teen counselor that your child deserves.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Child Therapy Charlotte is near the corner of Park Road and Woodlawn Road. We are across the street from Starbucks and Exxon. Sharonview Federal Credit Union is the building next to our office.
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