Therapy for Trauma, Relationships, and Everyday Life in North Carolina

Real healing. Rooted in nervous system safety, community, and honoring your lived experience.

At Journey Counseling PLLC, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy.

We meet you exactly where you are—whether that’s in survival mode, deep grief, burnout, relational wounds, or the long, slow process of rediscovering yourself.

We offer individual therapy for adults and teens, couples and family counseling, and group spaces that foster connection and healing.

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Individual Therapy for Adults & Adolescents

If you're carrying too much — emotionally, mentally, or physically — individual therapy can be a place to pause, exhale, and come back to yourself.

We work with adults, teens, and emerging adults across North Carolina who are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, identity questions, grief, faith transitions, and more. Whether you’re in survival mode, feeling disconnected, or ready to explore deeper patterns, we’ll meet you with warmth, curiosity, and care that respects your pace.

Common Focus Areas:

  • Trauma and complex PTSD

  • Religious/spiritual trauma or deconstruction

  • Anxiety, panic, and chronic stress

  • Depression and emotional fatigue

  • ADHD, Autism, and sensory processing differences

  • Grief and life after loss

  • Identity shifts and exploration (including LGBTQIA+ support)

  • Military/veteran readjustment

  • Burnout, people-pleasing, and perfectionism

  • Inner child and attachment wounds

Our Approach

We blend evidence-based tools with creative, relational, and body-based methods, including:

  • EMDR Therapy (in-person and online)

  • Somatic and mindfulness-based therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Art-based and expressive modalities

  • Inner bonding and values-aligned healing

You don’t need to show up with the right words or a clear goal. You just need a space that feels safe enough to begin. That’s what we offer.

Serving clients in-person in Gastonia and via secure telehealth throughout the state of North Carolina. We are in-network with Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare. For deeper work, Intensives are available as self-pay sessions—$225 for 90 minutes or $300 for 2 hours—offering extra time, breaks, and somatic work. Not covered by insurance.

Intake Appointment 60 mins $195 | Individual Therapy 55 mins $190

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Betrayal Trauma Recovery (Upon Individual Screening)

Betrayal trauma—whether from infidelity, spiritual abuse, emotional manipulation, or chronic boundary violations—leaves deep nervous system scars. It can shake your sense of self and safety in the world.

We offer individual support for betrayal trauma on a case-by-case basis, depending on our current capacity and clinical scope.

If you are navigating betrayal trauma, we will assess your current needs during a consultation and offer support, referral, or resources based on what feels most aligned for you.

60 mins |  $200  

Begin Your Journey – Book Now
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Couples & Family Therapy

Your relationships deserve more than quick fixes. We offer trauma-informed therapy for couples and families navigating disconnection, conflict, or big transitions. Whether you’re feeling stuck, preparing for commitment, or trying to parent through stress — therapy can help.

Who We Support:

  • Couples and partners feeling distant or overwhelmed

  • Families managing teen stress, transitions, or communication issues

  • Premarital couples wanting a strong foundation

Who Provides Care:

  • Isley Bell, LCMHCA – Couples & Family Therapy

  • Deborah Lee, LCSWA – Family Therapy & Parent Support

  • Rebecca Waters, LCMHC – Premarital Counseling Only

Mornings, evenings, and weekend appointments available- Click Here to Book Now!

55 mins |  $200  

Why couples and family therapy isn’t always covered: Some insurance plans only pay for these sessions if they’re tied to one person’s mental health diagnosis. But real relational work isn’t about treating one person — it’s about supporting the whole system. Labeling one partner or family member as “the problem” can feel unfair and limit what we can ethically address in therapy. That’s why we often offer this work as private pay — so we can focus on what really matters: your relationship, not a diagnosis. We offer a needs-based sliding scale through our FPG application to help make therapy more accessible.

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Educational Groups for Connection and Community

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation.

We offer intentional therapy groups designed to support clients in exploring identity, practicing vulnerability, and experiencing meaningful connection with others walking similar paths.

Groups are curated based on client need and may include:

  • Trauma recovery & nervous system regulation

  • Neurodivergent adult support

  • Faith deconstruction & spiritual abuse recovery

  • Emotional regulation & boundaries

  • Grief and transition processing

  • Women’s circles and self-worth

We limit group size to ensure safety and intimacy. Groups are open to current clients and, in some cases, the broader community.

Are you interested in joining our neurodivergent support group for adults? Click here to fill out the interest form.

90 mins |  $120 

We’re in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), and United Healthcare. As we continue onboarding new clinicians, some may be out-of-network for a short time. To ensure care is still accessible, we offer a sliding scale option during this transition so you don’t have to wait to begin your healing journey.