Cynthia Dupree

I'm Cynthia Dupree — a licensed clinical addiction specialist (LCAS), certified addiction counselor (ICAADC), and DOT-certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) with more than three decades of experience in recovery, mental health, and reentry support. I've worked alongside people at every stage of this journey — from those taking their first honest look at a substance use problem to those rebuilding after incarceration and trying to stay stable in a world that doesn't always make it easy. I've also co-authored a best-selling book on transformation and purpose, because I genuinely believe recovery is about more than just stopping — it's about building a life worth staying sober for. I offer telehealth therapy in North Carolina and accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Cigna, and Carelon. If you've been waiting for a therapist who specializes in exactly what you're dealing with — you're in the right place.

I won't hand you a worksheet and call it therapy. My approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed practices — but the real through-line is this: I meet you where you are, and we build from there. That might mean unpacking the roots of an addiction that nobody in your life understands. It might mean developing real-time anger regulation strategies you can actually use before things escalate. It might mean working through family conflict that keeps pulling you back into old patterns. Whatever it is, I'm direct about what I see, honest about what works, and committed to helping you build something that lasts. I work with adults navigating substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health challenges, anger management, family issues, and reentry after the justice system. I also provide DOT SAP evaluations and follow-up treatment for CDL and safety-sensitive employees.

Your first session is about getting a real picture of where you are and where you want to go — not a list of diagnoses or a generic intake form read aloud. We'll talk about what's brought you here, what you've tried before (and what hasn't worked), and what matters most to you right now. I'll ask honest questions, and I encourage you to do the same. By the end of the session, we'll have a personalized plan of care with clear goals, realistic timelines, and concrete next steps. You'll leave feeling like this was worth your time — because you'll know exactly what we're working toward and how we're going to get there together. Confidentiality is foundational here. What you share stays between us.