Darrian Pelkey

I'm Darrian Pelkey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate based in Wilmington, NC, and I work with adults navigating relationship challenges, trauma, anxiety, and depression — both as individuals and as couples. I'm trained in the Gottman Method, which means I bring a research-grounded, skills-based approach to couples work that goes beyond talking about your problems and actually helps you both feel differently. I'm known for being warm and direct — I genuinely enjoy helping people who are motivated to do the work, and I don't believe in dragging things out longer than necessary. My clients often describe sessions as unexpectedly practical: you leave with tools, not just insight.

My work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Attachment-Based therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing — but I'm not rigidly attached to any one model. I use what works for the person in front of me. For couples, I rely heavily on Gottman Method principles: building emotional attunement, breaking negative cycles, and helping partners actually feel heard rather than just heard at. For individuals dealing with trauma, I pace carefully and don't rush processing. For anxiety and depression, I tend to be active and skills-focused rather than open-ended. I meet clients where they are, and I adjust as we go.

Expect a real conversation — not a checklist. The first session is about me understanding what brought you in and what you actually want to change (not just what's wrong). I'll ask questions that might surprise you, and I'll be honest if I think I can help. By the end, you'll have a clear sense of how we'd work together and what to expect going forward. I offer both in-person sessions in Wilmington and telehealth for clients across North Carolina. If you're nervous about starting — that's completely normal, and I'll tell you the same thing I tell every new client: you don't have to have it figured out before you show up.