Zoryana Kakhnovets

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina with a Master’s degree in Art in Mental Health from Webster University. Before becoming a counselor in the United States, I worked as a medical doctor and psychiatrist/psychotherapist in Ukraine for 10 years. My personal and professional journey has shaped the way I understand mental health—with compassion, curiosity, and a holistic perspective.

I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, grief, self-esteem concerns, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I believe you are more than a diagnosis or a difficult chapter in your life, and I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, respected, and understood.

My approach is warm, collaborative, holistic, and individualized. I draw from CBT, trauma-focused CBT, DBT-informed mindfulness, IFS, humanistic/person-centered, and existential approaches, choosing what best fits your needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all method.

I believe therapy should provide both understanding and meaningful change. We may explore where your patterns, emotions, and struggles come from while also developing practical tools to help you move forward. I will listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, gently challenge you when appropriate, and support you in building greater self-awareness, resilience, and confidence.

My goal is not to change who you are, but to help you better understand yourself and create a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about what you’re currently experiencing, what you hope to change, and what you would like support with.

You don’t need to prepare the “perfect” explanation or have everything figured out. I’ll guide the conversation with questions while giving you space to share at your own pace. We’ll begin identifying your goals and discussing how therapy can be most helpful for you.

Most importantly, I want you to leave your first session feeling heard, respected, and hopeful about the possibility of change. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we’ll work together to create an approach that feels right for you.