Find an Aetna therapist in Apex, NC
Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Apex, NC covered by Aetna
Top Aetna-covered therapists and psychiatrists in Apex, NC
Finding the right therapist in Apex is easier with Headway's Aetna network. With copays ranging from $0-$25, you can focus on your wellness while we handle insurance coverage and coordinate your care with experienced providers.
Hi, I’m Jamelia Shahid-EL a LCMHC and school counselor with 10+ years of experience. I offer affirming, down-to-earth therapy for children navigating anxiety, identity, burnout, and life transitions. My space is inclusive, trauma-informed, and rooted in care.
I have been in private practice for 20 years with my specialty focusing on individuals resolving historic traumas and women balancing all of the complications of womanhood in a fast paced, demanding world. My style is informed from my diverse experience. I have worked in adolescent residential treatment, FBI consulting, an expert witness and a graduate school professorship; all the while working with my private practice clients. In the last several years, I have been sought out as a corporate consultant and speaker to discuss how our negative experiences and traumas shape our behaviors as high intensity professionals.
The untapped magnificence I see in my clients never ceases to inspire and amaze me. Anyone who is willing to do hard work is already a gift to this World! I've grown bored of many things in my life but this work....never!
I earned my Master of Science Degrees in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as a Master's level certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2017. I use an eclectic therapeutic approach which is tailored to the individual needs of each client. I believe that counseling is a fundamental tool that we should all have access to. It is important for everyone to have the necessary tools to cope, manage, and work through life’s challenges. As long as you are willing to do the work, nothing is impossible.
In today’s world, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to slow down and make sense of what has brought you here.
We live with constant demands and expectations that our minds and bodies were never designed to sustain at such a rapid pace. Maybe you find yourself reacting from a place of overwhelm, becoming defensive without intending to, or pushing through exhaustion just to check the next box on an ever-growing list. Perhaps struggles from your past continue to show up in your present, leaving you wondering, “Why am I still dealing with this?” or “Shouldn’t I be over this by now?” If so, I want you to know that it doesn’t have to stay this way, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
I am a therapist, but I am also a person who has experienced hardship, loss, and self-criticism. I understand what it feels like to be stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. I partner with adults who are ready to heal from past wounds, deepen their self-understanding, and reconnect with themselves in meaningful ways.
Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, emotional reactivity, or feelings of disconnection and withdrawal. Together, we work to understand your nervous system, build practical regulation skills, and gently process painful or unresolved experiences. My approach is trauma-informed, somatic, and parts-based (IFS), integrating EMDR and traditional talk therapy to meet your unique needs.
Choosing to begin therapy takes courage, often more than people realize. While healing can be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding. Sometimes caring for yourself means doing difficult work now so that life feels more manageable later. I would be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.
I love working with people and helping them "grow" through the things of life that they "go" through. A quote that I love to share with clients and live by personally is to remember not to focus on your purpose but to live your life purposely. As a military social worker my background is specific to first responders, but most importantly individuals that are learning their new "normal" after traumatic life events that have unexpectedly shaped them.
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I help adolescents and adults who feel weighed down by trauma, anxiety, or depression—whether that comes from childhood abuse, military experiences, or the impact of a narcissistic parent, ex, or partner. I know how isolating that can be. In our work together, my priority is helping you feel truly seen, heard, and understood in a safe, confidential space where you can show up exactly as you are.
A defining part of my therapy work is that I provide highly-personalized psychotherapy services for each of my clients. With almost 7 years of experience, I have tailored my focus on trauma and complex trauma in adults. Whether we use EMDR or talk-therapy, it is my goal as a therapist to learn about your story, witness you in your present reality, and help you build a more hopeful future.
What type of therapy does Aetna cover?
Aetna plans can vary, but many cover a range of therapy types. Below are some common options that may be included in your coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Affordable care that fits you — and your Aetna plan
Headway makes it easy to get affordable in-network mental health care with Aetna — from finding the right therapist or psychiatrist, to understanding costs, to booking your first session.