Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Gastonia, NC covered by Cigna

My name is Surayyah James, and I’m a board-certified nurse practitioner in psychiatry. Every person’s story matters, and I’m here to listen, support, and guide you as you work toward greater understanding and peace of mind. My practice is rooted in compassion and respect, offering a thoughtful blend of medication management, therapy, and mindfulness—all tailored to what truly works for you

My goal is to help you identify challenges, improve coping and determine the next steps toward meaningful, lasting change.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in various settings. I am dedicated to supporting clients by fostering a collaborative, trusting and empathetic environment.

Partner 1: “I reach for you, but it feels like you’re already gone.” I’m left wondering if I matter to you at all.” Partner 2: “When you come close, I feel the pressure to be perfect, so I pull back to protect us both.” These unspoken messages leave couples lonely and stuck. I help break this anxious–avoidant cycle so partners feel safe, seen, and deeply connected again.

“I don’t understand why I want closeness so badly, yet feel disappointed when I have it. Why do I feel lonelier than others, even when I’m not alone?” Or: “I care deeply, but people say I’m distant or hard to read. When emotions get intense, I shut down—not because I don’t feel, but because it feels like too much.”

These quiet tensions live beneath awareness for many people. Longing and self-protection pull in opposite directions. Needs feel confusing, emotions feel overwhelming or unsafe, and core beliefs quietly form—I’m too much, I’m not enough, connection costs me something.

I help people loosen these patterns, reconcile the Self with more truthful and adaptive beliefs, and move toward self-acceptance and interdependence—where connection no longer threatens safety, but deepens it.

After nine years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, I realized my deepest fulfillment came not from fixing systems, but from walking with people. Leaving the military was not a departure from service—it was a continuation of it. I pursued social work and theological training to better support people in their most important relationships. Today, my practice is devoted to couples counseling and trauma-informed care. Drawing primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, I help couples slow conflict, understand what drives disconnection, and emotional safety. As a veteran and seminary-trained therapist, I bring structure, compassion, and steady hope—meeting clients with respect, grace, and a belief in lasting change.

Hi, I'm Christian, a Licensed Clinician Social Worker, eldest daughter, and proud first-gen Latina.

I believe that most people have the answers within themselves to work through their own problems - my role is to help you unlock that inner wisdom. I have experience helping people who are struggling with anxiety and depression, or who are numbing out through substance use. My clients are often working through life transitions and other challenging situations, such as relationship issues, grief, or chronic pain. Perhaps you have not been handling your emotions very well. You may even feel hopeless, or unsure how to articulate what you are feeling. Therapy is a collaborative journey to a more healthy state of mind.

Hey hey! My name is Madison and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate in the State of NC. I received my Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC - Greensboro and my Master in Social Work from North Carolina Central University. I have a passion to work with adolescents and young adults, who aspire to be seen, heard, and ready to do the work towards a better self. As a previous teenager and as a young adult, I empathize with so many lived experiences that take place during these stages of development.

My path to becoming a therapist is rooted in lived experience. Claiming joy and authenticity—as a sober, trans, kinky, non-monogamous, bisexual person—has taken time, intention, and community. I’ve moved through fear, people-pleasing, relapse, and grief, and found healing in therapy and holistic recovery spaces that reminded me who I was when I couldn’t see it myself.

I believe we’re all doing our best with the tools we have, and that therapy can offer space to build new ones—tools for feeling more, hiding less, and showing up in ways that feel true. My style is collaborative, steady, and grounded in care that doesn’t shy away from depth.

I earned my MSW from Columbia University in 2015 and began my career in home-based family therapy at NY Foundling. I later supported LGBTQIA+ youth at the LGBT Center and joined Dulcinea Pitagora’s group practice before founding my own. I continue to offer clinical supervision to social work interns at the LGBT Center.

After 11 years in NYC, I moved to the Hudson Valley to live among trees, rescue dogs, and small-town queer community. Outside of session, I’m often on a trail, on my yoga mat, or watching the birds from my porch.

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the state of North Carolina. I have experience working with borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, chronic illness, and life transitions. I use a blend of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and solution-focused techniques to support your specific needs; whether that’s managing emotional intensity, reducing self-destructive patterns, or finding stability.

Healing may not be linear, and may even be a little messy, but it is possible- I invite you to reach out when you’re ready to take that next step.

Life has been very stressful lately. I've spoken with hundreds of people recently who are feeling at least a little stressed or down. Most people I talk with wait a long time before getting into therapy. Why continue to wait? Do you want to have a better relationship with anxiety? Are your anxious or self-critical thoughts keeping you down? Are you ready to try something new? I use a holistic approach with several research-based interventions including CBT, Heart Math, and Solution-Focused Therapy,

I earned a Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling from Wright State University in 2007. I have been practicing Mental Health Counseling for 18 years and have worked in several different settings including outpatient therapy, mobile crisis, employee assistance, department of defense, veterans and private practice.

Together, we will develop a comprehensive plan so that you can get the tools you need to help you reach your goals. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and for that I appreciate you. Please contact me to see if we're a good fit.