

Mental health care in Gastonia is accessible through Headway's 2,736 licensed providers serving communities like Crowders Mountain, Ozark, and central Gastonia. Sessions are available virtually or in-person, with many patients paying as low as $0 per session through insurance coverage.
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.
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.
I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, while also providing practical tools that clients can apply in their daily lives. I strive to create a space where individuals feel comfortable exploring difficult emotions, relationship challenges, life transitions, anxiety, trauma, stress, and personal growth at their own pace.
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
**** I take BCBS, Aetna, & Cigna****
Hi, I’m Megan. I’m really glad you’re here. I’m a licensed therapist who cares deeply about helping people feel more grounded, understood, and connected to themselves again. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, grieving, or just trying to make sense of things, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I show up with compassion, curiosity, and a pace that meets you where you are.
I work with people navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, life transitions, and the quiet heaviness that builds over time. My goal is to create a space where you can be fully yourself, even when life feels messy, uncertain, or heavier than you expected.
I received my Master of Social Work from East Carolina University and have been practicing as a therapist for 11 years. I believe the foundation of effective therapy lies in a strong therapeutic relationship- one built on trust, openness, and authenticity. I am known for my open-minded, nonjudgmental, and creative approach, helping my clients feel understood and supported as we work together toward growth and healing.
Therapy and the journey to self-exploration can be hard. Together, we can navigate your path toward improved mental health and emotional well-being. My approach is solution-focused, centered on the immediate obstacles you are facing. While how you got here matters, what you choose to do next can have an even greater impact. As a clinical social worker with experience across private practice, hospital social work, parenting education, and community care, I bring a broad range of experience to support us in working through challenges together.
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.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right therapist in Gastonia starts with getting clear on what you need. Consider whether you're looking for help with a specific concern — such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship challenges — or broader support during a life transition. Gastonia-area providers offer a range of approaches, from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to couples counseling and family therapy. Knowing what matters most to you, whether that's a provider's specialty, session format, or location, can help you build a shortlist faster.
It also helps to look for a licensed provider with experience relevant to your goals. Licensed therapists in North Carolina may hold credentials such as LCMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC, and psychiatrists can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. Reading a provider's bio before booking gives you a sense of their style, background, and what to expect in a first session.
Therapy in Gastonia can be expensive without coverage, but affordable options exist when you use in-network insurance benefits. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs before you book, and many patients pay as low as $0 per visit. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, making it easier to find a provider who matches your needs and your budget.
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