Find a therapist in Sanford, NC — covered by insurance

Hello, I'm Devan! I have been working in the mental health field for over ten years now. I started my journey by working in direct care for at risk youth and adults with autism. Since getting my degree and license I have been working on developing my skills as an ACT therapist.

I’ve been practicing therapy for 25 years, which has included 12 years in NC and prior practice in both Kansas and New Mexico. I’ve worked in community mental health most of my career so I’ve had the opportunity to serve all ages and provide treatment for a huge variety of mental health concerns. I’m pretty down to Earth, open, honest, and genuine. I can be direct when needed to help bring awareness or light to a potential problem area while at the same time me providing support and encouragement. I enjoy hearing people’s life stories and helping individuals navigate their way through difficult life situations and problematic symptoms. No judgment, just a person available to help you find what you need.

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.

I am a Christian Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience walking alongside youth, adults, and families through the many chapters of life. My passion is to see every person connected to my work step into the fullest version of who God created them to be. I firmly believe in the power of His Word to remind us of our purpose, His plans, and the truth of how deeply we are loved.

It is my heart’s desire that each individual I serve experiences healing from the inside out. Restoring of peace, renewing of hope, and empowering them to shine their light everywhere they go.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, heard, and genuinely supported. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment where clients can show up as their authentic selves. My approach is compassionate, direct when needed, and focused on helping clients build practical tools for everyday life while also exploring deeper emotional patterns and experiences.

I enjoy working with individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem challenges, stress, identity exploration, and emotional overwhelm. I am passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC clients and creating an affirming therapeutic space where clients feel respected and understood.

I understand that starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and my goal is to meet clients where they are while helping them move toward healing, clarity, and meaningful growth.

“My professional background as a Registered Dietitian led me to recognize my strengths as a social scientist, with a deeper passion for listening, understanding, and counseling others. I graduated from Drexel University in my hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I went on to become dually licensed as both a Registered Dietitian and a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor after completing a two-year internship.”

I’m Dr. Pearson, and I draw on over 30 years of counseling experience helping individuals, couples, marriages, families, teens, children, and organizations work through life’s challenges. I support clients dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, anger, relationship issues, family conflict, addiction and alcohol concerns, military-related stress, and major life transitions. My background includes working with people across many stages of life, including active-duty military members, veterans, DoD staff, military families, couples preparing for marriage, families under stress, and individuals seeking healthier ways to live at home, at work, and in their relationships. I believe therapy should offer hope, practical support, and a clear path toward healthy change.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a unique educational background in Pre-Pharmacy and Bachelors of Science in Biology. This diverse educational background plays a role in my ability to encompass the mind, body, soul approach during therapy. I have a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, biopsychosocial assessments, and culturally competency care. I specialize in working with a wide range of populations, but particularly youth and families impacted by trauma. I have experience helping clients navigate complex medical needs, coping with negative emotional stressors, accessing resources, and overcoming the unexpected.

Please feel free to call me Sam. I'm originally from North Carolina and received my bachelor's degree in social work at Appalachian State. In 2022, I moved to Southwest Virginia and received my master's degree in social work from Radford University. Overall, I have 13 years of experience as a Social Worker in different capacities, including grief and loss, chronic illness, and burnout. My passion is working with adults and older adults navigating life changes.

I enjoy working with people who are interested in returning to the truth of who they are. I value people. Intuition is often within my work with people. I am honored to walk with people in their orientation to healing and health in the ways important to them. Harmony in mind, body, and spirit.

A holistic trauma informed approach with a culturally grounded orientation to care is my offering. I love to incorporate breath work and somatic work in with talk therapy all while centering values.

I respect the courage of getting to this point. It’s reasonable that we all would benefit from support so I am happy to walk you home to you, the truth of you that deserves liberation, healing and health because your life has value and I’m so glad you’re here. You deserve it all.