Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Waco, TX

Recognizing the need for growth and change can feel intimidating, but taking that first step toward therapy shows courage and a willingness to invest in yourself. I create a warm, supportive space where clients can safely explore past and present experiences. Together, we work to understand patterns, emotions, and challenges that may be holding you back. I view therapy as a collaborative journey where we move at your pace while building insight, self-acceptance, and meaningful change. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths and move toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.

What I want my clients to know about me is that I genuinely believe therapy should feel like a space where you can exhale. Life can be overwhelming, and many people spend so much time trying to hold everything together that they rarely have a place where they feel fully seen, understood, and supported without judgment. My goal is to create that space for you.

I approach therapy with compassion, honesty, and collaboration. I don’t believe clients need to be “fixed.” I believe people often need support understanding themselves more deeply, healing from painful experiences, and learning healthier ways to navigate life, relationships, stress, and emotions. I work alongside my clients to help them reconnect with their values, build emotional resilience, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. (Headway)

My style is warm and supportive, but also practical. I want therapy to feel meaningful and useful, not like a place where you simply vent without growth. I often incorporate approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients recognize patterns that keep them stuck while building healthier coping skills and greater self-awareness.

I also understand how difficult it can be to ask for help in the first place. Many clients come into therapy carrying shame, self-doubt, anxiety, trauma, or the pressure of trying to meet everyone else’s expectations while neglecting their own needs. I strive to meet clients exactly where they are emotionally and help them feel safe enough to be honest about what they’re experiencing — even the parts they may have never shared out loud before.

You do not have to have everything figured out before you start. You simply have to be willing to show up as yourself, and we can work through the rest together.

https://care.headway.co/providers/alyssa-mccarley?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=181444

I am a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 13 years of healthcare experience specializing in men’s health, mental health, hormone optimization, and functional medicine. My approach combines evidence-based psychiatric care with a personalized, root-cause-focused perspective to help clients improve mood, resilience, focus, sleep, and overall well-being. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, burnout, and performance-related concerns in men. My goal is to provide high-quality, individualized care in a supportive, judgment-free environment where clients feel heard and empowered.

I believe therapy is a collaborative effort, and that, therapy works for those that work it. My ultimate goal is to assist clients in establishing attainable goals, and supporting them as they work to obtain improved functioning overall in their daily lives. I received both my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, and have been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2018.

Hi! I am Lauren, Licensed Professional Counselor. I Love what I do. I have been providing therapy for 15+ years in a variety of settings; inpatient hospitalization, outpatient group therapy & private practice. I work with symptoms of depression, anxiety, loss, relationship problems and those who are generally resistant to therapy. I count it as a blessing to walk beside those at their perceived worst... and at their very best. I am so glad you reached out, looking forward to the journey!