tracy perez, ms, lcmhc
About Me
I provide an integrative approach that focuses on the whole person utilizing cognitive, experiential,
somatic, and mindful practices. Whether it is trauma weighing you down, grief, career transitions,
relationship issues, or sexual dissatisfaction, I am here to lend a compassionate ear. We can navigate
toward the best version of you and where you want to be in life. I offer therapy to individuals, couples,
and teens. Specializations include anxiety, relationship issues, and life transitions.
Sometimes you need an advocate that is there for you. Friends and family don’t always understand. Or
maybe they are not safe to talk to about what is bothering you. That’s where I come in. I provide a
sound space for you to discuss your deepest feelings and worries.
I invite you to take the next step in finding mental wellness. I provide a non-judgmental space that
imparts respect and a willingness to help you grow and evolve.
Education, Certifications, and Memberships
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and hold a Master of Science degree from
Hodges University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from High Point University. In addition, I
am a Certified Meditation Practitioner and Life Coach. I am a member of the American Association of
Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and a member of the North Carolina
Counseling Association (NCCA).
Christine Marro, MA, LPA
About Me
I specialize in individualized psychological and educational evaluations with children and adolescents regarding learning disabilities, attention / executive functioning, ADHD, intellectual and gifted assessments, emotional and behavioral health, early entry to kindergarten, developmental disabilities, social skills, and autism, as well as parent and teacher workshops, and parent advocacy in navigating IEP and 504 processes. My approach is collaborative, partnering with families, educators, and schools to promote recognition of your child’s strengths and understanding of their challenges.
As a military spouse, I also understand the unique challenges that come with frequent moves, deployments, and transitions for children and families. This perspective allows me to bring additional empathy and insight to the work I do with military-connected students in our community.
I strive to create a space where families feel supported and empowered, and where
professional assessments lead to clear, practical recommendations. I believe every
child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that
understands and celebrates them.
Career
I am a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in North Carolina and a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction School Psychologist with a master’s degree from the University of West Florida. I have more than 20 years of experience supporting children and adolescents in public, private, and charter school settings.
Education & Affiliations
I am listed on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Traumatic Brain Injury Registry of Approved Providers and maintain active membership in the North Carolina Psychological Association (NCPA), the North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
My Website
Bobbi pate, lcmhc, rpt
About Me
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist with 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She has worked in a variety of counseling settings and has spent the past six years working with active-duty Marines, Sailors and their families who have experienced domestic violence or child abuse issues. Prior to that, I worked with providers in the community and provided Intensive In-Home Family services to families with children struggling with behavioral and mental health issues.
Play Therapy
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling. I have expertise and additional training in the treatment of childhood issues, such as anxiety, trauma, sensory issues and sexual abuse. I also have training in Triple P- Positive Parenting Program, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). I have focused interests in working with young children, children with anxiety and sensory issues. Bobbi is in the process of training her pet dog to be a service dog to help in sessions.
Maria Donaty-Gurba, mSW, LCSW, LCAS, Rn, RYT
Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Counseling
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, a Registered Nurse, a Duke Certified Integrative Health Coach and a level II iRest Yoga Nidra practitioner. I have worked in the Healthcare field for 25+ years, now providing compassionate psychotherapy to help you find peace & happiness.
Specializations
I am trained in many evidence-based, empirically supported therapeutic modalities to include Gottman Couples Therapy, Discernment Counseling, EMDR/Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMI/Eye Movement Integration, TRM/Trauma Resiliency Model, Ego States, CBT/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Ericksonian Hypnosis, i-Rest Yoga Nidra, & Solution Focused Therapy to name a few. Additionally l trained in Mindfulness and Meditative based modalities.
Individualized & Integrative therapy
Psychotherapy i.e Therapy or counseling is a collaborative process ... a partnership with a HOLISTIC APPROACH. You have identified the need for help & have courageously taken the first steps of making & keeping your first appointment. My job is to provide a safe, confidential relationship in which you can explore your concerns & hopes , as well as to help you grow with integrity in your relationships with others and yourself. Integrative therapy is a progressive form of psychotherapy that combines a variety of therapeutic tools & approaches to fit your individual needs. With an understanding of normal human development, an integrative therapist modifies standard treatments to fill in developmental gaps that affect each client in different ways. By combining elements drawn from different schools of psychological theory and research, integrative therapy becomes a more flexible and inclusive approach to treatment than more traditional, singular forms of psychotherapy.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling is talking , listening, understanding & learning. You & your partner, along with your therapist will talk about your problems, together we will learn how to deal with these problems. We will learn more about your partner & how to help them by giving them the love they need in the way that they need it. In return, you will learn about what you need in your relationship & then communicate that to your partner, so that you both feel heard , connected , loved & validated. I utilize Discernment Counseling, the Gottman Method as an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couples relationship & integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory, AND Emotion Focused Therapy developed by Sue Johnson.
EMDR & Trauma Treatment
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences and optimize your mental health and wellbeing. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. Additionally, I utilize other approaches in conjunction with EMDR, such as Ego States/IFS, Mindfulness, Yoga Nidra , and Somatic Integration dependent on the individuals needs.
Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga Nidra
iRest is a meditation practice based on the ancient tradition of Yoga Nidra and adapted to suit the conditions of modern life. When practiced regularly - a little and often - iRest enables you to meet each moment of your life with unshakable peace and wellbeing, no matter how challenging or difficult your situation.
Integrative Health Coaching
Integrative Health Coaching (IHC) empowers you to make lasting health behavior changes that are the cornerstones of lifelong well-being in both your physical and mental health. It bridges the gap between medical recommendations and your abilities to successfully implement those recommendations into your complex life. Integrative health coaches work with the whole person, take time to listen to your concerns, and ask powerful questions to help motivate you to make changes.
- Coaches utilize the Duke Integrative Medicine Wheel of Health to facilitate inquiry and personal discovery.
- Coaching helps facilitate behavior change in a structured, supportive partnership between you and your coach.
- Coaches can help you to identify obstacles to change and create strategies for forward movement.
- Coaches provide additional resources for making healthy behavior changes.
- Sessions can take place over the telephone, or in person
My Website: https://ipwcounseling.com
carissa marsh, Phd, psychologist
About Me
I have 10 years of experience doing psychological testing in public schools and private mental health facilities. Completing a psychological assessment will help identify and clarify mental health disorders, and give you insights about yourself or your child. Results will inform ideas to move forward with treatment, gain self-acceptance, and find resources.
I use a variety of methods, such as a thorough interview, records review, behavior rating scales, and standardized tests, to help determine if a person meets criteria for a mental health disorder.
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Depressive, Anxiety, and Trauma-Related Disorders
- Behavioral, Impulsive, and Disruptive Disorders
- Learning Disabilities
Education, Certifications, and Memberships
I attended University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and obtained my doctorate in Educational Psychology, with a specialty in School Psychology. There I learned to conduct psychological assessments to help determine the strengths and needs of children, as well as the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. I moved to North Carolina in 2010 and began working for Onslow County Schools. In order to broaden my skills and experience, I transitioned to working in a private mental health practice in the community. There, I received training and supervision in working with adults to complete psychological testing and provide cognitive behavior therapy.
My website: www.insight-pa.com
linda arrington, msw, lcsw
About Me
I specialize in treating individuals aged 16 and up with Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Physical, Emotional, and or Sexual Abuse. As your therapist, it is my job to create a warm, safe, and non-judgmental atmosphere.
I take a trauma-informed approach to addressing clients' thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that keep them stuck. I acknowledge that there is no one size fits all therapy, and each client needs to be recognized as an individual.
Education, Certifications, and Memberships
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's degree from Simmons University. In addition, I am trained in evidence-based therapies: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Humanistic therapy.
Sheila Marano, msn, pmhnp-bc, fnp-c
About Me
I am a dual licensed and board-certified Family & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who offers medication management, supportive talk therapy, and holistic care to persons as they navigate challenges. Taking the first step to care for your mental health can be a challenge.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
My training and clinical experience in the medical and mental health sectors in the last 16 years have allowed me to provide integrative care of the whole person and not the diagnosis. Medications can be an aid in treating target symptoms. My approach includes the fundamental concept of healing the mind-body connection and understanding how the dynamics between them are causing the stressful symptoms, and not basing care on a diagnosis. Knowing how to treat medical health issues and the active role they have in mental health stressors is essential for providing comprehensive & integrative care for a person. The synergism between utilizing best-practice medication management and talk therapy for target symptoms helps develop neuroplasticity & healing in your brain for a stronger foundation.
SPECIALIZATION
I offer in-person or virtual sessions for treating target symptoms of: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Panic Disorder, Mood Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Adolescent Treatment (ages +13), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Veteran Mental Health Care, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorders, Life Coaching, Eating disorders, Hormonal-related mental health issues, and more.
I am available for sessions early mornings and on Sundays by appointment in-person or virtually.
Website and Contact
https://safelandingwellnesscenter.com or contact my direct office line by phone or secure messaging at: (252) 594-3457, or you can email me at: admin@safelanding.sprucecare.com
Virginia Diaz, MA, LMFT, LCMHCs, AAMFT Approved supervisor
About Me
SPECIALIZATION
Integrative mental health dedicated to supporting the whole person – mind, body, spirit – treating a spectrum of mental health issues and specialization in treating trauma, to include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and military family issues. Inspired by a vision to provide specialized, collaborative, and highly personalized care for those who are struggling from the impact of loss, change, betrayal, trauma, family/marital conflict, feeling “angry all the time”, or simply “stressed out and overwhelmed”.
I offer supportive counseling that identifies and builds on strengths, encourages growth, supports change, and teaches skills treating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, marital distress/conflict, and couples and families. I work with people who are struggling to create and maintain boundaries; experiencing communication difficulties; and feeling "disconnected", "angry" all the time, "stressed out" and "overwhelmed" with life. I view the recovery/healing process from bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective,
Sessions are a collaborative and safe space to heal from mood and relationship struggles along with difficult life experiences, anxiety and depressive issues that have kept you stuck, quarter-life or midlife crisis issues, compulsive behaviors, procrastination and dissatisfaction, life transitions, trauma and more. This is a valuable investment to help you discover new and sustaining ways to respond differently to pain and discomfort while improving your relationships with yourself and others.
TRAINING
I am trained in viewing distress from a systems perspective. Through this lens, clients can develop a deeper understanding of their unique family of origin; boundaries; the function of anxiety, related emotions and much more. When a family member is struggling, the rest of the family often struggles, too. I am an integrative experiential/strategic family system therapist, and a AAMFT Approved Supervisor and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor.
I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for trauma treatment, and Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) for OCD.
Often, symptoms such as anxiety, depression, excessive guilt, low self-esteem, and compulsive behaviors, among others, are rooted in distressing experiences that have led to feeling “stuck”, struggling to process our feelings, and making us vulnerable to their influence in the present. Working through those experiences in a compassionate and respectful way can free you up for much greater calm and confidence in life.
I am a Marine veteran and a retired Marine spouse, skilled in treating veterans, active-duty military service members, and their families for combat and service-related mental health and family issues and first responders and their families.