Welcome to Creative Counseling & Learning Solutions!
We're here to help you through life's ups and downs, boost your emotional well-being, and really improve your overall quality of life. We know it takes courage to reach out for support, and our team of skilled, empathetic, and caring counselors is ready to give you personalized care that truly fits your unique situation.
We believe in a holistic approach to mental health. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma related concerns, relationship issues, or just looking to grow personally, we offer a wide range of therapies. These are all designed to support you on your individual journey toward healing, self-discovery, and lasting well-being.
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What We Promise You:
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Personalized Care Plans: No two people are the same, and we get that! Our counselors work with you to create a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific concerns, goals, and what you're comfortable with.
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Experienced and Caring Team: Our therapists are licensed professionals with lots of experience in different areas of mental health. Our clinical interns are in their last year of their Graduate School Programs and under the direct supervision of our Clinical Directors and their University Internship Supervisors. We are all committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space where you can share your thoughts and feelings openly.
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Evidence-Based Approaches: We use therapy techniques that are backed by research and proven to help you achieve positive mental health outcomes. This includes things like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and person-centered therapy, just to name a few.
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Confidential and Secure Environment: Your privacy is super important to us. All sessions are kept confidential, following the highest ethical and professional standards.
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Focus on Empowerment: Ultimately, we want to give you the tools, strategies, and insights you need to manage challenges on your own, build resilience, and live a more fulfilling life.
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Common Reasons for Seeking Counseling:
We offer individual, couples, and family counseling for a wide variety of mental health concerns, including:
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Anxiety Disorders: Like generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and phobias.
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Mood Disorders: Such as depression and bipolar disorder.
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Trauma and PTSD: Helping you process past traumatic experiences and develop coping mechanisms.
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Stress Management: Techniques to reduce stress and build coping skills.
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Relationship Concerns: From communication difficulties and conflict resolution to pre-marital counseling and divorce support.
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Neurodivergence: Compassionate outpatient counseling designed for neurodivergent individuals, offering support for unique challenges and fostering personal growth.
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Parenting Related Challenges: Our experienced therapists provide a safe space to address behavioral issues, communication, co-parenting, and skill development, empowering you to build healthier family relationships and a nurturing home environment.
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Grief and Loss: Navigating the tough emotions that come with loss.
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Life Transitions: Support during big life changes like career shifts, moving, or retirement.
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Self-Esteem and Confidence Building: Boosting your self-worth and assertiveness.
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Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: Exploring your personal values, setting goals, and gaining a better understanding of yourself.​
We invite you to see how our specialized services can truly empower you to reach your mental health goals and start on a path toward lasting emotional well-being. Your journey to a healthier, happier you starts right here!
Meet The Team
Therapists
Dr. Laura Harbeson, PhD, LCMHCS
Executive Clinical Director /
Lead Therapist
After completing her Masters of Counseling in 2007, Laura worked endlessly to grow and officially launch Creative Counseling in 2009. With her passion to help victims of complex trauma and domestic violence, Laura has worked closely with multiple advocacy centers, shelters, and government agencies. In 2018, Laura received her PhD in General Psychology and we are so proud to have her as our Executive Director!
Secily Nichols, MA, LCMHC, NCC
Assistant Clinical Director/Therapist
Secily received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from UNC Chapel Hill and completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She began her career in the classroom and has been working with children and teens in various roles since 2003. Her approach to counseling is holistic, client-centered, and collaborative. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Outside the counseling office, you might find Secily spending time with family and friends, reading, baking, hiking, or playing with her dog, Harper.
Krista Peterson, MA, LCMHCA
Assistant Clinical Director/Therapist
Krista received her bachelor's degree in horticulture science and landscape design from North Carolina State University and completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Through her own life experiences, Krista discovered her calling to help other people navigate through their unique experiences as well. She has a strong passion for children, adolescents, and adults of all ages who have experienced trauma in the past or currently in the middle of their traumas. She hopes to provide genuine, empathetic, and collaborative support no matter the difficulty the client is facing and to achieve the mental wellbeing goals the client is after. Outside of work you can find Krista spending time with her 2 children, sewing, gardening, baking sourdough, traveling, and going to drag races.
Robi Lawrence, MSW, LCSWA
Therapist
Robi is a native NYer who has been in North Carolina for 20 years. I received my Bachelor in Criminal Justice at Belmont Abbey and Masters at Winthrop U in Social work. I am a father of 3 recently Married in October 2025. I have always had a passion for helping others and have worked with many populations. My experience is mainly with children and youth. I love to golf in my spare time and travel. I think the best thing about what we do is assist in changing lives! I hope to be an asset to the team and look forward to working with you all.
Crystal Neal, MA, LCMHC, LCASA
Therapist
Crystal graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family Development in 2016. She continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earned her MA in Counseling and Addiction in 2022. Her goal is to help clients create meaningful, achievable change by blending Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Collaboratively, with the client’s lead, she hopes to facilitate identifying patterns, building practical coping skills, and strengthening resilience. Crystal has worked with individuals who are facing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, addiction and many other mental health struggles. She offers a warm, inclusive space and is proudly LGBTQIA+ affirming, ensuring that every identity and experience is respected. In her off time she likes to spend time with her family and her dog, Henry, listening to her favorite band, gardening, or reading.
Caroline Merrick, MA, LCMHCA
Therapist
Caroline received her bachelor’s degree from UNC Asheville and her master’s from Campbell University. Caroline is passionate about helping children, adolescents, and adults of all ages navigate trauma and stressful life events. She takes a holistic approach and enjoys incorporating creative modalities into the therapeutic process. Caroline views the healing process as unique to each individual and she strives to meet people where they are on that journey. Outside of the office, Caroline enjoys music, dancing, taking walks, and watching movies and TV shows with her husband and two cats.
Mitchell Croot, MA, LCMHCA
Therapist
Mitchell has completed his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UNC Charlotte (2026). After five years of teaching the humanities at North Rowan High School, Mitchell found that the most meaningful part of education for him was helping his students through their most difficult times. As a veteran of the United States Army, he is passionate about helping people transition through destabilizing life events, whether that be transitioning out of the military, incarceration, graduation, marriage, divorce, or any other of life’s challenging turning points. In his free time, Mitchell enjoys crafting, gaming, research, skateboarding with his children, and spending time with his amazing wife.
Interns
Tamora Hogan
Intern - Liberty University
Tamora is a Counseling Intern at Creative Counseling and Learning Solutions, where she brings a warm, compassionate approach to supporting children, adolescents, and families through life's challenges. With years of experience as a classroom teacher, she developed a deep appreciation for the resilience and unique strengths within each young person. Tamora firmly believes that personal growth emerges from honoring our inner strength, even during difficult seasons when guidance and support can make all the difference. After witnessing the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her community—particularly the rise in anxiety among children—she felt a calling to transition into clinical mental health counseling, embarking on this journey to help families navigate emotional transitions, separation anxiety, trauma, and adjustment with evidence-based, creative, and relational strategies.
She holds an undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University and is completing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University as part of her supervised clinical training toward licensure as a Professional Counselor. Tamora draws on her background
in education and a heartfelt commitment for empowering families to build emotional regulation, resilience, and connection, one step at a time.
Christie Giles
Intern - Montreat College
Christie earned her bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Montreat College. She is excited to be serving as a counseling intern at Creative Counseling, where she is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges with compassion, hope, and support.
Christie believes that every person has the capacity for growth and healing. She utilizes a person-centered approach while integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, strengthen relationships, and develop healthier ways of coping. Christie strives to create a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to make meaningful changes. She has a special passion for walking alongside individuals and families experiencing trauma, particularly those facing the emotional challenges that often accompany serious medical diagnoses, chronic illness, or other health-related life changes.
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When she's not counseling or studying, Christie enjoys spending time with her amazing husband, their three wonderful children, and four crazy dogs. She also loves serving in her church, reading, and making memories with family and friends.
Odetayo Odedere
Intern - Walden University
For more than 15 years, I have dedicated my career to helping people navigate life's most difficult transitions. My approach is built on the firm belief that everyone is inherently trustworthy and capable of moving toward a positive, self-actualized life. In my work with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of isolation and the importance of rebuilding connections. This experience led me to pursue my second master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. I view the therapeutic alliance as a partnership; by offering a safe, welcoming environment characterized by deep empathy and open-mindedness, I aim to empower you to express your true self and discover the strengths you already hold within.
Jocelyn Van Buren
Intern - Walden University
Jocelyn received her bachelor's degree in psychology at Southern New Hampshire University and is currently pursuing her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. She is excited to begin her internship at Creative Counseling and work with children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties in their day-to-day lives. In her free time, she typically reads, spends time with friends and family, or enjoys time with her dog.
Madison Weaver
Intern - Walden University
Maddie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2021 and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. As a counselor intern, she is dedicated to creating a safe and non-judgmental environment where clients feel genuinely heard and empowered to pursue their personal growth. Her therapeutic foundation is based on person-centered therapy, emphasizing empathy and unconditional positive regard, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns. While these are her primary approaches, she believes therapy is not one-size-fits-all; she adopts an integrative approach, tailoring her modality to meet each individual's unique goals and preferences. She is passionate about supporting school-aged children through developmental challenges and working with adults experiencing life transitions, anxiety, or self-esteem issues. Her goal is to provide personalized care that fosters resilience and sustainable change. “Powerful is our need to be known, really known by ourselves and others, even if only for a moment.” -Carl Rogers
Office Support
Janice Lee
Office Manager
Christa Broyles
Billing & Credentialing Specialist
Service Animals
Sage
Equine Comfort specialist
Being the first horse to graze at Creative Counseling, Sage has had plenty of experience in service and understanding. All who meet Sage have a very different story about how she has helped others in their daily lives. Whether that is by playing the role of stubborn child, teaching patients to parents and leaders, or by mirroring a headstrong kiddo, helping children recognize their own actions and how that may make their parents feel, she is always the first to greet and probably "boop" whoever shows up to say "Hello".
Saffron
Equine Comfort specialist
In her younger years, she was a well-known barrel racing horse! After an ankle injury that led to her retirement, she has found solace in the pastures of Creative Counseling. With her motherly instincts, she is always the first to observe and acknowledge everyone who meets her! She is terrified of water but loves getting pampered by others. An avid apple lover, she is always eager to spend calm-quality time with all!
Alice
Therapy Cat
Alice was rescued by Creative Counseling in 2018 as a kitten, and quickly aspired to be a therapy cat. She connects really well with everyone who comes to our office, and races to be the first to say "Hello"! Some days she likes to go outside and roam the pasture, bringing back all kinds of treats for our clients. A nurturer at heart, she really has connected with clients who have experienced loss on a personal level. Found asleep on the front porch, asleep on someone's lap in the office, or out back riding one of the horses (Yes it happens), Alice is one of the many beloved mascots here at Creative Counseling!
Nugget
Therapy Cat in Training
Nugget was another rescue, first fostered by our Therapist Shannon. She has since been training to be an addition to our therapy team. Our clients enjoy Nugget's playful and silly spirit.
