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,LCMHCA, 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. Secily is excited to be working at Creative Counseling after completing her internship with the practice. Her approach to counseling is holistic, client-centered, and collaborative. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, couples, 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.
Lynne Allred, MA, LCMHC
Therapist
Lynne has a Master of Arts/Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gardner-Webb University. She primarily works with students, elementary through high school, experiencing difficulties with school and home responsibilities. Lynne believes that a client is best served by introducing skills and helping them identify which ones work best in the moment. She uses techniques that are based in cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as expressive arts techniques when applicable to the counseling situation. Lynne has expertise in school-related issues based on thirty years as a teacher. She has additional training in the areas of autism spectrum disorder, grief/loss,
and dementia care.
Janeen Tisdell, MSW, LCSWA
Therapist
Janeen attended Elizabeth City State University where she received her Bachelor of Social Work degree, and received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina. She has over 15 years of social work experience. Janeen has experience working with children, adults, and families as a whole. She primarily works with children who are in middle school and up, and adults who may be experiencing anxiety, grief, depression, and trauma. She has several years of training in working with individuals who have experienced different types of trauma in their lives, including but not limited to different forms of abuse, child neglect, foster care, separation, adoption, substance use, etc. When she isn’t working to help people she is home spending time with her husband and her chihuahua. Janeen enjoys working with people from all walks of life, and enjoys helping people find their path towards healing. Her motto is that, “healing is a process.”
Shannon Raczynski, MSW, LCSWA
Therapist
Shannon graduated from Manhattan College with a BA in Peace Studies and Philosophy, and continued her education at CUNY Hunter College, where she received her MSW in 2023. As a therapist, she strives to create a compassionate space for clients to bring their authentic selves. Shannon has worked with a wide range of individuals and has experience working with those facing anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She takes a collaborative and person-centered approach, utilizing techniques grounded in Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and creative arts therapy. In her off time, you can find Shannon spending time with
her sisters, reading, or starting a new DIY project.
Emma Hiott, MA, LCMHCA
Therapist
Emma graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S in Psychology and Sociology, and continued her education at Lenoir-Rhyne University where she received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a therapist, she works to create a strong therapeutic relationship with clients through a person-centered approach that incorporates body-centered therapy and DBT to allow space for whole body healing. She works with clients of all ages who are experiencing anxiety, depression, body image issues, and life transitions. In her off time, you can find her in a local thrift store, enjoying a coffee shop, or walking outside with her two rescue dogs.
Dan Rhodes
Therapist
Dan earned both a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His approach to counseling emphasizes a collaborative and compassionate therapeutic relationship, where clients feel supported in exploring and understanding themselves more deeply. He is passionate about creating a space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered in their healing journey. In sessions, Dan integrates techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), gestalt therapy, and internal family systems theory to meet each client's unique needs. He works with individuals ages 12 and up navigating life challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, chronic health issues, and disabilities.
Interns
Krista Peterson
Intern - Liberty University
Krista graduated from North Carolina State University in 2009 with an undergraduate degree in Horticulture Science with a concentration in Landscape Design. She is currently pursuing 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 own unique experiences as well. She has a strong passion for adolescents and adults 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 with her boyfriend.
Mitchell Croot
Intern - UNCC
Mitchell is currently pursuing his Master’s in clinical mental health counseling from UNC Charlotte. 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.
Caroline Merrick
Intern - Campbell University
Caroline received her bachelor's degree in psychology from UNC Asheville and is currently pursuing her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Campbell University. Caroline is excited to be working as an intern at Creative Counseling. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate the challenges, hardships, and difficult circumstances that life throws at them. Caroline embraces a holistic and person-centered approach to counseling and loves incorporating creative modalities into her style such as expressive arts therapy. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and tv shows with her husband and two cats, playing piano, and reading.
Lina Spencer
Intern - Liberty University
Lina is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after a career in healthcare. She is passionate about taking an empathetic and collaborative approach towards helping her clients create improved well-being in their lives. Lina integrates evidence-based techniques from multiple schools of thought, but her personal counseling style is primarily informed by cognitive behavioral theory and choice theory. Outside of the practice Lina can typically be found gardening, reading a good book, oil painting, and playing the piano or harp.
Kalyn Luther
Intern - LSU
Kalyn graduated from Western Carolina University in 2022 with her undergraduate degree in Birth-Kindergarten Education. After working in the school system, she realized teaching was not her calling, but working with children was still a big part of her future. After a few years of waiting for direction, she was led to pursue her Master of Social Work. She feels a strong passion for working with children who have experienced trauma. She is also passionate about working with children to help them effectively manage their thoughts and emotions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, thrift shopping, and traveling.
Odetayo Odedere
Intern - Walden University
Bio
Office Support
Service Animals
Janice Lee
Office Manager
Janice taught for thirty years in Stanly County Schools prior to joining Creative Counseling. Janice helped Laura fill in for a few weeks in the office, and was so loved, she was asked to stay full-time. She is the voice you hear when you call the office, and usually the first one that will greet you at the door. (unless Alice beats her to the chase!) Outside of work she loves to bake and share her sweet treats with others!
Christa Broyles
Billing & Credentialing Specialist
Bio
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.
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!
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!
