Welcome my name is Stephanie, I am currently licensed by the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I Hold a Masters of Art in Community Counseling from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte., A Maters in Theology in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, I In addition to this I am a trained facilitator of Life Innovations Prepare and Enrichment Marital Counseling Program. I have taught on local and National levels about Compassion to persons living with HIV and AIDS, I have provide counseling in various settings to include, Emergency Room, Community Counseling Centers, Schools, Churches and Group and Private Practice. I am skilled in translating theory into practice. I have 15 yrs experience working as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I provided counseling for adult individuals who are chemically dependent, I have worked with Children ,Adolescents and Adults in Family Treatment Centers providing, Individual, Family and Couples Counseling. My counseling approach is to enter into a professional therapeutic relationship with (you) the client in which (I) the Professional Counselor assist you in exploring and resolving challenging life issues. I believe that the Professional Therapeutic Relationship between client and therapist is the key variable in facilitating positive changes. The counselors techniques utilized will vary and will be based on the information gathered in the clinical assessment. You will work with your therapist to focus on your needs and develop your treatment goals. It is imperative that you be involved in the goal setting process to enhance your growth. To achieve personal growth it is necessary for you to assume responsibility for your actions, decisions, and behaviors. Therefore complete responsibility for the direction of treatment rests with you (the client). In addition to this the outcome of your counseling depends on your compliance and progress in treatment. My theoretical orientation involves an integrated approach in which I provide therapy based on the theory and techniques that I believe are appropriated for your individual needs. My clinical practice involves the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapy explores how clients think about themselves and the world and promotes clients’ acting on those cognitions through behavior in their daily lives. It involves the use of behavior assessment and modification techniques such as cognitive restructuring, positive reinforcement, modeling, contracting, relaxation training, assertion training, and self- management programs. Other counseling approaches used may include Adlerian therapy. This therapy explores how behavior occurs in a social context, family constellation and birth order, lifestyle and social interest. . In addition to this a career counseling approach may be used, and psycho–education. These approaches may include the use of techniques such as, encouragement, interpretation, immediacy, task assignments, substance abuse education, relapse prevention, catching oneself in old behavior and learning how to modify it, reframing, role playing and the empty chair. Issues that will be addressed by these techniques are early childhood experiences to include interpersonal violence, the impact of addiction on the family system, poor interpersonal skills, depression, recovery, anxiety, grief, anger, fear of abandonment and rejection, stress management and time