Therapy for Duke Graduate & Professional Students in Durham, NC
Graduate school can be intellectually rewarding—and emotionally demanding. Between academic pressure, research, clinical responsibilities, financial stress, and navigating major life transitions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed while believing you should be able to handle it all. Therapy offers a place to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and receive support from someone who understands the unique pressures of graduate and professional training.
Many graduate and professional students spend their days caring for patients, conducting research, teaching, solving complex problems, or preparing for demanding careers. From the outside, it may look like you're managing everything well. On the inside, you may be carrying anxiety, self-doubt, loneliness, burnout, or the lingering effects of past experiences that make everyday stress feel even heavier.
Therapy isn't about becoming "stronger." It's about creating a space where you don't have to perform, achieve, or have all the answers.
Why Graduate School Can Feel So Overwhelming
constant evaluation
uncertainty
isolation
perfectionism
financial stress
relocating away from support systems
competitive environments
long hours
emotional exhaustion
My Approach
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens within a trusting therapeutic relationship. I integrate relational psychodynamic therapy, EMDR, attachment-focused work, mindfulness, and somatic approaches to help you better understand yourself, process difficult experiences, and develop greater flexibility and resilience.
Whether you're navigating the pressures of graduate school, adjusting to a new environment, managing family expectations, or working through experiences that began long before your program, therapy is tailored to your unique goals and needs.
Challenges We Can Work Through Together
✓ Anxiety and chronic stress
✓ Academic burnout
✓ Perfectionism and self-criticism
✓ Imposter syndrome
✓ Trauma and difficult life experiences
✓ Relationship challenges
✓ Life transitions
✓ Depression and low motivation
✓ Balancing work, research, and personal life
✓ Building healthier boundaries
You Don’t Have To Navigate Graduate School Alone
Whether you're adjusting to graduate school, feeling burned out, struggling with anxiety, or working through experiences that continue to affect your life today, therapy can provide a supportive space to better understand yourself and move forward with greater confidence and balance.
Graduate and Professional Student FAQ’s
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Yes. I am in-network for students enrolled in the Duke University health insurance plan. Your co-pay for therapy is $10 per session.
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Yes. I work with graduate and professional students across a variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, public health, business, law, engineering, and doctoral programs. While each program has its own unique demands, many students experience similar challenges—high expectations, long hours, uncertainty about the future, and balancing academic responsibilities with personal well-being. Therapy provides a supportive space to navigate these challenges while staying connected to yourself and the people who matter most.
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Absolutely. Many graduate and professional students question whether they truly belong, despite years of hard work and accomplishment. These feelings can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. In therapy, we'll explore the experiences and beliefs contributing to these patterns while helping you develop greater self-compassion, confidence, and resilience.
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A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. That's why I offer an initial consultation where you can ask questions, share what you're looking for, and get a sense of how I work. If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first appointment. If not, I'm happy to help point you toward other resources that may better meet your needs.
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Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if it's your first time. The first few sessions are an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, your goals, and your personal history at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My approach is collaborative, warm, and nonjudgmental. There is no expectation that you have everything figured out before you begin.
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Yes. Many couples seek therapy after trust has been damaged. While every relationship is different, EFT helps couples understand the emotional impact of these experiences and begin rebuilding safety, openness, and trust together.
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Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions for clients located in North Carolina, making therapy accessible whether you're on campus, completing clinical rotations, conducting research, or living elsewhere in the state. Many students appreciate the flexibility of meeting virtually when their schedules are especially demanding.
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I recommend—and generally require—weekly sessions, especially at the beginning of therapy. Meeting consistently helps us build a strong therapeutic relationship, maintain momentum, and create the safety needed for meaningful change. Therapy is most effective when there is continuity, allowing us to explore patterns, process experiences, and integrate new insights over time.
As your goals evolve, we'll regularly check in about your progress and discuss what makes the most sense moving forward.
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Therapy is confidential, and many graduate and professional students seek counseling while completing their training. The challenges that come with rigorous academic and clinical programs are common, and reaching out for support is a sign of self-awareness—not weakness. My goal is to provide a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly about what's going on without fear of judgment.
Ready to Take Care of Yourself, Too?
As a graduate or professional student, you're used to investing your time and energy in your education, your patients, your research, or your future career. Therapy is an opportunity to invest in yourself.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or simply ready for things to feel different, I'd be honored to support you. If you're a Duke graduate or professional student seeking therapy in Durham, I invite you to reach out for a consultation to see if we're a good fit.