Yes, I am currently accepting new virtual clients. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

I see clients located in North Carolina or South Carolina online via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform and am happy to answer any questions about virtual therapy.

Session frequency will depend on your needs and goals. After the intake, we will create a personalized plan to support your progress in and outside therapy. Generally, we will start with weekly appointments and then move to a lower frequency once you have achieved your goals.

Sessions typically last 50 minutes, which is standard for individual counseling.

Please complete the "Contact Us" form or email lauren@climbinghillscounseling.com. I look forward to connecting with you.

If you are considering starting therapy, you might be wondering what to expect in those first few steps. We offer both a free 15-minute consult call and a full 50-minute intake appointment, but they serve very different purposes.

The 15-minute consult call is a quick, no-pressure conversation designed to help us determine if we’re a good fit. During this call, we will talk briefly about what’s bringing you to therapy, and I will share a little about how I work. You can ask any questions you have about the process, and we will cover logistics like scheduling, fees, and whether I accept your insurance (either BCBS or Aetna). This is not a therapy session, but rather a chance for us to connect and see if moving forward together feels right. There’s no cost and no obligation, just a space to explore your options.

If we decide to move forward, the next step is the 50-minute video intake appointment. This is a full clinical session where we will take a deep dive into your history, your current challenges, and your goals for therapy. We will explore areas like your relationships, work stress, family dynamics, and any mental health symptoms you may be experiencing. This session helps me get a clear picture of who you are and how I can best support you. We will also begin identifying a roadmap for your therapy journey.

The intake session is more structured and is billed accordingly, either through your insurance or at the private pay rate. By the end of it, we’ll have a better sense of how we can work together and what the next steps in your healing process might look like.

In short:
The consult call is an informal introduction.
The intake appointment is the start of your therapeutic work.

If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d love to connect with you via email. Let’s see if this could be the right fit for the support you deserve.

My self-pay rate is $150 per session, in line with industry standards for therapists with similar experience and qualifications. I also offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help us determine if we’re a good fit. If you have concerns about affordability, please reach out to discuss options.

I am in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (except Blue Value/Local) and Aetna (including the NC State Health Plan). Please check with your insurance company to confirm coverage for therapy services. If I am out-of-network, I provide a superbill for possible reimbursement and accept HSA/FSA cards.

Cancellations or rescheduling must be made at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a charge of the full session fee.

As a high-achieving woman or mom, you are used to doing it all, but that doesn’t mean you have to handle everything alone. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, or feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to “keep it together,” I offer a supportive, personalized space where you can breathe, reflect, and reset.

Together, we will explore what’s really going on beneath the surface using proven, practical tools that actually work. I use approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (to help you shift negative thought patterns), motivational interviewing (to uncover what truly drives you), and person-centered therapy (so you always feel seen, heard, and understood).

And if you’re a parent, I bring in child-centered play therapy and parent-child relationship techniques to help you better connect with your child, so you feel more confident, supported, and in sync at home.

My goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you rediscover your strength, quiet the noise of anxiety, and reconnect with who you are beyond all the roles you juggle.

My credentials reflect my education, licensure, and specialized expertise in mental health care:

• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision, with advanced training in clinical practice, research, and teaching.

• LCMHC – Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, authorized to provide therapy in North Carolina.

• PMH-C – Perinatal Mental Health Certified, specializing in mental health support during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout parenthood.

• BC-TMH – Board Certified Telemental Health Provider, trained in delivering secure, ethical, and effective online therapy.

• NCC – National Certified Counselor, a designation that demonstrates high standards in education, experience, and ethics.