Therapists in Asheville, NC

Humans are pretty cool. We can watch and rewatch our favorite movies, travel to faraway places, or dye our hair whatever color we choose. But we can also make rash decisions, relive that awkward moment from 7 years ago, or even hurt our friends and family emotionally. These things make us uniquely human, too. I work with a diverse group of adults and young adults experiencing a myriad of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, life adjustments, relationship problems, trauma history, suicidal ideation, identity development, and LGBTQIA. I provide therapeutic services virtually and in-person in Asheville.

I have worked with children, adolescents, teens, and adults in various settings including summer camps, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential rehabilitation. This has allowed a wide breadth of experience in areas from supporting children and adolescents as they embark through developmental stages, as well as teens and adults as they learn, grow, heal and empower themselves through life’s many challenges. I have experience in supporting clients through various areas including: depression, suicidal ideation/self-harm, anxiety, perfectionism, OCD, trauma, attachment, substance use and process addictions, and supporting LGBTQ+

When we are not feeling at our best due to stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, addiction etc., it effects every other aspect of our lives. It takes strength and courage to recognize that something needs to change. I like to work with my clients in a collaborative and supportive style that provides a blend of coaching, interactive interventions and by instilling hope about their future. Where you are today does not mean that you have to be there tomorrow

Through difficult life experiences, you may have come to believe that you can't ask for help or that you can only trust yourself. Perhaps you believe that being vulnerable is dangerous. Strong emotions might even make you feel out of control. More importantly, there’s a part of you that wants things to change. Welcome! My therapeutic work is deeply grounded in healing practices that promote dignity, justice, and self-determination. I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental, empowering, and collaborative healing space where you can show up just as you are and where you can gain the tools for meaningful change.

There is a thread that runs through all the painful experiences we have as humans. Whether its depression, anxiety, loss, addiction, an existential crisis, or the myriad of other issues we face, these experiences of suffering all generate the same feeling of aloneness. These stark moments of aloneness are at the heart of our sorrow, and I have spent my life learning how to connect to people having these experiences so that they feel less alone. I feel really passionate about working with couples and groups as well as individuals.

Hi I'm Alison Cross! I am a psychotherapist, and I provide both in person and virtual services in Georgia and North Carolina. It’s important to have an idea of what feels like the right fit when you’re looking for a qualified person to talk to. The problem is, how do you know? So here's what it looks like with me. When my client leaves our session, my goal is for them to feel heard and respected.  I want my clients to feel like they’re talking to a real person.  How else can trust be built? My style has been described as 'down to earth, gentle, and encouraging.' I also have a great sense of humor that comes in only when appropriate.

Even the most self-aware humans can experience periods of confusion, stuckness, and destabilization, and oftentimes suffering has unconscious roots. I've dedicated my training and education as a helping professional to learn how to unlock messages from the unconscious to promote healing and well-being. I also strive to arm my clients with concrete tools to use independently, long after our work together is completed. I have many years of experience helping people heal, blending a variety of nontraditional and expressive therapeutic approaches with evidence-based interventions to meet the individual needs of the people I serve.

I am particularly passionate about serving individuals in the neurodivergent, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQIA+ communities. As a member of all three communities, I know that these three identities often intersect to affect our mental health, most often in a negative way. I want to help my clients understand the many different ways in which they intersect and take steps to use those intersections to their advantage.

Do you struggle with feeling like you don't belong? Do you wish you could wake up and love every single thing about yourself? Maybe you've been through something that resulted in an installed belief of "I'm not good enough". I'm here to tell you that you are good enough. I spent a lot of my life feeling like I needed to hide or apologize for who I am. People and institutions told me that I didn't fit their mold so that meant that I just didn't matter. Screw that! We are beautiful and unique humans and are worthy of all the good things! I finally learned that I never have to apologize for being me! Neither do you!

Trying to manage daily life is hard work. If you have come here for relief and guidance, then I commend you. I have over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families in need. My specialty is in working with youth of all ages, as well as providing support to parents who wake up every morning and take on the toughest job in the world, which is raising kids. You are not alone. I am incredibly skilled at connecting with young people of all ages and I know how to build rapport quickly. Together we will find solutions that will help restore peace in your home and sanity in your life.

All of us have been wounded by life in different ways, personally and in and through our relationships. We need healing and find it painful to examine our wounds. The poet, Rumi, wrote: "Don't turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place. That's where the light enters you." I went back to graduate school so that I could sit with others willing to do this courageous work. Maybe you are ready for such a journey. I work primarily with adults, but I have worked with children for over 30 years as well.

Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, or a major life transition? If so, counseling can help. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, I create a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment for my clients to explore issues that may be causing them distress or discomfort in their lives. Counseling can provide you with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of who you are, increase your sense of power and control, learn and master effective problem solving skills, and alleviate acute or chronic symptoms that may be affecting your ability to function.

It's difficult, if not impossible, to truly thrive in life when you are suffering. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or feeling abused, neglected, or misunderstood, having a regular time and space to talk about these issues in a safe and confidential space is essential to working through them. Those who commit to this process discover that, over time, their suffering is more manageable than they thought, and that living a more fulfilling life is well within their grasp.

I believe that each individual already possesses the solutions to the challenges they face. My role as a counselor and a healer is to be a companion in the discovery of those solutions. I am a reliable guide with over 25 years of experience working with people of all ages. I specialize in helping people during major life transitions, times of grief & loss, and with trauma recovery. During my 11 years in Hospice, I learned how to help people navigate the many challenges that come with grief and loss. ​ As a long time meditation instructor, one of the hallmarks of my practice is the use of meditation as a tool for healing.

We are all deeply impacted by a variety of factors. Our upbringing. Our experiences. Genetics and biology. Culture, race, ethnicity and gender. Who we may have lost in our lives. Our physical abilities and/or limitations. These components and more have worked to create over 8 billion unique individuals. What factors have impacted you? What has helped you to thrive and survive? What creates worry or dread? What contributes to feelings of heaviness or being out of sorts? These are some of the questions that will be instrumental in how we approach therapy together.

Are you living with depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, lack of direction, trauma? I believe that we naturally feel a call to live meaningful, loving lives and know intuitively that this is our best path but we often will feel stuck, unsure, fearful and so take no action. Existential therapy calls this a restricted existence and believes the goal of all therapy is to remove the road blocks that are limiting you from moving toward living your best life.

As a parent of a teenager, you’re wondering: How can I support my kid to be the best version of themself they can be? Contacting a therapist can be intimidating. But you’re taking an important first step in seeking out that therapist who you can build a trusting therapeutic relationship with to help your teen become the person they believe they can be. I work with clients in a relaxed, natural, and professional atmosphere to collaborate with them to identify the different paths and choices that lay before them so they can be empowered to become the rockstar version of themselves they always dreamed of.

Are you feeling frustrated or confused as to what to do next to support your child? Has something changed and they just don't seem like them self lately? Maybe they are acting different or distancing them self, struggling at school, stressed by peer relationships, seem more irritable and angry, have low motivation. Are they struggling with regulating or coping with uncomfortable emotions? Perhaps they are coming out sideways: excessive worry, defiance, refusal, self-harm, eating struggles, anger, withdrawing. My goal is to provide a secure, safe, supportive space for you and your child to share, heal, grow and thrive.

As a licensed psychological associate at Matone Counseling and Testing, I hope to assist individuals in overcoming obstacles they face, aid them in reaching their goals, and lead gratifying lives. I am committed to providing a safe space for clients to express and explore themselves. Additionally, I am passionate about working with adolescents, young adults, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, body image, and maladaptive eating behaviors.