About Us
Alicia McArthur, MA, LCMHC
For almost 20 years, I have walked with clients as they heal and grow through different seasons and struggles. It has been (and continues to be) a great privilege that clients choose to walk in to my office and be vulnerable, and trust me to care for them in challenging times.
My credentials: I received my BA in Communication and French from Wake Forest University, and my MA in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. I have been working in the mental health field since 2002, and have been a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (formerly Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of North Carolina since August 26, 2005 (License #5019). In August of 2013, I became a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (License #S5019). Prior to starting my own private practice, I worked at the Mecklenburg County Jail, and in both the outpatient department and emergency department of CMC-Randolph (now known as Atrium Behavioral Health).
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On a personal note, I am a mom of 3 teenagers and a wife, which keeps me busy outside of work! The gardening metaphor is near to my heart since some of my own “therapy” involves getting my hands in the dirt and I love to enjoy the fruit (and flowers) of my labors. One of my professional dreams is to find a way to take therapy outside and incorporate the healing benefits of plants in my work - stay tuned!
What you can expect from me
I believe that all individuals are unique and valuable, and I treat all of my clients with compassion, respect and acceptance. In our sessions, you can expect that I will teach you different coping strategies, explore your story with you, and identify points of healing or growth as well as steps towards those goals. I often ask my clients to do small assignments between sessions - I think it's important for client to take steps towards their goals outside of sessions and we will work together to determine those. I particularly enjoy helping my clients explore how their values and spiritual beliefs can help improve their mental health.
Simply put: my style is straight-forward, practical, validating and collaborative. It is influenced by elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, systems theory, narrative therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am also proud to be certified in EMDR through the EMDR International Association. I believe counseling should be a safe place where you feel supported to change, grow and heal. It takes a lot of courage to walk in to my office and work through difficult emotions or situations, and I offer my unconditional support while gently confronting core issues that keep clients stuck.