Courtney Surigao , LCMHC

Courtney Surigao, LCMHC, focuses on practical, relational approaches to help people move forward. She uses straightforward methods to address stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. Her style centers on listening, identifying strengths, and setting realistic goals to create change.

Courtney draws on 18 years of experience working with a wide range of life challenges. She helps people cope with parenting strain, blended family issues, adoption and foster care concerns, and family-of-origin dynamics. She also supports those facing chronic illness, caregiver stress, body image and eating concerns, and intimacy-related struggles.

In sessions she combines client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral and solution-focused techniques. That can mean practicing skills, trying short experiments between meetings, and using narrative work to reframe difficult stories. Homework assignments or simple exercises are common to help ideas stick in everyday life.

Courtney treats grief, hospice and end-of-life concerns, and issues tied to trauma and abuse with attention and care. She also addresses anger, sleep problems, hoarding, isolation, and career or school-related stress. Clients often work on communication, forgiveness, and rebuilding self-esteem.

She practices in North Carolina and offers therapy in English. Courtney accepts international clients and adapts sessions to each person’s goals. Her approach is direct, compassionate, and aimed at steady, practical progress.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a helpful relationship first. It helps people feel heard, clarify values, and identify personal strengths that can guide small changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It uses practical skill-building and homework to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose methods that match goals and preferences. That may mean combining listening-based support with CBT exercises or short solution-focused steps, and adjusting as progress develops.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video is good for deeper conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in fits a busy day. Live chat and text let people send notes, check in between meetings, or use brief written exercises while juggling childcare or work. These options aim to make it easier to attend sessions and practice skills consistently.