Best Health Counselor Greensboro Near Me

4worldlovers:
The hit show This Is Us has a dedicated audience, often in tears by the end of an episode. Their deep characters, moving storylines, and good writing has created an almost cult-like following, but there may be a bigger reason for the show’s success: It tackles mental illness with accuracy, honesty, and hope. Randall, one of the star characters, is a good man. He has a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. He also has severe anxiety.

Like many people, Randall has hidden his obsessive behaviors and worrying thoughts. Anxiety secretly plagued him since he was a young child, but his secret was revealed during a very public panic attack. The show has shown the difficult reality of anxiety, but it has also shown the hope that life can be better.

I think one thing is that anybody who’s had to contend with mental illness – whether it’s depression, bipolar illness or severe anxiety, whatever – actually has a fair amount of resilience.”—Kay Redfield Jamison

Many people either know what it is like to live with a mental illness or they know what it is like to love someone who is living with a mental illness. Depression, bipolar, anxiety, and eating disorders are more common than many realize or want to admit.

Anyone who has either struggled or supported a loved one who struggled against these mental illnesses should know that they are strong, as Psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison reminds us. Strong people know that reaching out for help is often the smart choice. Therapists, counselors, and life coaches can often help people find the right diagnosis, which may lead to the right treatment.

That is why Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Greensboro offers mental health care: we love helping people take tangible steps that improve their lives. Whether they are facing mental illness, career stagnation, or relational tension, our therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and life coaches have walked with their clients, step-by-step, to find solutions that improve their lives.

In one sense, the care that each person receives during therapy or counseling should be unique and personalized because what each individual is experiencing is unique. Yes, there are common symptoms to mental illness. Yes, there are patterns to relational tension. Yes, there are strategies for career advancement. However, the details of how these are playing out in an individual’s life are unique and important. In another sense, there are principles of care that can be applied in most mental health settings. For one thing, any therapeutic relationship is just that—a relationship. As with any relationship, each partner must establish trust. Thus, counseling, therapy, and coaching start with a time that allows clients to speak freely about why they are pursuing therapy—the circumstances that led them to that decision as well as their goals for the time.

Clients may or may not have an idea of what they want to accomplish during their time, but if they do, they are encouraged to share. Therapists often inquire about each client’s physical health, career, family, friendships, relationships, spirituality, mental health concerns, and anything else that may be helpful during treatment. Counselors, coaches, and therapists work hard to create a safe place for their clients, where they feel safe to share.

As trust is built, the therapeutic relationship often progresses. Clients may feel more and more comfortable presenting what is happening in their lives. We work with individuals, couples, families, and children. For example, a client may want to work through issues such as…

As clients present situations they are facing, mental health care professionals will work with them to find a treatment plan that fits their symptoms, circumstances, and goals. Again, each treatment plan will be unique, but generally speaking…

When clients receive a diagnosis for a mental illness, like Major Depressive Disorder, or when they are suffering from trauma they experienced, the focus of their treatment plan is often safety and healing.

When clients have a personal or professional goal that they want to achieve, their therapy plan often focuses upon self-awareness. With their coach, therapist, or counselor, they may go through exercises that identify their strengths and weaknesses or clarify their values and goals.

When clients have an addiction or are fighting impulsive behavior, accountability and attachment may be the focus of their treatment plan. Clients may need to help owning the consequences of their behavior while exploring any psychological wounds that may be contributing to it.

4worldlovers: Santé Counseling is a private practice located in the historic Fisher Park district of Greensboro, North Carolina

Santé, French for “health,” is the foundation of the practice’s mission to promote and encompass all of the facets of health: mental, emotional, and physical. Through individual, couples, family, and group treatment our clients come to a safe place to process, heal, grow, and experience positive changes.

4worldlovers:
Our clinicians have a combined 50+ years of experience as Cognitive-Behavior Therapy specialists. We utilize state-of-the-art treatments proven to be effective based on sound research.

Anxiety Disorders including Panic Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Generalized Anxiety; Social Anxiety; PTSD; and Phobias


Dr. Dennis McKnight is a Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, licensed by the state of North Carolina. Dr. McKnight is a skilled Cognitive-Behavior Therapist and Diagnostician with 25+ years of experience. He is an expert at diagnosing and treating Mood Disorders, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Stress Reactions, and Marital Therapy. Dr. McKnight has extensive experience in outpatient and hospital settings. He is well published in the areas of Mood Disorders, Depression, and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. Dr. McKnight is the past President for the Council on Anxiety Disorders, and previous Director of Psychological Services at Mandala Inpatient Center and New Directions Treatment Center.

Dr. McKnight has also been an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for most of his career. He has been a presenter and trainer for numerous workshops involving mental health professionals, physicians, and the public on topics such as Mood Disorders, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Stress Management, and other psychology-related topics. Dr. McKnight has been a specialized consultant for the Greensboro Police Department, Emergency 911 workers, the North Carolina Prison System, private companies, nursing homes and the V.A. hospital in Salisbury. He also developed and implemented Prevent Abuse Training programs for nursing homes. Dr. McKnight has appeared on numerous local TV and radio stations and has been an active spokesman for the Mental Health Association.


Dr. McKnight is committed to providing quality care and education to clients and professionals in the area of Psychology and Psychology-related disorders.


Erik Nelson, M.A. is a Clinical Psychologist licensed in the state of North Carolina. He is a skilled Cognitive-Behavior Therapist, ACT Therapist and an expert in Mindfulness Therapy, specializing in the treatment of Mood Disorders, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Family Therapy, Stress Management, personal growth, and Marital Therapy. Erik also is highly skilled at evaluating and testing for adult and child ADHD, Psychoeducational testing, and Personality tests. His focus is working with children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Erik has lived in the Greensboro area since 1991. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from North Carolina State University. Erik obtained his Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from UNC at Greensboro. He was involved in the Star Program and the Right Track grant through UNC at Greensboro.

Erik is committed to providing cutting edge, quality care to his clients, and helping others with what Psychology has to offer. He is an advocate for individuals suffering from psychological-related disorders.

Prior to practicing psychology, Erik spent time as both a high school and preschool teacher. Erik lives in Greensboro with his wife, Melissa, his son Ian, and dog, Kipling.

​​Jennifer Connolly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina. She received her Master of Social Work degree through the joint program at UNCG and North Carolina A & T University.