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DP Portrait of Douglas Phares

Douglas Phares

Calm, practical strategies for everyday challenges

LCMHC North Carolina

Experience
7 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Douglas

Douglas Phares is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina who relies on evidence-informed strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Background and approach

He brings seven years of clinical experience to his practice and emphasizes an individualized approach that adapts to each person’s needs and goals. Douglas frames therapy as a collaborative process focused on practical skills, improved coping, and clearer problem-solving.

He works with concerns that include ADHD, self-esteem difficulties, panic and social anxiety, and complex reactions to loss or separation. Additional interests include body image, impulsivity, isolation, life purpose, and mood regulation challenges such as Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

He aims to offer respectful, sensitive, and compassionate care while tailoring conversations and treatment plans to reflect a client’s unique circumstances. Beginning therapy often requires courage, and Douglas positions himself as a supportive partner through that transition.

His practice combines goal-oriented methods with client-centered attention so clients can pursue greater well-being and clearer direction at a pace that fits them.

Practical approaches for online therapy and skill-building

Douglas draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to symptoms like anxiety, depression, panic, and low self-esteem; CBT offers structured exercises and homework to translate insights into everyday changes. He also uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, empathetic environment where a client’s perspective guides the pace and focus of sessions, which supports exploration of life purpose, forgiveness, and relationship patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are incorporated when emotional regulation, impulsivity, or intense distress are central concerns, offering concrete tools for managing reactions and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Douglas works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their goals and preferences, adjusting strategies over time as progress and needs evolve. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy aligns with what the client hopes to accomplish.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling and communication style. These formats make it easier to access consistent support from a licensed professional without geographic constraints, and they allow clients to engage in skill practice and check-ins in ways that match their daily routines.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem issues, depression, and ADHD, and offers support for related areas such as body image, impulsivity, and panic symptoms.
What is his therapeutic style?
His approach combines client-centered care with structured techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and elements of DBT and mindfulness to build practical coping skills and insight.
What background and experience does he have?
He has seven years of professional experience providing mental health services and tailors treatment plans to align with each client’s priorities and needs.
Where is he licensed to practice?
He is licensed as an LCMHC in North Carolina with license number NC LCMHC 12097.
Does he offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Services are provided in English, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on scheduling and preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Pricing varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

Body imageCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

7+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English