Courtney Surigao, LCMHC
Narrative-focused counselor helping people find direction
Details
| Name | Courtney Surigao |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCMHC |
| Based in | North Carolina |
| Licensed in | North Carolina |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 18 |
About Courtney
Courtney Surigao is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina with 18 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or exhausted find clearer direction and renewed hope. Her style is straightforward and relational, inviting people to tell their stories and discover strengths they may not see.
Courtney uses Narrative Therapy alongside Client-Centered and cognitive approaches to help people make sense of painful experiences.
Background and approach
Sessions often involve talking through current challenges, clarifying values, and noticing repeated life patterns that keep problems alive. She also uses solution-focused ideas so short-term goals can lead to practical change. People come to her for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, stress, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, relationship and intimacy issues, and sleep or eating struggles.
She also supports those facing chronic illness, caregiver strain, blended family issues, adoption and foster care questions, and end-of-life concerns. Courtney believes growth happens in honest, steady relationships where people feel heard and respected. She may suggest simple between-session tasks such as worksheets or small experiments to practice new ways of responding.
The work can be challenging, but she partners with people to set realistic goals and take practical steps toward a life they want. Her approach respects each person's faith, values, and background while focusing on clear, manageable change. Sessions are offered in English and are available to clients inside and outside the United States.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief among the things Courtney works with, alongside the areas below.
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Adoption and foster care
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trichotillomania
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Courtney among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Courtney among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Courtney among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Courtney among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Courtney directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Courtney directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Practical Approaches Work Online
Courtney combines Narrative Therapy with Client-Centered and Cognitive Behavioral approaches to help people reframe their stories and try new responses. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and looks for alternative plots that reduce suffering and increase agency. Client-Centered work emphasizes listening, acceptance, and supporting the person's own pace and priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and tests small changes to improve mood and functioning.Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. Courtney will listen to your goals, try some approaches, and adjust as you learn what helps most. Together you set achievable steps and decide when to try short practice exercises or worksheets between sessions.
Online formats like video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video is useful for fuller conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be better when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in fits a work break. Live chat or messaging lets people share thoughts in writing or check in between meetings. These options increase flexibility and make regular, steady work on goals more practical.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
Courtney works with many life issues including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting struggles, relationship and intimacy concerns, stress, and mood disorders such as bipolar.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is narrative and client-centered with practical elements from cognitive and solution-focused therapies to set goals and try small changes between sessions.
What is her experience background?
She has 18 years of experience working with a wide variety of people and life situations, drawing on multiple therapeutic approaches to tailor the work.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
Courtney holds an NC LCMHC and practices from North Carolina.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she also accepts clients located outside the United States.
What formats are available for online sessions?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost structured for therapy?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Courtney are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Courtney where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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