Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Fayetteville, NC

Sometimes life can feel like you're running on a treadmill—moving constantly but staying in the exact same place. Hard or painful events can be a single, monumental moment or the quiet, cumulative weight of carrying too much for too long. A former colleague once said, "I might not be the one who caused the problems in my life but I'm the one who has to fix them." Therapy works best as a collaborative partnership built on radical compassion, zero judgment, and genuine human connection. I believe everyone possesses an innate capacity to heal, and it would be my privilege to help you rediscover yours. 

My practice balances deep empathy with practical, evidence-based techniques. By blending CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered, trauma-informed care, we customize sessions to fit your unique needs. I specialize in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those navigating gender-affirming care, as well as adults with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma. 

Healing isn't about erasing your past—it's about changing how the past lives in your present. I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey. Together, we will create a space where you can move out of survival mode and step into a life rooted in safety, resilience, and genuine peace. Let's figure out how to get you moving again, together.

Dr. Brooks began his career in mental health and addictions counseling in 1992. Since that time, he has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings as varied as rural community clinics, hospitals, managing clinics in urban communities, directing an international employee assistance program, university counseling centers, and developing & managing treatment programs for executives and professionals. Populations he has served have been just as varied—addictions (both substance abuse and behavioral), mental health, individuals & families, adoption, indigent persons, athletes, executives, and professionals. He has held faculty positions at 6 universities and colleges in psychology and counseling programs.

Dr. Brooks earned his bachelor's in Psychology from East Carolina University, his master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a master's in Substance Abuse Counseling from ECU. After working for a few years, he returned to ECU and earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Employee Assistance Program counseling and later an EdS in Counselor Education. He completed his academic career at NCSU where he received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision. Dr. Brooks worked full-time as a therapist while in school and brings a wealth of practical as well as academic experiences to his practice. His counseling style is based in the philosophies of Stoicism, existentialism and the work of Viktor Frankl's logotherapy using the theories of cognitive development and the tools of cognitive behavioral and rational-emotive therapies

We have good days and bad days. Or we can say we have growing days. Growing days are those occasions when we are challenged to learn, change, and improve our lives and the lives of those that are most important to us.

Victoria Smith is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience working with clients with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, loss/grief, addiction, academic stress, everyday life stressors, and legal concerns. She prioritizes a collaborative approach with clients to help them reach their goals and see issues in their lives as things to be solved, not problems holding them back.

Victoria has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Mount Olive. As therapy is not one-size-fits-all, she uses varying techniques based on client needs. These may include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness methods.

Victoria believes in building a strong foundation of trust with clients to allow for a greater understanding of one another that will lead to change. She strives to create a safe space where you can express all feelings without fear of judgment. Victoria looks forward to partnering with you as you walk through this journey.

I am Wendy C. Krull, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience in the field of social work. I have had the privilege of supporting individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, domestic and sexual violence, and co-occurring medical and mental health issues. I earned my Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Virginia Commonwealth University.

I am Wendy C. Krull, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience in the field of social work. I have had the privilege of supporting individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, domestic and sexual violence, and co-occurring medical and mental health issues. I earned my Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Virginia Commonwealth University.

My approach is warm and collaborative, focusing on identifying each individual’s strengths and preferences. I work with individuals and groups to support their goals and treatment choices, using cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused interventions.

I am sensitive to multicultural issues and strive to understand each person’s unique viewpoint. Together, we focus on what may not be working and find ways to enhance overall wellness. I believe everyone has the capacity to grow in meaningful and life-affirming ways and create deeper connections with themselves and others.

Hi, I am Stephanie Ehrlich-Seitz. I have been a licensed clinical social worker since 2011. I initially went to school for environmental health science, but the experience of caring for my terminally ill stepmother led me to pursue a more person-centered field. I enjoy helping people reach their goals through a combination of support, education, problem solving, and coping skills. I work with clients to address factors that hinder their quality of life and interfere with achieving their goals, such as anxiety, grief, depression, low self-esteem, anger management, and difficulty with interpersonal relationships. 

I use a multi-faceted approach that includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). I am intensively trained in DBT, which uses aspects of CBT along with a focus on mindfulness and skill building in interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. 

I enjoy helping others cope with day-to-day stressors and change long-standing negative thoughts and beliefs. This allows us to offer ourselves the same compassion and understanding we would give others without a second thought. Learning to see ourselves in a more neutral and accepting way leads to greater self-esteem and decreased self-doubt and negative judgment—something all of us could use.