Hi, I’m TJ
TJ (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSW-A) who earned her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also holds dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology and German from Duke University.
Tj specializes in areas including neurodivergence/autism, the LGBTQI community and working with children who struggle with big emotions and behaviors. Tj has specialized training in Parent Child Interaction Therapy, thus she brings a wealth of knowledge in guiding parents in managing hard parenting interactions.
TJ believes young people deserve nothing less than the best from the adults in their lives, and that conviction shapes every part of her clinical work. She is intentional about incorporating strategies that reflect her commitment to a decolonized, care-rooted approach to therapy. Combining a focus on social-emotional learning with elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, and child-centered play therapy, she engages children, adolescents, and adults in exploring what it means to stay grounded and lean on the trusted people in their lives — even as systemic and societal pressures increasingly push us to disconnect from ourselves and our communities.
TJ creates space for clients to process their experiences in whatever way feels most authentic to them, often moving beyond traditional talk therapy to do so.
Empathy, curiosity, and calm guide TJ's work with every client. She builds relationships with youth and their caregivers that feel genuine and supportive, and she is dedicated to joining with young people as true partners in their journey toward lasting growth.
For in-person, in-office sessions, TJ is always masked — a precaution she maintains both professionally and in her personal life. She understands that people take precautions for many different reasons and respects that everyone's choices around health precautions look different. Her goal is always to build trusting relationships with clients and their families, free of judgment or pressure.
TJ joined Oak City Counseling in summer 2026 and is currently welcoming new clients: children from birth through age 10, teenagers, and young adults. She's excited to be part of a team of clinicians dedicated to deepening how they support young people's wellbeing through youth-centered care.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology: Duke University
Bachelor of Arts, German Language: Duke University
Master in Social Work: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH)
Licenses & Certifications
