About me

I’m Ann Marie, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and the founder of Wild Azalea Counseling, a virtual practice serving adults, teens, and children across North Carolina.

I provide warm, down-to-earth therapy that’s collaborative, trauma-informed, and rooted in genuine connection. My approach blends clinical depth with care that meets you where you are. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, I offer a steady space to explore what’s going on.

My Clinical Approach

Therapy should feel like a space that’s truly yours. I draw from several evidence-based modalities to support healing, including:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): practical tools for managing intense emotions, staying grounded, and building healthier relationships

  • Polyvagal Theory: understanding how your nervous system responds to stress, safety, and connection

  • Attachment Theory: exploring how early relationships shape how you relate to yourself and others

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): a structured way to process distressing experiences without needing to relive every detail

Diagnoses & Populations

Diagnoses can help guide treatment and meet insurance needs, but they’re only one part of the picture. I believe people are more than any label or category. If a diagnosis is part of our work together, we’ll discuss it collaboratively and make sure it feels accurate and aligned with your experience.

Since 2015, I’ve supported children, teens, families, and adults from a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds—primarily in community mental health settings. I continue to provide services in those spaces while offering care through Wild Azalea Counseling for those seeking support outside traditional systems.

Why I Became a Therapist

I was raised to be a helper, but mental health wasn’t something people talked about where I’m from. Over time, I saw how much people carry and how healing it can be to have a space where you don’t have to do that alone. That’s what drew me to this work.

I became a therapist to offer the kind of compassionate, nonjudgmental support I wish more people had access to. I love seeing people show up for themselves and each other. Whether things feel heavy or hopeful, I’m here to sit alongside you and walk through it together.

The Heart Behind Wild Azalea Counseling

Wild Azalea Counseling was named after the flowers my grandfather planted to attract hummingbirds, my grandmother’s favorite. Their quiet devotion taught me the meaning of relationships: showing up consistently and growing through challenges. The vibrant yard they cultivated and the stories shared on their porch swing inspired the logo and the heart of this practice.

Some of my fondest childhood memories come from visiting the Appalachian Mountains with my family. I’m honored to now be part of this resilient and welcoming community. The warmth, strength, and complexity of Appalachia deeply influence how I engage in my work as a counselor.

Outside the Office

When I’m not working, you’ll often find me hiking or watching a game with my husband, walking my dog Koda, binge-watching a comfort show, or curled up with a good book. These simple moments recharge me and keep me connected to what truly matters.