Edwin Arce, Jr.
My name is Edwin Arce, Jr., and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina with over seven years of experience in the mental health field. I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are navigating a wide range of mental health and life challenges. While I primarily serve veterans, my true passion lies in helping all people move toward a place of authenticity, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being. I believe in meeting individuals where they are and supporting them as they explore their strengths, confront their struggles, and work toward meaningful personal growth.
First session
In your first session with me at Growth Therapy, you can expect a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment where your voice is heard and valued. This initial meeting is all about beginning to build a trusting therapeutic relationship grounded in empathy, respect, and collaboration. I believe the foundation of effective therapy is teamwork—together, we will explore what brought you to this space and begin identifying what growth and healing look like for you. I understand that taking the first step toward therapy can feel vulnerable, and I deeply honor the courage it takes to show up for yourself in this way. During our session, I will ask you about your current concerns, past experiences, and what goals or outcomes you hope to achieve through therapy. This isn't a rushed or one-size-fits-all process. Instead, it’s a thoughtful dialogue where we work side-by-side to figure out how to best tailor the therapy experience to meet your unique needs, preferences, and life circumstances. You can also expect us to clarify the structure of our sessions going forward—what to expect week to week, how progress is tracked, and how we’ll navigate challenges as they arise. I welcome your feedback from the start, and I’ll encourage you to share what feels helpful and what doesn’t. Therapy is most effective when it feels like a partnership, and I want you to feel empowered in your own process. Whether we’re working on managing anxiety, navigating life transitions, addressing trauma, or simply seeking more clarity and balance, my role is to support, guide, and walk with you—not ahead of you. I incorporate empathy not only in the way I listen, but in how I respond—with compassion, honesty, and care. Ultimately, my goal is to help you identify and move toward the kind of change and self-understanding that leads to lasting growth. No matter where you’re starting from, we’ll work together to define the steps that are right for you, and I’ll be here to support you as you take them.
Strengths
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the combination of deep clinical training and real-world experience working with individuals navigating some of life’s most complex challenges. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’ve spent years supporting veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness—populations often coping with overlapping issues such as combat trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. These experiences have shaped a grounded, compassionate, and client-centered approach to therapy. I know that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that each person’s story deserves to be met with empathy, patience, and practical tools that support growth. My training in Motivational Interviewing helps clients tap into their own reasons for change, while my experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression (CBT-D) allows me to offer structured support for identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and building more balanced, adaptive perspectives. What makes me unique is my ability to hold space for deep emotional work while also helping clients move toward measurable, meaningful improvements in their daily life. Whether someone is dealing with trauma, adjusting to life transitions, or just feeling stuck, my goal is to help them feel seen, supported, and equipped to take the next step forward.
Ideal clients
If you're reading this, chances are you’ve been carrying a heavy load for a long time—maybe too long. Whether you’re a veteran, a first responder, or someone who’s found themselves stuck in the aftermath of trauma, I want you to know this: you are not alone, and change is possible. I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced significant stress, loss, or trauma—especially those living with PTSD, anxiety, or unresolved grief. I know how these challenges can steal your sense of peace, your confidence, your sleep, and even your relationships. You may be doing your best just to get through the day, while the people around you don’t fully understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. That’s where I come in. My dream client is someone who might feel lost or overwhelmed but still has the courage to show up and say, “I don’t want to keep living like this.” You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to be willing to take that first step toward healing—and I’ll walk with you from there. Many of the people I work with are veterans who’ve experienced combat, first responders who’ve witnessed unimaginable tragedies, and everyday individuals who are grappling with a deep sense of pain that they can’t seem to shake. You may be struggling to feel safe, to trust others, or to move forward after what’s happened to you. You might feel stuck in a cycle of guilt, anger, or emotional numbness, unsure of how to break free. In our work together, we’ll focus on helping you reconnect—with yourself, your values, and the life you want to lead. Using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Supportive Psychotherapy, we’ll explore the thoughts and patterns that are keeping you from living the way you want to. We’ll work on building coping strategies that actually work in real-life situations, not just in theory. But more than anything, I’ll meet you where you are, without judgment. I believe in creating a space where you can be your most genuine self, even if that self feels broken or raw right now. My goal is to help you move from survival mode into a place where peace, clarity, and purpose are possible again. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore. If you’re ready to take a step toward healing, I’m here to support you—not just as a clinician, but as someone who truly believes in your ability to reclaim your life.
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative, client-centered approach to support you in exploring and resolving ambivalence about change. Rather than directing or persuading, I help you identify your own reasons and motivation for making meaningful changes in your life. Through open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations, we work together to strengthen your confidence and commitment toward your goals.
Supportive
In my practice, I use Supportive Psychotherapy to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can express your thoughts and feelings openly. This approach focuses on building your self-esteem, reinforcing your strengths, and helping you manage stress and challenges in daily life. Through active listening, encouragement, and practical guidance, I work with you to promote emotional stability and resilience.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. With this approach, we work together to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges. CBT is a structured, goal-oriented method that provides practical tools to manage anxiety, depression, and stress, empowering you to make lasting, positive changes.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense C016807