Aetna Therapists in North Carolina

Accessing therapy covered by Aetna insurance can simplify and reduce the cost of therapy, helping you find therapist that fits your budget. With 160 verified therapists in North Carolina accepting Aetna, you can choose from therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy to address concerns like anxiety, depression, or major life changes. Each Grow Therapy-verified provider listed below is open to new clients and has upcoming availability, making it easier to connect with a therapist who meets your needs within the scope of your Aetna plan.

Find therapists near you in

Charlotte

Availability updated: 7/5/2025

Jenni Schmidt

(she/her)

Jenni Schmidt, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hi there, I'm Jenni! Feeling stuck and frustrated? Struggling to deal with the loss of a loved one? Trying to find balance in your life while coping with chronic illness? Expecting an upcoming change? Not able to sleep or stay on top of things in your life? I am here to help! Therapy cannot be effective if we are not meeting your specific needs and goals. I want to meet you where you are and together identify a path forward. I like to understand you, your values, and your background while also giving you solution-focused interventions you can utilize to make changes. If talking it through without homework is the way you want to go, that is fine too! We are all capable of change and moving forward but sometimes it is the dialogues in our head, relationships, or other factors that are getting in our way. Therapy is a great place to work through those and be more connected with what you value in your life. Let's work together!

William Massengill

(he/him)

William Massengill, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
9 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I'm William. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) trained to help people find solutions to their problems and concerns. I received my Masters in Social Work from East Carolina University and I have experience working with all ages. Do you feel the pressure of career, family, children and a world full of tremendous change? I am here to help you maneuver what can seem like a complex maze. Each of us has the power to grow and face challenges and sometimes we just need someone to listen and help us find the right direction. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I love to work with all types of people to help them live and achieve their best life. Seeking and receiving therapy can be scary for some people. But it doesn't have to be scary. Therapy should be your time to enter a place where you will feel safe and respected to share your deepest thoughts and desires. Together we will work to help you achieve your goals.

Katie Quin

Katie Quin, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
12 years of experience
Virtual
Hello and welcome. I'm Katie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 12 years of experience working with diverse populations. Finding a therapist can be intimidating, but I'm here to support you in your journey in whatever way I can. As an added bonus, my pitties Gumbo and Yoshi will want to introduce themselves and offer virtual support in our sessions! I'm currently accepting new clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship conflict, and self-esteem/body image issues. I also have experience treating military service members and their families.

Lynn Childress

(she/her)

Lynn Childress, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
13 years of experience
Virtual
Are you looking to improve your overall mental health? Do you struggle with anxiety or depression? Do you want to change the way that you view yourself or life itself? I give tools that can help you overcome the lies that you have been told about who you are and discover the truths about yourself. I am an LCMHCS and I specialize in anxiety, depression, and trauma. My philosophy is that no adversity is a waste of your time if you learn from it, become stronger because of it, and help others through it. That is what I do.

Chris Everhart

(he/him)

Chris Everhart, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
20 years of experience
Virtual
Therapist in the behavioral health field since 2004. Have worked with adults male and female, couples, parents, adolescents with behavioral and development needs. Specialty in Autism specific to psychoeducation, parent training, and couples therapy. Experience in the home, community, school setting with therapy. Master’s degree in clinical counseling fully licensed -and proficient in providing clinical supervision to others. Has lead teams of up to 20 clinicians.

SJ Avery

(they/them)

SJ Avery, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCSW
8 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina. I graduated in 2020 with my Master's of Social Work from Western Carolina University, and I've been working with youth and families for over 15 years, 8 of those being in the mental health field. I help neurodivergent, queer, and gender-expansive adolescents, teens, and young adults find ways to live authentically as themselves in a world that can be unkind and harsh. I also support people who have had negative experiences with therapy in the past and want to try again with a more person-centered and affirming approach.

Greg Jones

Greg Jones, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
15 years of experience
Virtual
I believe therapists are only wounded survivors with education and training, who seek to help their fellow person face life's difficulties. Just like you, I have faced hardship and continue to work every day towards a better self. I aim to provide my clients with an experience that puts them in a position to succeed. My space is a judgment-free zone, with work taken at your pace. I don’t have the magic solution to solve your problems, but I am well-equipped to help you find those answers within yourself. I encourage you to take a leap of faith for yourself, as life changes are achievable when individual ideas collide with positive actions.

Maggie Timmerman

(she/her)

Maggie Timmerman, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
4 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- currently licensed in NC and seeking licensure in Georgia. I am also a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate. I received my Masters from the University of Georgia and have been practicing since 2020. I wear many hats outside of my role as a therapist, one being a new mother. This transition into motherhood has given me a new lens to see life through. I am also wife, daughter, outdoors enjoyer, cook, and exercise enthusiast. We all wear many hats or view the world through different lenses which help us relate to one another in this wild world we live in. As a therapist, I believe I bring a compassionate and calm energy to the space I share with clients. I show up as my authentic self which means I can be a little irreverent, I will gently challenge you, and I will probably laugh at jokes that, as a therapist, I shouldn't. I am not a "blank slate" kind of therapist, but I also won't tell you what choices you should make as I believe the client is the expert in their own life. I walk along side my clients and hold space where you need it- whether that is you needing an empathetic ear or assistance with making life changing decisions. I recognize that it is a privilege to do what I do. I look forward walking along side you!

Kenneth J. Stephenson

Kenneth J. Stephenson, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
29 years of experience
Virtual
I believe there is power in learning to balance our lives emotionally and spiritually. I have 25-plus years of experience as a counselor, and have been able to help clients find emotional and general life balance. I draw from primary treatment modalities of Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Solution Focused, Psychodynamic, and Existential Theories. At the conclusion of counseling, clients should be able to actively deal with their internal states in a way that allows them to feel more at peace with increased self-esteem, and well-being.

LK Kauffman Bissell

(they/them)

LK Kauffman Bissell, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am a licensed mental health counselor in both North Carolina and Florida. I do mostly telehealth and I do in-person sessions for folks in the WNC area. I have been a therapist for 6 years. I am certified in EMDR and love to help other therapists hone their EMDR skills, which in turn helps me to be a better EMDR therapsit. The therapeutic space I share with clients is a sacred space. I attend trainings that I believe help to create that sacred space. I also really love to use humor if/when it is possible as I do believe laughter can be healing and connective.

Rob Pritz

(he/him)

Rob Pritz, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
15 years of experience
Virtual
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor with over 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services to individuals and families. I am dedicated to the field of psychotherapy and committed to the client/therapist relationship. I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palo Alto University, CA. As a therapist, I am non-judgmental, empathetic and eager to see you become your best self. I am open minded and value the art of listening. I believe in the power of gained insight and self awareness. I trust that you can succeed in whatever it is you set your mind to. As a therapist and client team- We got this!

Robert Brown

(he/him)

Robert Brown, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
30 years of experience
Virtual
Hi there! I am Robert Brown, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based out of North Carolina. I have been practicing for 30 years and have a focus on adults who have experienced depressed mood, anxiety, grief, or trauma. It's always been a privilege for me to serve folks who are ready to create a lasting and meaningful change through our journey together.

Jonathon Payne

(he/him)

Jonathon Payne, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
20 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, my name is Jonathon Payne and I am a practicing Licensed Clinical Mental Health Clinician, LCMHC, with the State of North Carolina with over 18 years of experience. Most of my work experience has come from working with individuals in crisis settings and or situations. The work has always been challenging, humbling, and rewarding. It has taught me the value of true genuineness and the importance of being able to connect with people and build working relationships. I love therapy. I respect the therapeutic process and value the hard work and introspection it requires. Therapy is something that I am passionate about. Everyday it provides me an opportunity to help others and learn from others. I am proud of the things I have learned, but even more humbled and optimistic of things that I continue to learn. One thing I would tell you is that a have a real passion and commitment to counseling and the therapeutic process. It is and has been what I love to do. I put tremendous value on the importance communication, language, and building a good therapeutic relationship or rapport. Its important to me that you, the patient feel safe, heard, and valued. My counseling style is very laid back and supportive, with a very non-judgmental stance. However, I am not afraid to roll my sleeves up and work hard. I believe in being supportive, motivating, and challenging. Its important that you have the opportunity to work hard, learn, grow, while developing realistic attainable and measurable goals.

Melissa Stokes

(she/her)

Melissa Stokes, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
7 years of experience
Virtual
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) that provides virtual therapy over telehealth. I earned my Masters Degree in 2017 from UNC Charlotte and have been a therapist for over 7 years now. My specialities are working with teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and adhd. I also work with clients struggling with relationships, school/career stress, insomnia, attachment issues and more. I enjoy working with various populations such as LGBTQ, single parents, and minorities.

Alan Cassell

(he/him)

Alan Cassell, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Massachusetts. I have a Ph.D. in psychology and counseling from Regent University and many years of my own experiences to draw from that make me a grounded understanding partner to help get you back on track. I can help you find the sources of your stress and develop ways to deal with them or if you have lost a loved one, I can help you to understand the pain, process the loss, and find your strength to move forward.

Chip Palmer

Chip Palmer, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
30 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and licensed clinical addiction counselor (LCAS.) I went to graduate school at the University of Vermont and have provided therapy services for more than 30 years in outpatient mental health settings as well as in inpatient psychiatric and addiction treatment settings. I'm in long-term recovery from alcohol and opiate dependence. Fun fact: I worked on an offshore lobster boat in the Gulf of Maine for 4 years.

Donavon Kirby

Donavon Kirby, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
20 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I'm Donavon. I am a counselor with almost 20 years of experience. Some words that folks have used to describe me are encouraging, supportive, compassionate, and understanding. One of the things I feel I am especially good at is helping people find the connections to the origins of their problems. Do I spend days or weeks having you relive the past? No. But, being able to understand how your problems or negative coping strategies of today developed, is an important step in doing things better in the present.

Aaron McGinley

Aaron McGinley, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
9 years of experience
Virtual
You deserve support, and if you are coming with your partner , you both do, no matter how hard the road ahead may seem. You need someone that will strive to understand you, but commit to supporting you in moving towards change that feels meaningful. While I will never pretend to know your exact pain, I do find that my experience juggling life as a parent, a partner, and in demanding careers such as corporate leadership and skilled trades have often helped me find a traction point to connect with you , so I can support you.

Carson Nance

(he/him)

Carson Nance, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
7 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I am Carson Nance, a dedicated and compassionate mental health therapist specializing in children's well-being. With a deep passion for helping young minds navigate their emotional journeys, I am committed to providing a safe and supportive space where children can express themselves freely and discover their inner strength. My journey into the field of child mental health began with a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals. Witnessing the struggles and unique challenges children face inspired me to pursue a career focused on their psychological development and well-being. My specialized training and education have equipped me with a solid foundation in child psychology, developmental theories, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. I continuously seek to expand my knowledge and stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in the field. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. Witnessing the transformative power of therapy and seeing the resilience and growth of the children I work with is immensely rewarding. It is my heartfelt mission to help children develop the necessary tools and skills to navigate life's challenges.

Georgia King

(she/her)

Georgia King, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
I am licensed in North Carolina with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, PTSD, depression and addiction issues and I am genuinely interested in your story. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. If you are seeking meaning and purpose for your existence allow me to assist you in your discovery process. Together we can identify what is needed to create your best life experience.

Andrew Sell

Andrew Sell, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
5 years of experience
Virtual
Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck? Do you strive for breakthrough but somehow seem to always fall short? Do you want to finally achieve progress and reach your goals? I can help by utilizing psychological tools to push past these barriers and into a more fulfilled life. Together, we will embark on a collaborative journey, joining our efforts to carefully explore and determine your unique goals and aspirations for treatment, ensuring that we align our strategies to meet and exceed your expectations.

Rebecca Bright

(She/Her)

Rebecca Bright, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCMHC
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm Rebecca! I've been a therapist for nearly 15 years. My specialties are neurodiversity and trauma. In my trauma work, I help clients regain a sense of safety in the world and (re)learn how to trust their own bodies and nervous systems. I also help my clients understand how to work with their unique neurotype rather than against it.

Mark Gough

(he/him)

Mark Gough, LCMHC - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCMHC
28 years of experience
Virtual
My practice over the past 30 years as an LCMHC has allowed me to help people of diverse backgrounds overcome a variety of life's challenges. I help people by meeting with them, learning about their problems and discovering ways for them to feel more at ease. The most common issues that I help people with involve their moods (for example sadness, worrying, anger or stress) and with their relationships. All types of people come to see me; people just like you who have hit a bump in the road and want to help themselves feel better again. I've focused on adults and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, controlling anger, family conflict, substance abuse, and behavioral issues. If you're looking for someone to help, I'd welcome your call!

Jenny Harris

(she/her)

Jenny Harris, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCSW
17 years of experience
Virtual
Hi there! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina, with a Master’s degree from NC State University and a Global Mental Health Trauma and Recovery Certificate from Harvard Medical School. With over 15 years of experience, I have worked in diverse settings, including emergency rooms, private practice, and non-profit organizations. As a Christian provider, I am passionate about supporting young adults struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty as they navigate life transitions and seek direction.

Jessie Smith

(he/him)

Jessie Smith, LCSW - North Carolina Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
4 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of North Carolina. I have experience working with adults, adults with SPMI, adolescents, and families seeking support to overcome trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, parenting issues, anger, self-esteem, codependency, and other challenges that arise in life. I completed a Bachelor's and Master of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a minor in substance abuse. I utilize a collaborative and holistic approach to helping individuals overcome their challenges because they’re experts in their lives.

Frequently asked questions

Why filter by North Carolina rather than a city like Charlotte?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across North Carolina from Raleigh to Greensboro! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in North Carolina.

Will my therapist take Aetna?

Yes! If you use Aetna you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Aetna you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.