Brittany Winstead, LCMHC-A (She/Her)

Brittany Winstead is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate who earned her bachelor's degree in University Studies from East Carolina University and her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She brings experience from both the North Carolina community college system and elementary special education, which has deepened her understanding of the many ways individuals learn, adapt, cope, and grow throughout life.

Brittany's passion for counseling is rooted in her own journey of navigating life's challenges through connection, self-reflection, and personal growth. Raised in a conservative, rural town in North Carolina, she understands firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health and the ways societal and cultural pressures can shape emotional well-being. These lived experiences continue to inform her compassionate, trauma-informed approach and her commitment to creating a space where clients feel safe, seen, affirmed, and understood.

Brittany's connection to nature deeply influences her counseling style. She views healing as a relational and nonlinear process, much like growth in the natural world. Through a trauma-informed lens, she incorporates grounding, mindfulness, and somatic practices to support nervous system regulation and help clients reconnect with their bodies. She works collaboratively with clients to explore underlying patterns, honor protective responses, and move toward healing at a pace that feels safe, authentic, and sustainable.

Brittany works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and identity exploration. She is especially passionate about supporting healing for people with marginalized identities, including LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients. Grounded in feminist and liberatory frameworks, her work centers social justice, explores the influence of power dynamics, and acknowledges the impact of systemic oppression on mental health. Her integrative, person-centered approach recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit while honoring each client's unique story.

Brittany is trained in S.A.F.E. (Somatic Attachment Focused) EMDR, an evidence-based trauma therapy that supports clients in processing and integrating traumatic experiences. She also draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existential Therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and somatic approaches, tailoring therapy to each client's unique needs, values, and goals.

Brittany believes the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative partnership—one where clients are empowered to explore their experiences, reconnect with their authentic selves, and move toward healing with compassion, curiosity, and hope.

Healing isn't about fixing what feels broken—it's about rediscovering the parts of you that have always been whole.