- CBT techniques
- Solution-focused work
- Narrative approaches
About Courtney
Courtney Surigao is an NC LCMHC with 18 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing relationship strain, grief, parenting challenges, anxiety, depression, and life changes. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings to notice change and build skills.
Courtney describes counseling as a place to sort through pain, anger, confusion, or deep weariness. She uses straightforward conversation to identify what feels most urgent. Together with clients she clarifies values, spots strengths, and sets small, achievable goals.
Her practice commonly draws on client-centered listening alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused techniques. That means much of the work looks at current patterns of thought and behavior, then experiments with different actions to reduce distress. Homework and brief exercises are often part of the plan so progress continues outside sessions.
She also integrates Narrative Therapy and Emotionally-Focused ideas when useful, helping people reframe their stories and understand emotional bonds that affect relationships. Practical tools for stress, sleep, eating concerns, and anger management are used when they fit a person's situation.
Courtney mentions experience with adoption and foster care issues, blended family dynamics, chronic illness and caregiving stress, and end-of-life concerns. Her approach is collaborative and goal-oriented, aimed at helping people find workable next steps when life feels stuck.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on attentive listening and reflecting what matters to the client. It helps when someone needs to clarify values, feel heard, and identify practical next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts influence feelings and actions and uses brief exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep, and eating concerns. Emotionally-Focused ideas help people recognize emotional responses in relationships and name what they need from others.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That means approaches can be mixed or adjusted as progress unfolds, and the plan can change if something is not helpful.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Many people find remote sessions helpful because they can fit meetings into a busy day, reduce travel time, or choose a shorter check-in when needed. Online work also makes it easier to continue therapy if life circumstances change, while still focusing on concrete exercises and homework that carry over into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
North Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with relationship issues, grief, parenting strain, anxiety, depression, trauma and related concerns listed in her practice areas.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She uses client-centered conversation along with Cognitive Behavioral and Solution-Focused methods to set small goals and try concrete changes between sessions.
What experience does she bring to this work?
Courtney has 18 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of life challenges and family-related issues.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an NC LCMHC licensed in North Carolina and practices from that state.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered to international clients; sessions are conducted in English.
What session formats are offered?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.