Terri Chester , LCMHC

Terri Chester brings more than three decades of experience to her counseling practice, combining formal training with a varied background in educational and community settings. She earned a master’s degree in counseling from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC in 1989 and completed an advanced certificate in expressive arts therapy at the European Graduate School of Expressive Arts Therapy in Leuk-Stadt, Switzerland in 1999. Her work over 31 years has included roles in public schools, community colleges, universities, mental health agencies, private practice, and wilderness therapy.

Terri's approach is strength-based and client-centered, focusing on building existing resources while helping clients discover new ones. She views therapy as a collaborative process and serves as a supportive resource and sounding board. In partnership with clients she teaches skills for emotional expression, self-care, problem-solving, decision-making, and planning new life directions. Cognitive and cognitive-behavioral techniques are regularly used for problem-solving and goal setting, and these are often complemented by experiential methods such as mindfulness, expressive arts, body-centered techniques, and Gestalt-informed exercises.

Her primary clinical focus includes anxiety, depression, anger management, grief and loss, processing trauma, major life events, and developmental transitions like blending families, divorce, relocation, and career change. With a background in outdoor and experiential education as well as expressive arts therapy, Terri emphasizes self-reflection, increased self-awareness, and practical coping strategies to support meaningful change. She holds the credential LCMHC, which stands for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Terri often integrates client-centered therapy into her online work, which emphasizes empathy, active listening, and tailoring sessions to each person's goals. This approach helps clients feel heard and supported while exploring personal strengths and values.

She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is practical and goal-focused, and it can be useful for addressing anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills are incorporated when clients need tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. These skills-oriented techniques can be especially helpful for managing strong emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Terri works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they evaluate progress and adapt strategies as therapy unfolds.

Online sessions via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging provide flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to maintain continuity of care across life transitions. These formats allow clients to access licensed professionals from their own environments while engaging in the same therapeutic strategies used in traditional settings.