The Counseling Group, PA

The Counseling Group, PA The Counseling Group is a private counseling practice founded in 1981.

We are a private psychology practice providing quality psychological and counseling services in the unifour area since 1980. We are the the area's leading provider of Employee Assistance Programs and Student Assistance Programs. We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals and families and improving the productivity of businesses and organizations.

08/29/2026

Meet our counselors. ✨ 💜

08/20/2026

Dear clients and friends,

We have exciting news to share about our team. As you know, Megan Martinez has been a vital part of The Counseling Group as a clinician since 2022, helping many of you on your healing journeys.

Today, we are thrilled to announce that Megan is officially a partner and co-owner of our practice!
She has always shown incredible dedication to our clients and our mission. In this new role, she will help lead our practice into the future while continuing to see clients.

Please join us in celebrating her new role as an owner!

Megan Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling with an emphasis on School Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2015. She completed additional graduate-level coursework in Clinical Mental Health with Capella University in 2022. She served as an elementary school counselor for six years before joining The Counseling Group. Megan is an EMDR trained therapist, speaks fluent Spanish, and uses play therapy and expressive art techniques to enhance her sessions with children and adolescents.

She specializes in:
Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Trauma and PTSD
Grief
Depression
Neurodivergence: Autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges
Anxiety
OCD
Life Transitions
Social Skills Training

🎒📚 It’s almost that time again! Back to school. We’re starting to see the posts, receives the updates, and feel the chan...
08/12/2026

🎒📚 It’s almost that time again! Back to school. We’re starting to see the posts, receives the updates, and feel the change in the air.

A new school year can bring excitement, but it can also bring anxiety, big emotions, new routines, and a lot of pressure for both kids and parents.

As the school year begins, remember:

It’s okay if your child needs time to adjust.
Anxiety can show up as irritability, stomachaches, headaches, or avoidance.
Connection comes before correction.
Routines can help children feel safe and prepared.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
Asking for help is a strength.

This school year, let’s focus on more than grades. Let’s focus on emotional well-being, confidence, connection, and resilience.

If your child or your family is struggling with the transition back to school, therapy can provide a safe space to work through those challenges. Reach out to learn more about our counseling services and how we can support your family this school year.

Here’s to a school year filled with growth, learning, and a little more grace. 🍎

We’re a week out from the World Cup and so much more happened than scoring goals! Check out these players speaking out a...
07/25/2026

We’re a week out from the World Cup and so much more happened than scoring goals! Check out these players speaking out about mental health. ⚽️

Photo credits from MSWcommunity.

It’s Greta’s 5th birthday! Join us in celebrating her.Happy Birthday Greta!!! 🎉 🍰 🐾
07/10/2026

It’s Greta’s 5th birthday! Join us in celebrating her.

Happy Birthday Greta!!! 🎉 🍰 🐾

The National Alliance on Mental Illness highlights how the extreme heat poses risks for individuals experiencing mental ...
07/09/2026

The National Alliance on Mental Illness highlights how the extreme heat poses risks for individuals experiencing mental illness, check out these tips and education provided by NAMI:

Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for people living with serious mental illness.

Swipe for tips on staying safe, recognizing the warning signs of heat-related illness and protecting yourself during hot weather.

Remember: Never stop taking your medication because of hot weather. If you have concerns, talk with your prescribing health care provider.

Need support or have questions about mental health? The NAMI HelpLine is here to help.
- Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Text: "HelpLine" to 62640
- Explore: nami.org/help

POV: You’re giving yourself the same compassion you give everyone else. 💛We’re often quick to offer grace, encouragement...
06/30/2026

POV: You’re giving yourself the same compassion you give everyone else. 💛

We’re often quick to offer grace, encouragement, and understanding to friends, family, and even strangers but struggle to extend that same kindness to ourselves.

This week, challenge yourself to notice your inner dialogue. Would you say those things to someone you love?

Try replacing self-criticism with self-compassion:
✨ “I’m doing the best I can.”
✨ “It’s okay to make mistakes.”
✨ “I can learn and grow from this.”

Being kind to yourself isn’t selfish it’s an important part of mental wellness.

☀️ Summer is supposed to feel relaxing… so why are you feeling exhausted?The reality is that summer can bring:• Changes ...
06/28/2026

☀️ Summer is supposed to feel relaxing… so why are you feeling exhausted?

The reality is that summer can bring:
• Changes in routine
• Childcare challenges
• Financial stress from vacations and activities
• Increased social obligations
• Pressure to “make memories”

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, you’re not failing at summer. Your nervous system may simply be carrying more than usual.

This week, ask yourself:
✨ What can I take off my plate?
✨ What can wait?
✨ What do I actually need right now?

Sometimes self-care isn’t adding more it’s doing less.

What has been the most stressful part of summer for you? Feel free to let us know below or give us a call and make it a session!

06/26/2026

Happy Friday!

Feeling anxious? Try the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique 🌿

When anxiety pulls you into the “what ifs,” grounding can help bring you back to the present moment.

Take a slow breath and notice:

👀 5 things you can see
✋ 4 things you can touch
👂 3 things you can hear
👃 2 things you can smell
👅 1 thing you can taste

This simple exercise helps shift your focus away from anxious thoughts and reconnects you with your surroundings.

Other quick stress-reducing techniques:
Take a short walk
Practice box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4)
Stretch your body
Step outside for fresh air
Name your emotions without judging them

Remember: Managing anxiety isn’t about making it disappear, it’s about building skills that help you navigate it with greater confidence and self-compassion.

Which coping skill helps you the most when stress starts to build?

New system, same support. 💙We have officially moved to SimplePractice! Think of it as a one-stop shop for appointments, ...
06/16/2026

New system, same support. 💙

We have officially moved to SimplePractice! Think of it as a one-stop shop for appointments, paperwork, billing, secure messaging, and telehealth sessions. We’re excited about this upgrade and can’t wait for you to experience the added convenience. Check out the information below for everything you need to know! ✨

Please don’t hesitate to ask or reach out if you have questions, thank you!

Address

106 3rd Avenue NE
Hickory, NC
28601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18283229130

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