Advanced Practice Mental Health and Wellness

07/16/2026

🌿 Mental Health Care That Meets You Where You Are – Florence, SC 🌿

At Advanced Practice Mental Health & Wellness, we believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality mental health care close to home.

Our Florence office is currently accepting new patients with appointments available for children, teens, and adults.

✨ Our services include:
🧠 Psychiatric evaluations & medication management
💙 Individual therapy
👨‍👩‍👧 Family therapy
❤️ Couples counseling
👧 Child & adolescent counseling
🚓 First responder support
💼 Executive stress & burnout counseling
🌱 Trauma-informed therapy
🧩 ADHD evaluations & treatment
😟 Anxiety, depression & mood disorder treatment
💔 PTSD & trauma recovery
🍽️ Eating disorder treatment

06/26/2026

We are honored to share that Advanced Practice Mental Health & Wellness of South Carolina has been named Best of South Carolina, Psychiatry practice for the 3rd year in a row!

This recognition means so much because it reflects the trust of our patients, families, community partners, and the incredible work of our team across South Carolina.

For three consecutive years, our mission has remained the same: to provide compassionate, accessible, and high-quality mental health care to the communities we serve.

Thank you to everyone who voted, supported us, referred to us, and continues to believe in the work we do. We are truly grateful.

Advanced Practice Mental Health & Wellness of South Carolina
Proudly serving South Carolina with therapy, psychiatry, family support, and community-based care.

06/25/2026

Calm Kids, Confident Caregivers was created as a practical resource guide for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals who are walking alongside children through big emotions, difficult behaviors, anxiety, frustration, and moments of overwhelm.

This work was inspired by my own journey with my son and the lessons I learned while trying to better understand what children need most when their emotions feel too big for them to manage alone. Through that experience, I became even more passionate about helping caregivers feel equipped, supported, and confident instead of unsure, overwhelmed, or alone.

The book offers simple, practical tools to help adults better understand what children may be communicating through behavior, how to respond with calm and connection, and how to help children build emotional regulation and coping skills over time.

Copies of Calm Kids, Confident Caregivers are available for purchase in the office, and it is also available on Amazon.

📘 Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/Calm-Confident-Caregivers-Laura-Crawford/dp/B0FNFBY5RW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MRWUJS4S00PU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GZ9r9Lt5LbFMsUVwXDPAhQN3v0w9FEFkEmrp23NQuuhFgvHHBqWfLiY3k5gtZkh5g22y8jbSkQsd9xnUAcajeW4xfZn6pjFUArXMA74jTvwg0iI4Ay_r8qW8RQuOuf_jqd7maDL2cE_nZUYvSAO7mJpwrpYYXaXgaJbfYvsFb8V-sz57PNDSSkty13Bc1VWP3VJ78nfH_kgsJ6A9Qvg5rNuKO7_5FOrN04qCQ4JsSek.3BfSTdKYd0TcchDtiZJOaxlDfbo3z4iCUCz4aRZW248&dib_tag=se&keywords=calm+kids+confident+caregivers&qid=1782415980&sprefix=calm+kids+confi%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1

My hope is that this guide becomes a helpful resource for families and caregivers who want to support children with more understanding, patience, and confidence.

06/08/2026

First billboard is up!!!

06/01/2026

Accepting new patients:

Stu McCollum

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, (LPCA), MA, AADC-IP
Stu is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who provides compassionate, client-centered mental health and substance use counseling. He specializes in conducting comprehensive mental health and substance use assessments and developing individualized, goal-oriented treatment plans that support meaningful and lasting change.

Stu is committed to maintaining ethical, culturally responsive care and creates a clear, structured therapeutic environment that helps clients move from insight to action. He is skilled in helping individuals explore ambivalence, strengthen motivation, and build practical coping strategies that support emotional regulation and long-term growth.

He earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. His clinical interests include behavioral change strategies, psychoeducation, emotional regulation, coping skills development, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy.

Stu believes meaningful change occurs when individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered. His therapeutic approach is grounded in the understanding that clients are the experts on their own lives. Rather than “fixing” people, he works collaboratively with clients to help them recognize their strengths, clarify their values, and take intentional steps toward the life they want to live.

05/16/2026

We are proud to announce that Advanced Practice Mental Health and Wellness has been nominated for Best of South Carolina for the third year in a row! Help us win by voting for us at guidetosouthcarolina.com/best-of/vote/health-medical in the Psychiatry Practices category! Voting closes Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM, and you can vote for us once daily until then!

Help decide the best of the Health & Medical category in South Carolina! Vote for your favorite organizations in the 2026 Best of South Carolina Awards. See nominees in this category and cast your vote to support South Carolina's top organizations in the Health & Medical category.

05/15/2026

Come visit Benzell and I at Vereen Memorial Garden for the Horry County Mental Health Awareness Walk! Today from 10-12!

05/02/2026

Big moment for our team 💙

We are so excited to officially celebrate Sophie who has passed her licensure exam and is no longer our intern, but now a full-time clinician with us starting June 1st!

Sophie is now a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and is accepting new patients 🎉

From day one, she has brought compassion, dedication, and a genuine heart for helping others. Watching her grow into this role has been something really special, and we couldn’t be more proud to have her continue her journey with us.

Sophie will be specializing in teens and young adults, creating a safe, supportive space for navigating:
• Anxiety & stress
• Life transitions
• Identity & self-esteem
• Family and peer relationships

If you’ve been looking for someone who truly connects with younger clients and meets them where they are Sophie is it.

Help us congratulate her on this well-deserved achievement 👏

📞 Now scheduling appointments!

04/01/2026

🎉 Turning 18 is a big milestone—not just in life, but in healthcare too!

Once your child reaches adulthood, HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) takes effect, meaning their medical information is legally protected as private. 🔒

Because of this law, our staff is required to follow strict guidelines to protect every patient’s confidentiality. This means that once your child turns 18, we are no longer able to share medical information, discuss care, or make decisions with parents or caregivers unless we have written permission from the patient. 📝 These rules are in place to protect your young adult’s rights and privacy.

⏳ The time leading up to their 18th birthday is a great opportunity to prepare your child to take ownership of their healthcare. Talk with them about:
• 📋 Understanding their medical history and medications
• 📅 Scheduling appointments and communicating with providers
• 💳 Knowing their insurance information
• ✍️ Signing consent forms if they want you involved in their care

Planning ahead can make this transition smoother and empower your young adult to confidently manage their health. 💙