About Us
Thea O. Silva de Souza, Ph.D.
Dr. Thea Silva de Souza is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of North Carolina. It has been her vision to run her own private practice since she was a young child and Higher Ground Psychological Services is the result of her dream. Dr. Silva de Souza's education includes a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Temple University, a Masters of Arts (MA) and Masters of Education (M.Ed. in Multicultural Counseling) from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, a Masters of Arts (MA) from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Health Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University.
Her clinical experience has been in a number of settings including hospital, outpatient and residential / inpatient settings. She has over seven years of clinical experience in Psychology, and prior to that, five years of Child Life experience (three of which were Certified). Dr. Silva de Souza specializes in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She also has experience treating behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, bereavement, PTSD, stress, relationship, dual diagnosis, as well as other developmental and psychological disturbances.
Dr. Silva de Souza has experience performing bariatric, developmental, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations for children and adults, and provides specialized Reunification Therapy for children involved in High Conflict Divorces (Forensic Psychology).
Dr. Silva de Souza recently completed certification through the
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies for MDMA assisted psychotherapy. We are looking forward to being able to provide this specialized treatment as soon as it becomes fully legal in the state of NC, which we are hoping will be by the end of 2024.
Ashley Berry, Psy.D.
Dr. Ashley Berry is a licensed psychologist specializing in pediatric diagnostic evaluations. She has been working exclusively with children and adolescents since 2014. Dr. Berry has worked in a variety of settings including both residential and outpatient treatment centers. She has extensive experience with childhood trauma, neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, ASD), and complex mental health issues. Her goal with assessing and diagnosing is always to help families
better understand their child’s complexities while minimizing over-diagnosing. Dr. Berry strives for efficiency with having individuals quickly assessed so the appropriate treatments can commence. Dr. Berry has been licensed by a number of states, with her current practices being located in North Carolina, California, and Idaho.
Katie S. Janvrin, LCMHC-A
Katie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in North Carolina and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science (BS) in both Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Masters of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University.
Beyond her graduate studies, Katie’s clinical experience has been primarily in private practice where she has worked with adolescents, adults, and families. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, relationship and boundary issues, familial conflict, and life transitions. She is especially passionate about working with caregivers, first responders, and parents.
Katie believes that while our stories are all unique there is a commonality that lies in the emotions that we experience. She feels that there is more to balance than not falling over and works alongside her clients to uncover long-term patterns that are no longer serving them to seek out a more harmonious life. She holds space for hard and heavy feelings while helping to push clients to navigate their emotions that have been barriers in their lives. As a counselor, Katie uses a relational framework coupled with a strength-based approach, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and person-centered approach, and a healthy dose of humor.
Catherine Cook, LCMHC-A LCAS
Catherine Cook LCMHA is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate as well as a licensed clinical addiction specialist in the state of North Carolina. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte and a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University.
In addition to her graduate studies, her Clinical experiences include outpatient and residential treatment. She has over a year of experience working with homeless women and the substance abuse population.
Catherine has worked with a broad spectrum of mental health challenges including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, career, stress, relationships, and substance abuse.
As a professional counselor, her philosophy is to establish and maintain an open and honest therapeutic relationship with clients. Additionally, her goal is to create a safe and collaborative environment where the client can work on their unique and individual goals.
Catherine's theoretical approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Rogerian / Person - Centered Therapy. Furthermore, Catherine is looking forward to becoming certified in Dietetical Behavioral Therapy in the near future. Ultimately Catherine is skilled at providing her clients with a safe and supportive environment for them to explore, as well as challenge themselves in order to achieve their mental health goals.
The Practice
Our Psychology Practice
Our experience enables us to offer effective outpatient, individualized, psychological care. We treat a number of mental health disorders, and provide a neutral ground to individuals, families, and couples. Wether you have experience with previous psychotherapy or you are on the fence and uncertain about "talk" therapy, we will welcome you and do our very best to help.
Our Treatment Focus
Our focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths through a variety of modalities and approaches. We achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan.
Our Patient Promise
We promise to be there for you every step of your journey. Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life.
Our Therapy
Depression & Anxiety
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations
- Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counseling and treatment, we are able to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had in your life.
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations
Many individuals are in need of Psychological Evaluations for a number of reasons, including educational testing, disability services, diagnostic clarification, surgical readiness, employment, medication management, Intellectual Developmental Disability / Services, and more. Higher Ground Psychological Services is there for your Evaluatio
Many individuals are in need of Psychological Evaluations for a number of reasons, including educational testing, disability services, diagnostic clarification, surgical readiness, employment, medication management, Intellectual Developmental Disability / Services, and more. Higher Ground Psychological Services is there for your Evaluation needs and takes most major insurances to help cover the cost of this service.
Relationships
Psychological Evaluations
Relationships
Relationship counseling can be beneficial to couples who are looking to strengthen their emotional connection, in all stages of their relationship. Therapy sessions are held with families (intact as well as divorced) and couples, and is a supportive place to discuss issues and solutions to better strengthen your relationships. Higher Grou
Relationship counseling can be beneficial to couples who are looking to strengthen their emotional connection, in all stages of their relationship. Therapy sessions are held with families (intact as well as divorced) and couples, and is a supportive place to discuss issues and solutions to better strengthen your relationships. Higher Ground Psychological Services also provides specialized Reunification Therapy in High Conflict Divorce cases.