Services
One of the greatest investments you can make is getting professional care for yourself and/or your marriage. We believe that you shouldn’t have to face struggles or hiccups alone. Often times it just takes a little guidance and direction to get you back on the right track, which is why we provide professional, confidential therapy at below-market rates in a comfortable, caring, and compassionate Christian environment. We uniquely blend our clinical expertise with biblical principles to provide comprehensive and holistic care for each person who steps through our doors.
Whether it’s just keeping your marriage healthy and strong with a marriage check-up, going through our premarital preparation sessions, overcoming ongoing struggles you and your spouse may be battling, or overcoming serious issues that threaten the longevity of your marriage, we’re here to help. Our clinical experience coupled with our passion and heart for people sets us apart and means you don’t have to lose heart or hope. Allow us to help you!
Individuals, Couples, Adults, Young Adults, and Families
- Marital & Couples Therapy
- Marriage Enrichment
- Premarital
- Spiritual Formation
- Depression
- Grief/Loss
- Adjustment
- Identity/Self-Esteem
- Communication
- Anxiety
- Postpartum
- Family Conflict
- ADHD
- Ministry
- Addiction
- Children, Adolescents & Teens
- Care Providers/Leaders
- Military
- Trauma
- Substance Abuse
Clinicians
Mary Brannan Gubitz, MA, LMFTA
Lea Mucciacciaro, MSW, LCSWA
Lea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also completed her bachelors at UNC Chapel Hill with a dual degree in Human Development Family Studies and Religious Studies. Lea is trained in Substance Use Addiction Specialization with a focus on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Lea believes in the importance of mental health awareness and creating positive
Samantha Dove, MSW, LCSWA
Samantha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). She received her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Samantha is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-I), trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and a SYMBIS Facilitator.
Samantha’s passion is assisting others in healing from traumatic and stressful life experiences so they are able to be fully present and find joy in daily life. Samantha believes in a holistic approach to treatment and has been trained in several different modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness.
Her areas of focus include teen, adult, and premarital therapy. Samantha specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Samantha lives in Wendell with her husband Joshua, a minister, and is the stepmother to three energetic young boys.
Michele Howard, MA, LMFTA
Michele is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA). She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University and has a Master’s in Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Michele is certified in the PREPARE/ENRICH pre-marital and marital assessment tool. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists as well as the North Carolina Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Michele’s desire in counseling is to help all people, regardless of circumstance, find peace through faith, and hope for tomorrow. Michele believes that hope is available for all people, regardless of how hopeless their situation may be.
As a Pastor’s wife, Michele was often sought out for advice and help long before making it her profession. Michele has a passion for listening and helping others. Having been married over 28 years, she has a passion for marriages and seeks to help others improve their marriage. Michele grew up in a divorced home and so she understands the trauma this causes both the spouse and children. As a result, she has dedicated herself to helping make marriages better. She also has a passion for children. As the mother of three grown children, Michele understands the rigors and difficulties of bringing up children in the 21st century.
Michele lives in Lillington with her husband Mark. She has three grown children and was recently promoted to grandmother for the first time in February, 2021.
Sydney Outlaw, MA, LMFT
Sydney Outlaw, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC-Greensboro and her Master’s Degree in Christian Marriage, Family, and Individual Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sydney primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and other modalities from a Christian perspective and framework.
Sydney loves helping and serving others. She feels that this passion is especially useful in her role as a counselor because she is able to help others during times of emotional and mental stress. Whether it’s a life transition, grief, anxiety, depression, couple’s issues, adolescent issues, or something else, Sydney believes that a big key in counseling comes from meeting the client where they are and diving deep into the issues they’re experiencing. In order to accomplish this, Sydney seeks to truly get to know her clients and form a therapeutic relationship that fosters trust and a safe place to process through life struggles and emotions. By doing so, she hopes that clients will be able to see that there is hope and healing to be found!
Sydney lives in Butner, NC with her husband Hunter and their two dogs, Bjorn and Raven. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors, singing, playing guitar, and spending time with family and friends.
Hope Arendt, MA, LMFT
Hope is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University, one of three accredited programs in North Carolina. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is certified as a facilitator of PREPARE/ENRICH and has completed
through Gottman Level 3 trainings and working certification as a Gottman therapist.
Hope specializes in anxiety and family conflict, and has a passion for those searching for meaning and purpose in life. So many clients come in and are at a loss of what to do next; they feel hopeless. Her favorite part about therapy is the moment that they see a glimmer of hope: that things can change and they can find joy again. This is a huge shifting point in the process of therapy and it means two big things. One, you have formed a trusting relationship with your therapist. Two, renewed hope gives a boost of motivation to push forward and reach your goals. Hope Arendt has a passion for this journey, “I wish nothing more than to form a genuine trusting relationship with my clients and to lead them to their glimmer of hope. Ultimately, this will result in tremendous change in their lives!”
She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, Cole; her son, Azariah; and her two daughters, Lenora & Evelyn.
Ashley McIlwain, MA, LMFT
Ashley McIlwain, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University.
Ashley is the Founder and CEO of Foundation Restoration, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which offers a wide range of resources committed to helping relationships thrive. Believing that marriage is the foundation of society, she passionately utilizes her non-profit, therapy, speaking engagements, and writing to prepare, nurture, salvage, and encourage healthy, strong marriages from a biblical perspective. Her past experience includes partnering with Moody Publishers and Dr. Gary Chapman as Managing Editor to launch and develop a website focused on premarital preparation.
Her areas of focus include premarital, marital, and individual therapy working through life transitions, relational issues, personal growth, boundaries, restoration, depression, and anxiety. She is certified as a Prepare & Enrich Facilitator, SYMBIS Facilitator, and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors as well as the AACC Marriage & Family Division. She has completed Level 1 Gottman Training.
Ashley loves connecting with, helping, and encouraging people professionally and personally. Her heart is to support those hurting and help them to feel understood, cared for, and hopeful on their path to healing.
Please note: Ashley is currently not accepting new clients.
Location & Contact Information
- Our office can be located off of Falls of Neuse Rd. or Mutual Court (off of Strickland Rd.). We are suite #107, which faces Strickland Rd. You can park in any of the available spaces. Upon entering our office, clients may be seated in the waiting area, and your clinician will greet you there at your scheduled appointment.
- Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early.
- There is coffee or tea available in our waiting area (on the back side of the half wall) that clients can help themselves to while waiting.
- We also have various merchandise available; if you would like to make a purchase, please notify your clinician who can assist you.
Other Information
New Clients: Make sure you have completed ALL required intake paperwork through the client portal 48 hours PRIOR to your initial session. Clients who do not complete their intake paperwork prior to the session will need to complete it during their session or may be asked to reschedule.
Payment: Payment is due at the time of services – no exceptions. We accept cash (please bring exact amount as change is not available), checks, or debit/credit cards. Please note that a current credit/debit card is required to be on file at all times in your client portal. Most FSA or HSA cards are accepted. We offer reduced rates from industry standard. We are an in-network provider with and accept Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance (not Blue Local or Blue Value) as well as Aetna.
Insurance Disclaimer: While we try to be as accurate as possible when verifying benefits, your fees may change depending on your eligibility and benefits during the date of your sessions. Estimates are as of that day, and we won’t know your exact fee until we bill your insurance and get your explanation of benefits back from your insurance company. You are also encouraged to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask your member representative about your ‘mental health, outpatient, office visit’ benefits. We will provide bill summaries for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement for an out of network provider.
Scheduling Appointments: Please call our office at (919)569-5820 to make an appointment.
You can also visit our FAQs page here.
