Meet our Mental Health Counselors at our New Bern Clinic!

Lee Sousa

Education: BA in Psychology and Sociology; MS in Counselor Education

Specialties: PTSD, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Stress Management

Lee Sousa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Additionally, he is certified to provide supervision services for associate-level clinicians seeking full licensure for LCMHC in North Carolina. Completed certification for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) through the North Carolina Child Treatment Program (NCCTP).

Lee has lived in Eastern Carolina since 2022. He has lived in North Carolina throughout his life around the Charlotte area. He received a Master’s in Science for Counselor Education from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. He has experience working with most age groups, including children, adolescents, and adults with mental health and/or co-occurring conditions.

How Lee practices is borrowed heavily from his athletics experience. This includes 20+ years of competitive swimming and several years of collegiate and age-group coaching for the sport. From a strengths-based approach, Lee takes value in learning each individual’s strengths and interests when it comes to developing effective person-centered skills. Lee aims to take a team approach to mental wellness and will work with you to accomplish your goals, making you feel empowered and confident in your mental wellness journey.

Check out Lee's Psychology Today Profile!

Imani Rodriguez

Imani Rodriguez has dedicated the last four years to working closely with children, adolescents, and adults, providing compassionate care and support in the mental health field. With extensive experience in addressing depression, anxiety, and trauma, Imani is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate their mental health journeys.

Imani’s passion for mental health care began long before her official licensure. She consistently sought opportunities to grow her skill set, immersing herself in environments where she could learn and develop professionally. This unwavering dedication has equipped her with a rich and diverse background, enhancing her ability to connect with and support her clients effectively.

A proud mother herself, Imani’s personal experiences have profoundly influenced her professional journey. Growing up with a mother diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) from a young age, Imani has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of therapy. Through their shared therapeutic journey, Imani and her mother have built an incredibly strong bond, which has fueled her dedication to the field.

Imani’s work is driven by a genuine love for the field and a strong belief in the power of mental health care to transform lives. She strives to create a safe and nurturing space for all her clients, helping them to build resilience and achieve their personal goals.

Check out Imani's Psychology Today Profile!

Katie Krauss, LCSW

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2020. Prior to that, I completed my Bachelor’s in Social Work with a minor in Psychology at the same institution in 2019. Throughout my post-secondary education, a strong emphasis on early childhood development has provided me with a solid foundation for understanding and addressing the needs of children. This focus has significantly shaped and enhanced my therapeutic approach.

I have extensive experience working with at-risk youth, families, and individuals across various age groups. I spent two years in community mental health, providing support to both children and adults. For the past 2.5 years, I have worked in educational settings, where I have helped students with developmental and learning challenges acquire coping strategies to enhance their success in school. Additionally, I have supported students struggling with mental health issues by empowering them with effective strategies and coping skills.

My specialties includes delivering person-centered care through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy and Mindfulness. I enjoy making therapy fun with for children by incorporating fun or creative and artistic approaches to my therapeutic approach. I feel it is very important to help children understand their brain as well as their feelings to help them manage and regulate their bodies when they experience big emotions.

I have experience working with a range of mental health conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

As a mother of two neurodivergent children, I had the privilege of being a stay-at-home parent during their early childhood years. Additionally, I spent 13 years as a military spouse before returning to school to complete my degrees. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending my leisure time crafting and relaxing with my family.

Check out Katie's Psychology Today Profile!

Heather Jones

Stress and traumatic experiences can affect many areas of life, including the way we behave, think, and learn. Each client has strengths within them that simply need to be accessed. I believe all clients have the ability to meet their goals and work through difficult or traumatic experiences with the help of a caring professional who provides a safe and trusting environment.

As a former Certified Child Life Specialist, Heather has extensive training and experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Heather has worked closely with clients with various diagnoses including ADHD, Autism, ODD, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She is currently working toward her certification to become a Registered Play Therapist.

My goal is to provide a safe, accepting environment for kids and teens to be able to fully be themselves and begin understanding and processing their own strengths, emotions, and needs at their own pace.

Check out Heather's Psychology Today Profile!

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