Araby Boykin, LCMHC

Araby Boykin is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and problems with self-esteem. She also supports those dealing with grief, addiction concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, and parenting strain.

Her approach is straightforward and practical. Sessions focus on clear goals and step-by-step strategies people can use between meetings. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused ideas to shape the work.

During sessions she listens closely and helps clients identify thoughts and habits that get in the way. Then she works with them to test new ways of thinking and behaving. Mindfulness and skills from DBT are used to manage strong emotions and reduce reactivity.

She has five years of clinical experience and holds an LCMHC credential in North Carolina. That background informs how she combines evidence-informed techniques with a client-centered stance. The aim is practical progress rather than long, abstract explanations.

People who choose her often want concrete tools for daily life. She supports efforts to improve communication, manage mood swings, handle anger, and move through major life changes. Sessions are adaptable to each person’s needs and paced to their comfort.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. It often focuses on practical, short-term changes for anxiety, depression, and mood problems. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and understanding the person’s perspective so goals emerge from their priorities. This approach supports stronger self-awareness and clearer choices. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. It is useful for intense emotions, impulsivity, and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can shift over time as progress is made or new challenges appear.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into a life. Video is good for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging can support brief check-ins, skill practice, and ongoing encouragement between longer sessions. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, shorter touchpoints, and varied ways to use therapeutic tools.