Summer Estes

Summer Estes, MA, LCMHC (NC License #6692) I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 18 years of clinical experience working with adults and couples (ages 18+). I received my B.A. from UNC–Chapel Hill and my Master’s Degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary. I have been practicing since 2005 and licensed in North Carolina since 2007. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, relational distress, grief and loss, life transitions, and the impact of developmental or relational trauma. Many of my clients are high-functioning adults who feel internally burdened by perfectionism, over-responsibility, self-consciousness, or chronic emotional stress. My approach is trauma-informed and integrative. I draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS-informed), attachment-based work, somatic and mindfulness practices, and psychodynamic and systemic frameworks. I also incorporate the Enneagram as a tool for developing emotional insight, self-awareness, and relational growth when clinically appropriate. In therapy, I focus on helping clients: -Increase nervous system regulation and emotional resilience -Identify and update protective patterns that no longer serve them -Strengthen internal clarity and self-leadership -Process grief, attachment wounds, and unresolved relational pain -Develop greater confidence, presence, and flexibility in relationships My style is warm, collaborative, and experiential. I aim to create a steady, supportive space where clients can explore both current challenges and deeper patterns with compassion and practical skill-building. In addition to private practice, I facilitate grief and inner work retreats across North Carolina and remain committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-informed care.