Renewal Counseling & Consulting

Hello! I'm Summer Estes, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a passion for helping individuals navigate life's challenges and achieve healing, wholeness, and renewal. I believe that finding the right therapist is crucial to the therapeutic process, so I'm glad you're here. I'm dedicated to providing a safe, compassionate, and validating environment for my clients, and I'm excited to share more about my services and approach with you.

About Summer Estes

I earned my Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and my Master's degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado. I've achieved the credential of National Certified Counselor (NCC) and my North Carolina License (LPC). Throughout my education and professional experience, I've worked with adolescents, couples, and adults, and I've co-led therapy groups for women. I've also worked part-time for two years as a counselor on the adult and adolescent in-patient units as well as the outpatient unit at Moses Cone Behavioral Health. In 2007, I transitioned to focusing on my private practice, and I've been dedicated to it ever since.

My Approach to Therapy

I believe that connection is at the heart of what I do. As humans, we all need connection to be whole and to grow. Without it, we suffer. I aim to offer compassion, increase self-awareness, and deepen connection with oneself. I believe that when we can relate with ourselves in a more kind and compassionate way, then we will be able to connect with others in a similar way. This is my desire for my clients in the counseling or coaching/consulting setting.

Education and Experience

I received my BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and my MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary in Denver Colorado. I achieved the credential of National Certified Counselor (NCC) #202730 as well as my North Carolina License (LPC) #6692. During my internship, I worked with a counseling group seeing adolescents, couples, and adults. I also co-lead therapy groups for women. Upon graduation, I worked part-time for two years as a counselor on the adult and adolescent in-patient units as well as the outpatient unit at Moses Cone Behavioral Health. In 2007, I transitioned to focusing on my private practice. I am married and we are raising three children. I see myself as a lifelong student, not only working on my own journey of growth but also in increasing my own base of knowledge and experience so that I may continue to stay abreast in the newest treatment approaches that interest me.

Treatment Approaches

I have training, continuing education, or have studied the following treatment modalities: EMDR level II training (EMDRIA.org), CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), Family Systems Theory, Existential Theory, Psychodynamic Theory, Completed The Enneagram Institute Training (2019) on The Enneagram (personality and self-awareness tool) enneagraminstitute.com, Mindfulness Techniques, Breathwork, and Spiritual Direction.

Populations I Serve and Issues I Like to Work With

I work with adults, couples, families, and adolescent populations. I do not see clients under the age of 15. My areas of specialty include; depression, anxiety, identity-formation, self-esteem issues, grief and loss, marriage/family issues, and spiritual formation. I love working with those who are struggling with loss in all of its forms (death, relational struggles, anxiety, trauma, post-abortion stress, chronic self-contempt, infertility, loneliness, spiritual dryness, etc.). My faith is an integral part of my own story. I offer Spiritual Formation for those who desire it. I am a student of the human transformational growth process and I consider it an honor to come alongside those who entrust me during this time in their journey.

Theoretical Approach

I see myself as a compassionate, interactive, passionate, and practical therapist. My treatment approach is to provide support, insight, and feedback to help clients address current challenges and life-long issues. I enjoy coming alongside and advocating for my clients as they choose to bring resolution and healing to a wide range of life issues.

I hope this information has been helpful, and I look forward to continuing to serve my clients with compassion, empathy, and understanding.