Our Therapists
Often times we find ourselves stuck in the same patterns and routines that stagnate our growth and development to break the cycle, we must change pace and begin healthy habits that give us desirable results. Zoe Counseling and Consulting (ZCC) is a premier counseling service that specializes in holistic treatment, understanding that past traumas, environmental influences, life decisions, and health often affect how we think and feel.
At ZCC, our goal is to help our clients develop healthy habits to achieve their personal goals. Our comprehensive services include mental health counseling, education, role modeling, and empathetic support to individuals, families, and groups. Our team assists clients who are experiencing mental, physical, and emotional traumas, ensuring that they have the proper tools to manage their life experiences at every stage.
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In addition to our full client services, we offer specialty support services to include Trauma-Focused cognitive behavioral therapy, life skills training, parental support groups, health and wellness groups, as well as psychosocial assessments to help identify our clients’ needs. We are a highly tenured team, with over 10 years of industry experience in the application of different modalities, customized to the needs of our clients.
Our goal is to empower, motivate and inspire every human to uniquely be their very best.
We look forward to making a lifetime impact on you and your family.
Melissa Booker MA, LCMHC
Hello, my name is Melissa Booker, and I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor. My desire to help hurting individuals led me to pursue a career in mental health counseling. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from NC A&T State University and my master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University.
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My therapeutic technique includes cognitive behavioral therapy coupled with motivational interviewing to encourage feelings of self-efficacy, while advocating for life success of the individual. With active listening and reflection, I assist clients in building self-confidence and increase their ability to cope with life’s greatest stressors. I am experienced in working with a wide range of patient populations to include pediatrics, adolescents, and adults, and have received certifications from System of Care, Nurturing Parenting, and Strengthening Families collaborative programs and services.
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I am a wife and a mother who enjoys spending time with family and an active member of my church who enjoys working with the youth. In my free time I enjoy reading, practicing self-care and shopping with my grandmother and daughter.
Hi, my name is Shameka Smith, and I am a licensed clinical social worker. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Garner-Webb University and a Master of Social Work from Appalachian State University. My purpose is to empower individuals through healing solutions while equipping them with the necessary tools to optimize their life’s potential and achieve their personal goals.
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I have over 15 years of experience in providing mental health services to a variety of patient populations to include children, adolescents, and adults. My scope of practice includes working with individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, irritability/anger, mood disorders, and problems with interpersonal relationships. My passion is to enhance the lives that I serve through cognitive practices to provide coping skills, emotional healing, and solution-driven outcomes to handle unexpected and stressful life experiences.
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Realizing there is no ‘one size fits all’ theoretical approach, I am certified in many modalities to include cognitive behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, and motivational interviewing to meet treatment needs. I believe that all individuals are already internally equipped with qualities and strengths that support their well-being. Therefore, my treatment plans are highly collaborative in nature and incorporate a strength-based approach to cultivate individual strengths while minimizing potential weaknesses.
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In addition to my certifications, I am highly specialized in providing mental health services to athletes of all levels. As a former athlete, I am familiar with the unique needs of athletes and the need to maintain high levels of mental stamina for peak performance. When working with athletes, my goal is to develop strategies to manage stress, minimize anxiety, and maximize performance. Treatment outcomes seek to build confidence, promote self-esteem, increase motivation, and support personal well-being.
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Shameka Smith MSW, LCSW
Owner / Founder
Clara R. Painter LCMHC,TFCBT
Hello, my name is Clara Painter and I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor and outpatient therapist with a specialty in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. I have an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Gaston College, a bachelor’s degree in human services from Gardner-Webb and a master of arts degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. I am certified in cognitive behavioral therapy, child abuse in ethnic minority and immigrant communities, and vicarious trauma and resilience. I have also received certification from the North Carolina Child and Family Treatment Program in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and have served as a nurturing parent facilitator that has aided in my expertise of working with individuals who have been sexually abused. I have received numerous training and certifications in pediatric mental health and wellness, physical abuse, and crisis management. I am well-equipped to meet the needs of the populations that I serve.
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Prior to receiving my clinical licensure as a mental health counselor, I worked as a 911 operator with Gaston County Police. My experience working as a first responder drives my desire to support my community and fulfill my purpose in working with children and families with mental health and wellness needs. In the spirit of giving back to my community, I am honored to serve on the board of Least of These Carolinas in efforts to make a difference in the lives of foster children. I am also a proud board member for The Arc of Gaston County, which serves county residents with developmental disabilities.
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My hobbies include singing, reading, and traveling. My practice is faith-based with a strong belief in God as my foundation. My clinical approach includes empowering clients towards personal growth and independent crisis management. My clinical practice incorporates different styles of therapy to meet the needs of my clients. Some of these methodologies include the Rogerian client-centered approach, Gestalt and family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, mindfulness and DBT.
Hello, my name is Joshua Smith, and I am a licensed clinical social worker associate.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Psychology from Clemson University. I recently received a Master of Social Work degree from Baylor University. My purpose is to help individuals and families navigate the biopsychosocial factors that hinder their personal growth.
I am well-versed in meeting the client service needs for adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, and families. While I have experience in working with a variety of clinical populations, I especially enjoy working with children, particularly those who were experiencing bereavement. As a former professional athlete who played basketball overseas, I am also well-equipped to provide special services to young athletes of all ages and skill levels. My services include cognitive behavioral therapy, tailored to the specific therapy needs of my clients.
I am a strong advocate for individuals with mental discrepancies, assisting them in managing their thought processes and personal experiences more effectively. With my acquired skill set and years of experience, I help individuals build a sense of self, equipping them with the necessary coping skills that promote personal success and better life outcomes.
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