Nya McMullen
LCMHCA
Nya McMullen (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) with a master's of education in counselor education (school counseling track) from NC State University. She holds a bachelor of science in educational studies with a concentration in mathematics from Central State University in Ohio. Before becoming a counselor, Nya taught high school mathematics for four years in Durham and Wilson, NC, where she developed a strong foundation in student-centered learning and support.
As a Black Midwestern woman, Nya’s path to becoming a counselor was shaped by both personal and cultural experiences with mental health. Growing up in a family where emotional struggles were often kept private—and where Black men in particular were expected to endure in silence—she learned early on that seeking help was often seen as taboo. Though some family members quietly supported her well-being, therapy sessions were kept hidden from the community at-large. This early experience of secrecy and stigma deeply influenced Nya’s understanding of how mental health is treated in communities like hers. Later, as a high school teacher, she saw firsthand how her students’ emotional and psychological challenges impacted their ability to learn and thrive. These experiences underscored for her that mental health doesn’t always look the same across cultures, and that healing requires care that honors those differences. Nya brings this awareness into every session, offering a culturally-centered, affirming space where clients feel seen, heard, supported, and deeply understood.
Nya approaches therapy with a deep respect for the complexity of identity and the courage it takes to seek healing—especially within systems that have historically excluded or marginalized certain communities. Her practice integrates relational, cognitive, and culturally-centered frameworks that center autonomy, voice, and authentic connection. Drawing from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), she supports clients in building skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and thought awareness. Grounded in client-centered care and a strong belief in education as a healing tool, Nya emphasizes psychoeducation as a pathway to empowerment and clarity. Her therapeutic stance is collaborative and rooted in values of love, liberation, and deep self-knowing, offering a space where clients can explore who they are and who they’re becoming with safety, dignity, and intention.
Nya specializes in working with adolescents (ages 15+) and adults who are navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, and questions around self-concept. She is especially passionate about supporting Black girls and women affected by microaggressions, as well as those exploring Black masculinity, identity development, and the intersections of race and gender.
