For far too long in our community, mental health has been discussed in a whisper, at best, and through self-destructive action at worst. At Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery, we are committed to ending this reality and allowing healing to happen out loud in Metro Charlotte, in North Carolina, and eventually across the country.

As someone who successfully wore the emotional mask until I couldn't hide it anymore, I have spent the back half of my life working to fully own my story instead of allowing it to continue to own me. Our entire team is committed to this reality as well. For this reason, you will notice we all offer a piece of our journeys in our profiles. We believe not only in what we do, but what we've experienced and seek that liberation for our entire community.

Our team believes that healing happens not only at the individual level, but also at the community level. While we see our work in the office as critical, our work in the community is at the core of who we are.

Proceeds for these t-shirts will go directly to subsidizing individual, family, and group therapy for clients in need of financial assistance. While your financial support is critical, wearing this shirt publicly will let people know that you are committed to making this an inclusive community where we no longer have to suffer in silence.

Please join us today, as we commit directly to a lifelong movement to:

PROMOTE HEALING. END STIGMA. ™


ART OF MEDITATION

Can’t meditate? Can’t sit still? Mind on a tilt-a-whirl of thoughts? 

Meditation can be challenging for busy folks or those with a lot on their minds. It can be difficult to learn how to “be” when there is too much to do or when the speed of life overwhelms your ability to feel calm. 

This workshop will teach the basics of mindfulness meditation through simple, minimal-skill required art techniques. Hopefully, you feel confident in your ability to scribble, tear paper, fill an entire page with color, and so on, and if not then we will work on it together. This isn’t about developing your art skills but about using creativity to begin, learn or enhance your meditation practice. 


At different points in our life, for different reasons, we get frustrated or confused by parts of ourselves. We don't understand why we're stuck, or why some parts of our lives are working so well while others are a mess.

We’ve been there, can help you understand what's going on, and what needs to happen to help move you forward.

 

Driven to Work

My time is very important and I’m not here to waste it. I excel at work in a high-speed environment, but feel like something’s missing. I am driven to address it. I don’t do well with failure or mediocrity and am just looking for a little direction. Work has typically been my safe haven, but it’s not enough right now and something’s off. I know there’s more out here for me and am ready to stop settling. I’m looking for someone who can give me tangible tools that I can use on my own for the long haul.      

 

The Cultural Misfit

Photo by JumpStock/iStock / Getty Images

You’ve worked incredibly hard to get this point. You have beaten the odds and are great at what you do. You’ve always had to work twice as hard to get the same respect. Throughout it all, you have developed two identities—the one who enjoys the success and is proud of moving up; and the one who at times resents this world that has often undervalued people like you. You are struggling to reconcile these things. You are looking to find the balance between your success at work and your desire to be true to who you are beyond work. Welcome.

5 Pounds Away From Happiness

If there was a book written about me, it would be called “If I could just lose 5 more pounds.” Food and I have a real love hate relationship. I love it, but hate what it does to my jeans. I see cute clothes, but always feel like they’re just out of my reach.  I’ve tried it all, low-carb, fasting, cleanses, exercise programs, and every diet you can imagine, but I just can’t get where I want to be. I try to follow the rules, but eventually get bored, sad, or stressed, fall of the wagon and hate myself for it. If you’re ready to get off this roller coaster, you’ve come to the right place.

 

Addicted to Mr. Wrong

Photo by Ridofranz/iStock / Getty Images

You look like you have it all. You are smart, successful, and driven. And yet, you can’t escape the inevitable question, “when are you going to get married and start a family.” And while one part of you wants to just say “mind your business, I don’t need anyone else to be happy,” there is another part of you that asks yourself, “when?” It’s not that you can’t attract anybody. It’s that the anybodies you attract are consistently Mr. Wrong. Emotionally unavailable at best, abusive at worst, this seems to be a weak spot you focus on that often overshadows your many strengths. You’ve come to the right place.

Gotta Fix One Last Thing

On paper, things look great. Strong grades. Prominent job. Accolades. People praise me and say they wish they had my life. But they have no clue. The weight can be overwhelming. Everybody expects so much. And while I deliver, it comes at a price. If it can’t be perfect, I’d rather not do it at all. I find myself putting hard things off, dodging them completely, or making corrections over and over until things are exactly right. Sometimes, the pressure makes me feel like I can barely breathe. I don’t like conflict and hate telling people no. I just want them to be happy. Unfortunately, it often comes at my own expense. If you want help freeing yourself, we’re here.


Not as Cool as I Seem

Photo by g-stockstudio/iStock / Getty Images

“I don’t care” is your go to phrase. People assume you’re just the typical cocky, successful guy who handles his feelings and loves the single life. What they don’t know is that you live like a volcano trying not to erupt. In relationships, your lack of commitment and follow through is not because you don't feel. It’s because you care too much and don’t trust that it will last if things are going well. Somehow someway, you will screw it up or when you let your guard down, the other shoe is going to drop. Not liking to be out of control, you sabotage by leaving, cheating, or creating a fight only proving yourself right that it wasn’t going to work out. You can finally let your guard down and start getting real here. Let’s go.


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Recognized By

Southern Living Magazine, Top 50 Southerners, 2016
UNC School of Social Work, Distinguished Alumni Award, 2016
Playing For Others, Night of Gratitude Honoree, 2016
Charlotte Observer, Seven To Watch, 2015

Associated With

Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation, Family Stability Committee 2017
OneMECK Co-Chair, to Increase Equity in Housing and Education since 2015
Bruce Irons Camp Fund, Board Member since 2015


Justin Perry has unique empathy and skills for understanding the issues patients deal with. More importantly, he has a special talent for helping others to understand their issues themselves. In 25 years of practice, I have never worked with a more insightful and skilled therapist.
— Patricia Zybas, MS, LPC, LCAS, CCS, MAC
 
I highly recommend Anna Shaffner to anyone who is seeking counseling with her. From my experience with her as a clinical supervisee, and my knowledge from 29 years of clinical experience, Anna is highly skilled, insightful, patient, caring, and ethical as a clinician. Clients working with Anna will benefit from her steadfast commitment to effectively guide them through the healing process.
— George Hage, Ed.D., Ph. D., LPCS, Educator, Pastor, Clinician
Cliff Matthews has strong clinical skills and life experiences that make him a therapist of choice in our community. He demonstrates genuine caring and concern for all people. He has an extraordinary ability to listen and start where you are on your own personal life journey. Cliff has a natural ability to help his clients uncover and recognize their own strengths while building upon those strengths. He designs interventions that assist his clients in working through issues that are interfering with the progress they desire in their lives.
— Tanya Stewart Blackmon, LCSW, MBA President, Auspen Consulting