Skip to content
Charlotte
Join

Therapist

Gary Alston, LCSW-A

He/Im

Gary Alston, LCSW-A, therapist in FAYETTEVILLE, NC Save Contact →

Experience2 years

Sessionsinperson, telehealth

SpeaksEnglish

RateBased off your insurance coverage

LicenseP022739

Verified · October 2026

Therapist

Gary Alston, LCSW-A

He/Im

Licensed in North Carolina

“"I help people talk about the hard stuff and figure out what to do with it."”

Accepting new clients · Open
Send Message

Therapeutic approaches

ACT Attachment-Based Therapy Awareness & Mindfulness Behavioral Behavioral Activation Brainspotting Breathwork & Body-Based Practices CBT Cognitive Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Couples & Family Creative & Play DBT Discernment Counseling Emotion Regulation Skills Emotions Existential Therapy Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) Expressive Arts Therapy Gestalt Therapy Group & Community Group Therapy Mindfulness-Based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Peer Support Person-Centered Play Therapy Polyvagal-Informed Therapy Solution-Focused Solution-Focused (SFBT) Somatic Experiencing Structural Family Therapy Support Groups TF-CBT Trauma

Areas of focus

ADHD Anxiety Behavioral Challenges Couples Conflict Depression Divorce and Co-parenting Grief and Loss Life Transitions Parenting Premarital Self-Esteem Stress and Burnout Trauma and PTSD

Who I work with

Adults Children Couples Families LGBTQIA+ New Parents Teens

My approach

I’m a down-to-earth country boy from North Carolina, and I bring that same energy into therapy. You can talk to me the way you’d talk to somebody you trust. If the words come out messy or you’re still figuring out what you feel, we can start there. As a gay man, I know what it can mean to have a space where you can talk openly about who you are and who you love. I’ll listen, ask honest questions, and help you find practical ways to handle what’s weighing on you. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you and make room for a little humor when it comes naturally.

What a first session with me looks like

I’ll start by getting to know you. I’ll ask what brought you to therapy, what life has been like lately, and what you hope feels different. If you’re nervous or unsure where to begin, that’s okay. We can start with whatever feels easiest to talk about and take it from there. You get to share at your own pace.
I’ll explain how therapy works, go over confidentiality and its limits, and make room for your questions. My style is down-to-earth, warm, and direct. Before we wrap up, we’ll talk about what you’d like to work on first and decide together what a manageable next step looks like for you.

Education

  • PhD Student- Walden University Current
  • MS in Social Work-Arizona State University Graduated 2025
  • BS in Social Work- UNC Pembroke Graduated 2018
  • BS in Psychology - Methodist College Graduated 2012
  • AS in Health Care Administration- Fayetteville Tech Graduated 2007

Training and certifications

  • TF-CBT NC Rostered Trauma Expert Certification since 2026

Outside the office

Outside the office, I’m big on self-care and protective of my me time. And if you really want to get to know me, ask me what I’m listening to. Music is my universe. I love and respect what a good song can do for you, and R&B and soul will always have my heart.

Practicing Under Brittany Harris, LCSW, LCAS #C009674

The office

FAYETTEVILLE, NC
Exact address shared when you book

9102247477 Visit Gary Alston's practice website

Questions for Gary Alston

What insurance do you take?
At BestCare, we accept Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum. We also accept NC Medicaid through Alliance Health, AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina, Carolina Complete Health, Healthy Blue, Partners Health Management, Trillium Health Resources, and Vaya Health.rnIf youu2019re unsure about your plan, share the name on your insurance card when you reach out. We can help you check whether your specific plan covers therapy with us before your first appointment.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Yes, I offer evening and weekend appointments. When you reach out, let me know what days and times work best for you, and Iu2019ll share my current openings.
How long do people usually work with you?
It depends on what brings you in and what you want to work on. Some people come to me for short-term support through a specific challenge, like a breakup or a big life change. Others work with me longer to process trauma or change patterns that keep showing up in their lives. Weu2019ll talk about your goals early on and check in along the way. As things start to feel more manageable, we can decide together whether it makes sense to space out sessions or wrap up.
What ages do you work with?
I work with clients ages 8 and up, including children, teens, adults, and older adults. I tailor sessions to your age, what brings you to therapy, and what feels comfortable for you.
Gary Alston, LCSW-A, therapist in FAYETTEVILLE, NC

Send Gary a Message

Your note comes straight to me. A few words about what’s bringing you to therapy or what you’re hoping for are enough to get us started. When I reach back out, we can talk about what you’re looking for, answer any questions you have, and figure out the next step together.

Your message goes directly to this therapist by email and is not stored on our servers. A sentence or two is plenty; save the details for your conversation.

How are you hoping to pay? (select all that apply)

Listing an insurance here doesn't confirm coverage. Clients are responsible for verifying network status and benefits directly with the therapist and their insurance company.

A gentle note: email isn't a secure medical channel, so please don't include sensitive clinical details — just enough for us to say hello.