therapy
therapy fit to your needs.
You are a truly unique person, not a carbon copy of anyone else, so your therapy should be designed for your individual needs. We will work together to find tools that fit YOU and that honor your true Self.
Our goal in every session is to provide a safe space where you can explore your world without judgment, fear, or advice-giving.
We believe that therapy is where science and art coalesce into personal development and authentic growth.
Is evoke right for you?
Maybe you are wondering if Evoke is a good fit for you, and that’s a reasonable and important consideration. There are a lot of options when it comes to your mental health, and the fact that you are contemplating therapy tells us that you are serious about your emotional well-being.
Evoke Mind + Body is a comprehensive wellness center located in the Monkey Junction area of Wilmington, NC, dedicated to supporting your mental, physical, and emotional health. Founded by Mindy Carlson, LCSW, Evoke was established to fill a critical gap in mental health support in the area and to create a welcoming space where your wellness journey is truly honored.
What makes us different
The difference at Evoke begins with how quickly you feel at ease. When you walk in the door for the first time, whether a newbie to the mental health world or a seasoned therapy-goer, you will be welcomed with genuine caring and open arms (or open couch, as it were) that will affirm that you are on your way to peace and healing.
let's talk about it.
Our goal in every session is to provide a safe space where you can explore your world without judgment, fear, or advice-giving.
We believe that therapy is where science and art coalesce into personal development and authentic growth.
Specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Mood Disorders
PTSD
OCD
Anger Management
Stress
Trauma & related issues
Women’s Issues
Grief
Life Transitions
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Parenting/Co-Parenting
Divorce/Separation
Relationship Issues
Family Conflict
Attachment Styles
Codependency
Boundaries
Loved Ones of Addicts
Self-Esteem
Self-Worth
Identity Issues
Sexuality
Gender
ADHD
School Issues
Children’s Therapy
Find the right fit.
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. We’re here to make it easier.
meet our therapists
Workplace Trauma, Alternative Lifestyles, Sexual Health, Family Conflict, Relationship Conflict, Sex Trafficking Survivors, Burnout, Career Changes, Life Transitions
BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Oxford, Oscar, and Self Pay
Anxiety, Depression, Interpersonal Violence, Relationship Issues, Women’s Issues, Trauma, Self-Image, and Boundaries
BCBS, Aetna, Self-pay
Anxiety, OCD, Young Adult Life Transitions, Relationship Difficulties, Perfectionism
BCBS, UHC, Cigna, Aetna, Oscar, Oxford, and Self-Pay
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Life Transitions, Stress, Interpersonal Conflict, Attachment Styles, Boundaries, Self-Worth/Esteem
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Self pay
Eating disorders, anxiety/depression, OCD, gender dysphoria, body image concerns, relationship stress, and trauma in adolescents and adults.
Aetna, BCBS, Self-pay
Interpersonal difficulties, trauma, sexual assault, and mood disorders.
BCBS, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Oxford, Oscar, Self-pay
childhood trauma, identity exploration, self-worth/shame, anxiety, depression, and LGBTQIA+ care
BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UHC, and Self-pay
Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Grief/Loss, Women's Issues, School Issues, Self-Esteem, Trauma, Stress
Self-pay, BCBS, Aetna
Family, Couples, Individual Adults
BCBS, UHC, Aetna, Cigna, Oxford, Oscar, Self-pay, My-Group
Children, families, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, anger management, grief, stress, women's issues, ADHD, relationships, and self-esteem
BCBS, UHC, Aetna, Cigna, Oxford, Oscar, My-Group, and Self-pay
INTERNS
Amazing atmosphere and reliable people!
I love that everyone at Evoke is always creating a better mood for the environment around them and that no matter what, I can always rely on there being candy at the front desk
Mindy and Evoke are marvelous
The Evoke staff is incredible, the space is welcoming, the atmosphere is comforting, the list goes on and on. I have been with Mindy for over a year now, and I have never once had a bad experience. She creates a safe, judgment-free, positive, and respectful environment. Mindy listens fully and responds thoroughly each session, and always validates my feelings and experiences. I have full trust that anyone Mindy chose to work at Evoke is incredible at their job. If you are even just considering going to therapy, this is 100% the place to do it.
Everyone is sweet like candy!
Everyone here is so sweet! And very helpful. Plus they have free candy.
Fantastic experience and interactions
Anna has been nothing but kind and welcoming. She is very easy to talk to and makes me feel comfortable in sharing my feelings. The front staff have been very kind and helpful and the therapy rooms are so welcoming and comfortable.
Wonderful people
***** 5.0 – Everyone is nice and calm and helps out a lot.
So grateful for Anna!
I have been seeing Anna B. for almost 9 months and she is truly amazing! I’ve learned and continue to learn so much from her. The staff is also great. I’m glad I found Evoke and that Anna is helping me through this journey called life.
Lovely place and people
I absolutely love Evoke! It is such a beautiful space, and the yoga classes are top notch. The staff are all so kind. I’m definitely glad I found them.
So supportive and kind
This is a wonderfully supportive group! I have greatly benefited from my time with Anna, as well as participating in various yoga offerings. They go above and beyond for clients and are as caring and kind as they come!
Evoke is amazing!
The best, most comfortable space. I (heart) Evoke!
Can’t wait to go here!
I don’t even go here (yet) and I love the content and inclusivity you all provide to all!
Beginner-friendly yoga experience
I have been away from my yoga practice for almost 25 years. Shannon’s Beginner yoga class was very good. I really appreciated her gentle, yet informative way of teaching.
Lovely group of ladies!
Super comfy with amazing staff! I love that it’s all women here, a very safe female energy vibe.
A place for everyone!
Evoke is a very friendly and comfortable environment. Everyone is kind and helpful. They have a therapist for everyone and will do everything to make sure you get the perfect fit.
A blissful yoga experience
Yoga with Taylor was blissful! I loved her sequence of poses, the vibey playlist, mindful assists, and warm towels at the end for an added bonus.
Welcoming atmosphere and environment
The nicest, most welcoming bunch ever and the vibe of the office is perfection!
A place where any emotion is welcome
Everyone is very nice and accepting of all feelings.
No better partner than Mindy
I have been working with Mindy for a couple of years now and I cannot recommend her enough. Mindy is a true advocate for her clients. She is competent and intuitive while offering warmth and support. She is quick with a laugh, generous in empathy, and runs her practice with grace, integrity, and not a trace of judgment. I leave our sessions feeling empowered and at peace. If you need mental health support, you will not find a better partner than Mindy!
Personable and easy to talk to
I’ve been seeing Juliana for two weeks now but I absolutely love going to see her already! I initially called to just seek options but the receptionist was super helpful and paired me with Juliana and I couldn’t be happier! She is very easy to talk to and is personable with her patients, which is something I was missing with my previous therapist. I definitely recommend her to anyone looking for therapy! 🙂
Reminds me of who I am
There’s no way to truly communicate what Mindy has been, and continues to be in my life, but I’ll try… She reminds me who I am and what I’m capable of. She cares, profoundly so. That and her skillfully poignant, introspective questioning has enabled me to self reflect. To “overcome” an abuser, grief from losing a husband way too soon, to then accepting my sexuality and being able to finally, live my true self. So, if anyone is wondering if Mindy can help them, or what her “areas of expertise” primarily are, Mindy Carlson is an “All -of-Life” kind of therapist.
Juliana truly cares
I’ve been seeing Juliana for a few weeks now. Being someone who avoided any type of counseling/therapy for a while, I’m glad I got a good one from the start. I’ve heard the horror stories of bad therapists, but Juliana isn’t one of them. She really cares about you as a person, assures you’re getting the treatment you need, and makes you feel welcome. I was worried about getting personal with someone, but from the beginning I felt comfortable being completely honest with her.
Mindy is the absolute best!
I have been one of Mindy’s patients for about a year and a half. And in this time, I can wholeheartedly say that she is the best resource that I have in my life, outside of my family! She allows you to share without judgement, creates space for vulnerable/uncomfortable conversations, and ultimately gives you the power you need to navigate the good and not so good times. She is the absolute best! She also makes therapy extremely enjoyable and not a scary place!
faq
GETTING STARTED
We are conveniently located in Monkey Junction at 4833 Carolina Beach Road, next to Earthbound Salon and across from Family Dollar.
Our office and parking lot are accessible. Unfortunately, our yoga studio is on the second floor, and the building does not have an elevator if this is needed.
You will receive an email with a link to all necessary intake paperwork in the client portal. This will need to be completed before your first appointment. This usually takes around 5-10 minutes to complete. Other than that, we will need a copy of your insurance card if we are filing it for you and a state-issued ID. The admin team will let you know if anything else is needed based on your situation (custody paperwork, POA, etc.)
We know that the first appointment can be a bit intimidating whether you are a newbie to therapy or a seasoned therapy-goer. The first appointment is a time for your therapist to get to know you a little and vice versa. One of our amazing team members actually wrote a blog post about this very thing since it is such a common question. You can access the post here: What You Can Expect
If we are filing insurance on your behalf, you will receive an email from two places: Headway and SimplePractice. These are the platforms that we use to deliver services, maintain records, and file insurance claims. SimplePractice is for scheduling, client files, and telehealth if this is being utilized. Headway is a third-party billing service that files insurance claims for us. If we are not filing insurance on your behalf, you will only receive an email from SimplePractice.
§ You will need to create a profile for both platforms and complete their registration process. We know it might seem like a lot upfront, but there is minimal paperwork (if any) after that. All of this is necessary to protect you, the client, and us, the provider.
We have therapists who work with children starting at 4 years old, and it only goes up from there! We don’t have a maximum age, as we are firm believers that therapy can be beneficial at ANY age.
Glad you asked! We have a wonderful blog post related to this topic, as it really is one of the main determinants of whether your experience in therapy will be a positive one. Read about it here: How to find a “good fit” therapist
- There is real value in both psychological evaluations and mental health assessments. We do not currently offer psychological evaluations, but assessments are a valuable tool for treating mental health. New Directions explains this very well, so we won’t reinvent the wheel, so to speak:
- An assessment is provided by a licensed mental health professional and seeks to give a good broad overview of your mental health including screening for depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, PTSD, mood disorders, ADHD, phobias, and just about anything found in the diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals. Mental health assessments are generally going to be briefer than psychological evaluations and cost about one third to one fifth as much. Psychological evaluations, on the other hand, are similar to a mental health assessment, but they go into much more depth with regard to your mental health and particularly how your personality manifests in daily living and relationships. A “psych eval” report generally takes more than double the time to accomplish, produces a report 3-4 times as long, and costs substantially more if not covered by insurance (2019). Also keep in mind that a psychiatric evaluation and a psychological evaluation are different things as well, with the psychiatric portion determining whether medication management is a good option.
We do not prescribe medications. However, we are happy to help you determine whether a conversation with a medical professional about medication is a good option for you. You certainly do not have to be on medication to address concerns that you have about your mental health. Like many other interventions, medication can be a helpful tool on your road to well-being. This is an individualized choice and depends greatly on circumstances and symptoms.
Our therapists will tailor their work with you to help you meet your goals. Therapists vary in their preferred approach but most often pull from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Art Therapy, Child Therapy, and many others.
While we completely understand wanting to feel comfortable with your therapist, it is against our ethics to work with clients that we know personally. We love boundaries around here, and that is one we stick to!
This is another boundary that we love to keep. An effective therapeutic relationship is one that stays neutral and feels very safe. In the spirit of this as a priority, we do not see clients that know each other outside of Evoke Mind + Body. We love referrals and will be happy to schedule you, your friend, or family member with one of our other amazing team members!
Sometimes we have to lock the door for safety reasons if everyone is in session with their clients and there is no one at the front desk. If the door is locked, you can just wait in your car, and your therapist will come out to get you at the time of your appointment.
We try our very best to be prompt and attentive, so if you leave a voicemail or send an email, you can expect return communication the same day if it is before 4:00 pm or the next business day if it is after 4:00 pm.
& APPOINTMENTS
We sure do! We are happy to offer these options to clients.
This is a very easy and efficient way to get on the schedule! Just click here, go to “Request Appointment,” and follow the prompts.
Once you request an appointment, you will receive an email stating that your appointment is pending approval. The reason for this is to ensure that there are no other conflicts and that you get the time you want. The turnaround time on this is usually quite fast.
Of course! If you cannot get to the office for one reason or another, we can easily change your appointment to a virtual session. Just let one of our admin people know, and we will get it all set up.
Our therapists have schedules that fill up fairly quickly, so sometimes their online availability is limited. If you don’t see a time that works for you, we can add you to a therapist’s cancellation list, meaning that if a spot opens up, we will reach out and offer it to you. There are no hard feelings if you can’t take it; we simply offer it to someone else.
You and your therapist will have ongoing conversations about the cadence of your sessions. Often, we like to see clients close to weekly or biweekly to begin with and spread appointments out as you reach goals and it makes clinical sense to do so. Schedules vary from client to client, so just know that you and your therapist are in control of this (with a little input from the insurance companies).
There are a couple of nuances to this. If we are filing insurance on your behalf, the insurance companies have some rules around having more than one appointment in a given week, though there are circumstances where this is permitted. If you are a self-pay client, these restrictions are not a factor. If you are at a pace that is more spread out, we understand that things come up sometimes and the support of your therapist might be warranted sooner. If this happens, you are welcome to schedule an additional appointment or move your next appointment to be sooner. Our lovely admin team is always ready and willing to help in this regard.
We love to see our clients and understand that life happens sometimes. If you need to cancel an appointment, please do so more than 48 hours in advance. This ensures that we can offer that spot to someone who might be on a cancellation list or address other issues if needed. If you do not cancel within 48 hours’ notice, the late cancellation fee is $50…and trust us when we say that we really don’t like imposing this. You will receive reminders about any upcoming appointment, so respond quickly if you have a conflict. If you need to cancel a Monday appointment, you will need to cancel before close of business on Friday to avoid a late cancellation fee.
Like anyone else, your therapist may run a few minutes behind from time to time. If you are “in the room” and your therapist isn’t there yet, they should be on shortly. This rarely happens, but if you have been waiting for an extended period of time (15+ minutes past the scheduled start time), there may be a problem with the link or connection. Feel free to call the office and let them know that you have been waiting. They will work to remedy it immediately.
INSURANCE
& PAYMENT INFO
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, and Oxford. Be sure to check your therapist’s bio, as not all providers accept all insurance.
Let’s talk credentialing and enrollment. We will make every effort to pair you with a therapist that is able to bill your insurance. Providers are “enrolled” or “paneled” with insurance companies, which means that they have been vetted and approved by the insurance company to provide certain services. Each insurance company has their own set of requirements for this approval. If your therapist does not meet those requirements (this is often years in the field or something along those lines and does NOT mean that they are any less awesome), then they will not be able to be paneled with that insurance company. Currently, Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only private insurance company that credentials provisionally licensed providers. In that case, you can pay out of pocket for your sessions, consider another provider, and/or we can provide a superbill that you can file with your insurance company (in this case, we would not file insurance on your behalf and would not be able to advocate for reimbursement).
If something doesn’t look right to you, we will absolutely work to correct it. You can contact us by phone or email, and we will work with the insurance company and/or biller to verify benefits, challenge charges, etc.
If we are filing insurance on your behalf, we will verify benefits and discuss your copay/responsibility with you.
- Self-pay rates are as follows:
§ Individual intake session: $125
§ Individual follow-up sessions: $115
§ Couples intake session: $160*
§ Couples follow-up sessions: $140*
§ Group therapy: $25-30
*Please note that couples counseling is not covered by insurance. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through your employer may cover this cost, so check with your workplace to verify.
Our third-party biller requires that a credit card remain on file. If there is any concern about this, please discuss with one of our admin team to work towards a solution.
We do! We currently accept EAP benefits through Optum and Cigna, as well as MyGroup. If you have EAP benefits, you will need to contact the EAP first to get a referral and/or approval number. Then we will be happy to get you scheduled!
They absolutely can with your consent. Let us know if this is necessary, and we will get a Release of Information from you to stay HIPAA compliant.
You can simply provide your insurance information to us, and we will take it from there!
CHILD THERAPY
Children have big emotions in small bodies, so sometimes this comes out in their behaviors. We love when parents are eager and available to their child’s therapeutic process! Your child’s therapist will meet with you throughout the time that they are working with your child to relay any techniques or tips that might help your child express and understand their emotions better. Ongoing communication between parent and therapist is vital for a child’s success in therapy!
We get it: an hour of alone time to run to the grocery store or browse Walgreens seems like heaven when you are a busy parent. However, because of liability and safety, we ask that you stay in the building if you have a child under 16 years old in session. Your child’s therapist may want to bring you in to discuss ways to support your child and will need you to be pretty close by if they go looking for you. Our office is on a very busy, very fast road (not to mention a parking lot with lots of coming and going), and it only takes a moment for the front door to open. We always err on the side of caution when it comes to your child’s well-being, and we ask that you play a vital role in maintaining that.
If all paperwork is completed by a parent or guardian, your driving teenager may bring themselves to their session. You may be contacted by our office administrators or your child’s therapist to discuss various matters, so please just avail yourself to those instances if the need arises.
COUPLES THERAPY
Couples counseling is very individualized since no two couples are alike. This is a decision that you and your therapist will discuss to determine the best approach. Sometimes your therapist might want to meet with one or both of you individually, but prioritizing sessions regardless of who attends is important to your overall success.
The therapist’s role is to support you and your partner in whatever decision you ultimately make about the fate of the relationship. We love when couples can work things out, but we also understand that not every relationship is meant to last and can help with that transition as well.
The short answer is yes logistically speaking, but the reality is that the other person in the relationship will need to engage in the process early on.
THE WHAT IFs
If you are having a mental health crisis and in an unsafe situation (i.e. you are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else), these resources can help:
§ call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
§ call 988, the national 24-hour suicide and crisis hotline
§ do not be alone…reach out to a safe support person
§ call the office to be scheduled as soon as possible. We are here to help!
While we offer a wide breadth of services and treat lots of different things, there are times when we need to enlist the support of another provider or specialist in addition to your therapy here. We will be happy to get you connected with the right people if we are not able to support you fully.
Act natural…don’t look them directly in the eye…they are more scared of you than you are of them. All joking aside, therapists are people outside of the office, and Wilmington is not a very big town. Your therapist will not approach you first so as to respect your privacy and confidentiality. However, you are welcome to say “Hi” if you wish and are comfortable with it.
We want your experience to be a great one, but sometimes things happen that make it a little less than great. You can email info@evokemindandbody.com, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also speak to one of our admin team members to address any concerns you have.
Your therapist and the admin team have access to your records in ordinary circumstances. You can give us written permission to allow certain designated people to have access (and can revoke this at any time). The other times that confidentiality can be broken is in the event that you are experiencing suicidal or homicidal ideations, there is reason to suspect abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person, the records are subpoenaed by legal action, or information is requested by the insurance company to verify medical necessity for the services you are receiving. More information can be found in the Notice of Privacy Practices form.
We can’t know what it is like to be a client at Evoke Mind and Body, though we try to consider everything from a client-centered perspective. We love it when our clients give us kind and constructive feedback about ways that we can improve your experience. Feel free to email info@evokemindandbody.com or speak to one of our admin team members.
We are here to help answer any questions you have! You can contact us by phone at (910) 833-7122 or by email at info@evokemindandbody.com.
CLINICAL SUPERVISION
Mindy is currently taking new supervisees for LCSW-A clinical practice. Click here to contact her and to schedule a meet and greet!
specializing in:
No more telling you to “just relax.” We meet you where you are and help you find the tools to cope with what life throws at you (or what you think it will throw at you, amiright?)
Find and focus on your inner strength as we explore both the trials and the wins. Reclaim the power that you inherently possess with a little bit of encouragement and gentle challenge.
Child Therapy offers a safe space for children (and their caretakers at times) where a patient and non-judgemental ear is always available for any child, teen, or adolescent. In child therapy, we work on understanding and regulating emotions and enhancing social well-being. We work to address these difficulties in any environment or context, such as at school, with family, socially, and more.
Life transitions – Whether you are seeking support for a planned life event or an unexpected situation, our therapists will assist you in developing goals and deciding what will be helpful during this time. Change can be difficult, but our therapists are here to process it with you.
Couples Counseling aims to improve or rebuild a relationship between partners and spouses. The counselor helps develop effective communication patterns and conflict resolution strategies to address any concerns that a couple may have.
Family conflict comes in all forms and quite frankly can be seemingly impossible to avoid. Let’s work through how to have the hard conversations and set boundaries that strengthen your inner peace.
