Miranda Sharp, MSW, LCSW

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina, and I’m the owner of Sharp Counseling, PLLC, a telehealth therapy practice. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of South Florida in 2018 and have 6 years of clinical experience working with active-duty military and veterans. I am also a Marine Corps spouse of ten years and am deeply familiar with the common issues that arise for active-duty military members and their families. I proudly serve members of the Sneads Ferry, Holly Ridge, Topsail Beach, and Surf City communities. My counseling is inclusive of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC. My work is based on attachment theory and my primary modalities are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I help individual adults and couples to… • Navigate and reduce military-related work and life stress • Understand, process, and heal the wounds left by trauma • Learn how to heal attachment • Learn and ingrain healthy communication skills that actually help • Build intimacy in relationship, both physical and emotional • Set healthy boundaries to encourage closeness My clients are people for whom high stress and/or trauma has formed a wedge between themselves and the people they love. They want to reconnect with their emotions and reengage in their relationships but are not sure how. Do you notice decreased connection to your friends and family during times of higher stress? Stress can cause us to isolate, which then causes additional stress which increases our likelihood to isolate further in a vicious cycle that can feel endless. Don’t worry, I can help with that. The strongest structures have the best support, and my goal is to help you learn how to navigate stressful times while building healthier relationships, for lasting resilience. I will help you turn toward your support system and build connectedness that leaves you stronger than before. I believe that relationships and connectedness are the most important factors impacting our wellbeing in general, and that learning and implementing skills to develop healthier connections can be life changing. What to expect from couples counseling (or couples therapy) with me: + Helps build emotional connection: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) strengthens bonds by helping couples understand and respond to each other's emotional needs. + Improves communication: Breaks negative cycles of conflict and learn healthy ways to express feelings and needs. + Focuses on safety and trust: Creates a safe space to address military-related stressors and rebuild trust, especially after deployments or long separations. + Supports lasting change: Develop skills to keep your relationship resilient, even in the tough times that so commonly arise in military life. Many of my couples counseling clients are couples in which one or both members are active duty Marines working on Camp Lejeune, Stone Bay, or New River Air Station. I specialize in EFT specifically because I think it is the most helpful treatment modality for military couples. It’s about reconnecting emotionally, improving communication, and building a stronger relationship that lasts through stress and separation. What to expect from individual counseling (or individual therapy) with me: + A trusted, confidential space to explore military-related stress, trauma, and reintegration challenges. + Support in rebuilding emotional well-being and focusing on your core values, whether for your family, career, or personal goals. + A compassionate approach to navigating the unique stresses of military life, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), combat experience, and transitioning to civilian life. +EMDR clients can expect to... -Process military-related trauma or difficult memories to reduce emotional distress. -Use proven techniques (like eye movements) to reframe negative beliefs and promote healing from past experiences. -Address both past trauma and current challenges to build emotional strength for the future. +ACT clients can expect to... -Learn to accept and manage emotions, especially those linked to military service, rather than avoiding them. -Build resilience and psychological flexibility, focusing on actions that align with your values. -Develop mindfulness skills to stay grounded during difficult moments, especially when dealing with the transition back to civilian life or reintegrating/reconnecting with family. Many of my individual mental health counseling (or mental health therapy) clients live in Sneads Ferry, Holly Ridge, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. They are active duty or retired Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers who have worked on or near Camp Lejeune, Stone Bay, and New River Air Station. I chose to use ACT and EMDR as a therapist working with military members and veterans because these modalities are particularly effective in addressing the unique challenges they face. EMDR helps process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional intensity of combat or military-related experiences, promoting healing and emotional recovery. ACT, on the other hand, empowers individuals to accept difficult emotions and align their actions with their values, helping them navigate the stresses of military life, reintegration, and the transition to civilian life. Together, these therapies provide a comprehensive approach to healing, resilience, and building lasting emotional strength. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Client testimonials: “You saved a marriage” -Adult male recipient of couple's counseling, Holly Ridge resident “She knows what she is doing and it shows. She saved my life in more ways than I thought… She is great overall and I would recommend her to everybody. Her work speaks for her.” -Adult male recipient of individual counseling, Sneads Ferry resident “Miranda is the best counselor I have ever met with. She valued my responses and she valued my husband’s responses. She has empathy and gave us tools to strengthen our marriage over the years. I would recommend Miranda to anyone. Her knowledge has shown through in versatile ways and I will forever be grateful.” -Adult female recipient of couple's counseling, Surf City resident “Miranda has literally changed my life… I have grown emotionally as a husband, father, and friend. Miranda has an unbelievable ability to listen, understand, and give feedback, while provoking thoughts in me that I could never have reached on my own.” -Adult male recipient of individual counseling, Sneads Ferry resident