Dr. Richard Highland, LPC-MHSP, LPC

Dr. Richard Highland is a licensed professional counselor with 27 years of clinical experience, holding LPC-MHSP and LPC credentials and licensed to practice in Tennessee and Georgia. LPC-MHSP denotes Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider and LPC denotes Licensed Professional Counselor, reflecting his training and authorization to provide mental health care. He works with adults facing a range of challenges including stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship concerns, LGBT issues, and self-esteem struggles.

His practice also addresses many related areas such as caregiver stress, aging and geriatric concerns, family and attachment issues, substance use and codependency, communication and commitment difficulties, and coping with major life changes like divorce or illness. Dr. Highland emphasizes a strengths-based approach, noting that people are the experts in their own stories and that existing strengths can be mobilized to meet challenges. He approaches each person with respect for their courage in seeking change and offers support and empowerment as clients take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Dr. Highland uses evidence-informed techniques to help clients set goals and build practical skills while tailoring his approach to each individual’s needs and preferences. He provides therapy in English and offers a collaborative environment focused on problem solving, coping strategies, and personal growth.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaching practical skills to change them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday problems where changing thoughts and habits can improve functioning.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches gentle awareness of present-moment experiences without judgment. It can help reduce reactivity, improve emotional regulation, and support coping with stress, chronic worry, and difficult emotions.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented conversation style that helps people resolve ambivalence and strengthen motivation for change. It is especially useful when working on addictions, behavior change, or readiness to tackle challenging life adjustments.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Highland works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors techniques from these approaches to fit the individual. This collaborative process helps ensure that therapy methods align with what the client finds most helpful.

Online therapy with Dr. Highland offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone, and options for live chat or text-based messaging make it easier to fit support into a busy life. These formats increase accessibility and allow continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible, while still enabling goal-focused, skill-building work with a licensed professional.