About Me – Maggie Hoop, LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor)
Hi there! I’m Maggie, and yes – I’m a proud geek and a professional therapist. 😊 Let me share a bit about what I do and who I am, so you can decide if I’m the right counselor for you.
My Counseling Approach (For the Curious Minds)
I believe the relationship between us is the most important ingredient in therapy. In other words, you’re not coming to a “clinic” to be fixed – you’re entering a supportive partnership where we figure things out together. My style is flexible and tailored to you, because no two people (and no two brains) are the same.
A lot of my approach is rooted in Gestalt therapy. (Never heard of it? No worries!) Gestalt just means I pay attention to your whole story and context, not just isolated symptoms. I know that who you are has been shaped by your experiences, relationships, and environment – kind of like how a character in a game is shaped by their backstory and world. Instead of forcing change, I believe growth happens when you fully accept yourself and become more aware of what you truly feel and need. I’ll help you shine a light on those hidden parts of your life (or personality) that might be affecting you, so you can understand them and, when you’re ready, make changes on your terms.
> Fun fact: One of the thinkers who inspires me is Fritz Perls – the (admittedly crotchety) old founder of Gestalt therapy. He was a bit of a rebel in the therapy world. What I take from his work is the idea that we can’t be objective robots with each other – I bring my humanity into our sessions and honor yours. Therapy with me is a real, human encounter, not a sterile textbook exercise.
In practical terms, this means our sessions might include deep conversation, mindful awareness exercises, maybe a metaphor or two (you’ll quickly see I love a good sci-fi or gaming metaphor!), and tools from various therapy techniques I’ve learned. I have training and experience in a range of areas – from helping people through intense crises, to tackling trauma and PTSD, to guiding folks with anxiety and identity questions. Rest assured, I’ve got the credentials (I’m licensed in North Carolina and have years of experience), but what matters most is I’ll meet you where you are and adapt to what works for you.
(Phew, still with me?) In short: My approach = flexible, collaborative, and holistic. We’ll focus on self-awareness, self-acceptance, and finding creative strategies that fit you. And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys knowing the “why” behind things, I’m happy to nerd out about theory, too – or we can skip the jargon and just dive into your story.
Who I Am Outside the Office (The Geeky Bits)
When I’m not wearing my therapist hat, I’m a full-fledged geeky human. 🎲 What does that mean? Well, for starters, I’ve spent a LOT of time in school and academia (what can I say, I love learning!). I’ve been a student or staff at a small liberal arts college in the Pacific Northwest, a mid-sized research university out West, a big R1 university in the South, and even a huge state school in the Midwest cornfields. All that eventually led me to North Carolina’s Research Triangle – it seems I’m drawn to places of learning and growth, which probably explains why I love the growth part of therapy so much.
In my free time, you’ll likely find me:
Immersed in board games and RPGs. (I’m always down for a campaign or a round of Wyrmspan!)
Cross-stitching subversive sayings. (My wall art might make your grandma blush or laugh.)
Nursing a cup of coffee like it’s life’s potion of mana, while people-watching at local cafés.
Debating pop culture trivia – yes, the Star Trek vs. Star Wars debate is alive and well in my home.
Exploring new geeky hobbies – from comic conventions to sci-fi film marathons, I love it all.
I’m also someone who values diversity and open-mindedness in my personal life. I identify as a bit of a non-conformist. I’m LGBTQ+ friendly, neurodiversity friendly (hello, fellow ADHDers and Autistic folks 👋), kink-aware, and poly-affirming. These aren’t just buzzwords to me – they’re part of who I am and the community I belong to.
So, when I say I welcome geeks, gamers, nerds, goths, punks, queers, polys, kinksters, and anyone who feels “out of the box,” I truly mean it. I’ve likely walked some of those paths myself or with close friends. My life experiences (and yes, my own misadventures and mistakes) have taught me a lot of empathy.
Why do I do this work? Because I’m a geek about people. The way our brains work, the stories we carry, and the connections we make fascinate me. I became a counselor to turn that passion into help for others. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than seeing someone embrace their true self and level up in life.
Thanks for reading this far and getting to know me! If my mix of professional know-how + geeky irreverence sounds like a fit for you, I’d love to connect. Feel free to check out the rest of my site or reach out with any questions.
(Oh, and if you were wondering: I secretly love both Star Trek and Star Wars – but shh, don’t tell the purists. 😉)