Specialties and Therapy Approach
- Anxiety disorders - Depression
- Relationship issues - Trauma/PTSD
- Eating/Body image disorders - Career Counseling
- Addictions and other compulsive behaviors.
- Adults and adolescents (age 13+)
- Individual, couple’s and family therapy
- Therapy approach: Cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and experiential/emotion-focused theories with multicultural and developmental influences. Different aspects of this approach are emphasized depending on a client's needs, preferences, and presenting concerns. Mindfulness, meditation and EMDR are incorporated into treatment as appropriate.
- Anxiety disorders - Depression
- Relationship issues - Trauma/PTSD
- Eating/Body image disorders - Career Counseling
- Addictions and other compulsive behaviors.
- Adults and adolescents (age 13+)
- Individual, couple’s and family therapy
- Therapy approach: Cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and experiential/emotion-focused theories with multicultural and developmental influences. Different aspects of this approach are emphasized depending on a client's needs, preferences, and presenting concerns. Mindfulness, meditation and EMDR are incorporated into treatment as appropriate.
Dr. Ferguson believes that therapy is a collaborative process of exploring an individual’s concerns to gain insight into how and why their problems developed. Sometimes problems stem from early family experiences or other traumas we have experienced in our lives. Other times problems develop because we don't have the skills to cope with the stress of work, relationships and our own emotional reactions. Dr. Ferguson strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment in which to explore your concerns and experiment with new ways of relating to yourself and others. She works with clients to increase their self-awareness, self-acceptance, and options for coping with distress. As she views wellness from a holistic perspective, therapy often addresses a combination of mental, emotional, interpersonal, physical, and spiritual aspects of one’s life.
Education, Training and Clinical Experience
Dr. Ferguson has always had an interest in learning about people and helping others. Even before school age, she was often found with a notepad, taking "data" on her own bodily processes, thoughts and feelings. As she grew up, she became passionate about observing social dynamics in groups and contemplating the different pieces of the puzzle that make up the complexity of human life. Thus, a career in psychology was a natural progression for her. She feels grateful for the opportunity to help people make the important discoveries about themselves and the world through the process of therapy. What an honor it is to be a part of another person's therapeutic journey.
She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her clinical experience includes working in university counseling and career centers as well as a drug and alcohol treatment center for women and an inpatient hospital for children and adolescents. In 2007, she was awarded the Bill Schafer Scholarship for clinical excellence and service to the Student Counseling Service. She began working in private practice in 2009 and loves the transformation she is able to witness in her clients in this setting. In the past, she has taught Abnormal Psychology to undergraduates at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is fully licensed to practice psychology in the state of North Carolina.
Outside of work, Dr. Ferguson is an avid nature-lover, runner and arts-and-crafter. She enjoys hiking and exploring nature, playing and being with friends, reading and learning, being near the ocean, swimming and boogie boarding (but not brave enough to try surfing yet!). She is married to her long-time partner of over 20 years and they have one son, Lucas, who is adorable.
Dr. Ferguson has always had an interest in learning about people and helping others. Even before school age, she was often found with a notepad, taking "data" on her own bodily processes, thoughts and feelings. As she grew up, she became passionate about observing social dynamics in groups and contemplating the different pieces of the puzzle that make up the complexity of human life. Thus, a career in psychology was a natural progression for her. She feels grateful for the opportunity to help people make the important discoveries about themselves and the world through the process of therapy. What an honor it is to be a part of another person's therapeutic journey.
She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her clinical experience includes working in university counseling and career centers as well as a drug and alcohol treatment center for women and an inpatient hospital for children and adolescents. In 2007, she was awarded the Bill Schafer Scholarship for clinical excellence and service to the Student Counseling Service. She began working in private practice in 2009 and loves the transformation she is able to witness in her clients in this setting. In the past, she has taught Abnormal Psychology to undergraduates at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is fully licensed to practice psychology in the state of North Carolina.
Outside of work, Dr. Ferguson is an avid nature-lover, runner and arts-and-crafter. She enjoys hiking and exploring nature, playing and being with friends, reading and learning, being near the ocean, swimming and boogie boarding (but not brave enough to try surfing yet!). She is married to her long-time partner of over 20 years and they have one son, Lucas, who is adorable.
Professional Publications and Presentations
Dr. Ferguson is invested in contributing to issues of social justice and diversity. She has been conducting psychological research on these areas since her undergraduate education and continues to use this knowledge in treating diverse populations in her practice today. People from all cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations are welcome. Below are some examples of scholarly work she has conducted in this area.
Publications
Ferguson, T. M., Leach, M. M., Levy, J. J., Nicholson, B. C., & Johnson, J.D. (2008).
Influences on counselor race preferences: Distinguishing racial attitudes from racial
identity. The Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 36, 70-80.
Ferguson, T., Berlin, J., Noles, E., Johnson, J., & Reed, W. (2005): Variation in “promiscuous
female” stereotype application and nature of application domain: Influences on sexual harassment judgments after exposure to “Jerry Springer.” Sex Roles, 52(7/8), 477-488.
Johnson, J., Simmons, S., Trawalter, S., & Ferguson, T. (2003). Factors that influence and
mediate attributions of “ambiguously racist” behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 609-622.
Presentations
Swinson, A., Ferguson, T., Springs, R., Carr, B., & Nelson, S. (May, 2022). Trauma therapy: An
eclectic blend of EMDR, Polyvagal interventions, and ego states therapy. Presented on a
a protocol for helping clients to build self-love. Presented by Seahec. Wilmington, NC.
Ferguson, T. M., Leach, M. M., Nicholson, B. C., & Levy, J. J. (2006). Influences on counselor
race preferences: Distinguishing racial attitudes from racial identity. Poster presented at the 114th annual American Psychological Association Conference. New Orleans, LA.
Wagner, W., Reed, V., & Ferguson, T. (2006). Quantitative evaluation of service learning for k-8
and college students. Symposium presented at the National Service Learning Conference.
Philadelphia, PA.
Wagner, W., Reed, V., Bennett, L. & Ferguson, T. (2006). Civic education in college. Workshop
presented at the 4th annual International Civic Education Conference. Orlando, FL.
Wagner, W., Reed, V., Bennett, L. & Ferguson, T. (2006). Civic education in elementary
education. Workshop presented at the 4th annual International Civic Education
Conference. Orlando, FL.
Nicholson, B., Ferguson, T., Houston-Scales, T., & McMorris, L. (2004). The influence of
religiosity, parent’s personality, and child behavior in parenting young children. Symposium presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association annual conference. Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Ferguson is invested in contributing to issues of social justice and diversity. She has been conducting psychological research on these areas since her undergraduate education and continues to use this knowledge in treating diverse populations in her practice today. People from all cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations are welcome. Below are some examples of scholarly work she has conducted in this area.
Publications
Ferguson, T. M., Leach, M. M., Levy, J. J., Nicholson, B. C., & Johnson, J.D. (2008).
Influences on counselor race preferences: Distinguishing racial attitudes from racial
identity. The Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 36, 70-80.
Ferguson, T., Berlin, J., Noles, E., Johnson, J., & Reed, W. (2005): Variation in “promiscuous
female” stereotype application and nature of application domain: Influences on sexual harassment judgments after exposure to “Jerry Springer.” Sex Roles, 52(7/8), 477-488.
Johnson, J., Simmons, S., Trawalter, S., & Ferguson, T. (2003). Factors that influence and
mediate attributions of “ambiguously racist” behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 609-622.
Presentations
Swinson, A., Ferguson, T., Springs, R., Carr, B., & Nelson, S. (May, 2022). Trauma therapy: An
eclectic blend of EMDR, Polyvagal interventions, and ego states therapy. Presented on a
a protocol for helping clients to build self-love. Presented by Seahec. Wilmington, NC.
Ferguson, T. M., Leach, M. M., Nicholson, B. C., & Levy, J. J. (2006). Influences on counselor
race preferences: Distinguishing racial attitudes from racial identity. Poster presented at the 114th annual American Psychological Association Conference. New Orleans, LA.
Wagner, W., Reed, V., & Ferguson, T. (2006). Quantitative evaluation of service learning for k-8
and college students. Symposium presented at the National Service Learning Conference.
Philadelphia, PA.
Wagner, W., Reed, V., Bennett, L. & Ferguson, T. (2006). Civic education in college. Workshop
presented at the 4th annual International Civic Education Conference. Orlando, FL.
Wagner, W., Reed, V., Bennett, L. & Ferguson, T. (2006). Civic education in elementary
education. Workshop presented at the 4th annual International Civic Education
Conference. Orlando, FL.
Nicholson, B., Ferguson, T., Houston-Scales, T., & McMorris, L. (2004). The influence of
religiosity, parent’s personality, and child behavior in parenting young children. Symposium presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association annual conference. Atlanta, GA.