At Mindful Horizons, we serve those who have been silenced, shamed, or made to feel unworthy — those struggling with confidence, boundaries, and self-worth shaped by toxic relationships or societal pressure. Through a direct, trauma-informed, person-centered approach, we build deeply human, healing relationships rooted in compassion, honesty, and unconditional positive regard.

Our work is grounded in the belief that healing begins when people feel truly seen — not tolerated, but respected and empowered. We teach with clarity, challenge with care, and walk beside our clients as they reclaim their voice, their boundaries, and their freedom. Every person deserves to live as their fullest, most authentic self — and we are here to make that possible.

Mission

We envision a world where healing is not a luxury, but a birthright — where people rise from their pain with clarity, confidence, and courage. A world where boundaries are honored, not punished; where assertiveness and kindness coexist; and where no one is ever too far gone to be helped, seen, or held.

At Mindful Horizons, we dream of changing lives — not just through therapy, but through radical humanity. We believe that every person is more than their behaviors, more than their past, and infinitely worthy of growth. We will never abandon the values of unconditional regard, relational safety, and accountability — even as we grow. And years from now, we hope those who crossed our path will say, without hesitation: “This place changed my life.”

At Mindful Horizons Counseling, our core values are deeply aligned with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. We believe in the foundational importance of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

But we also believe values should not live on paper alone—they should breathe within our practice. In addition to those guiding principles, we hold space for values that reflect the heartbeat of Mindful Horizons:

• Intentional Awareness
  Growth begins with honest attention. We cultivate self-awareness as both a clinical tool and a personal practice—honoring the power of presence in every interaction.

• Relational Safety
  Healing happens in relationship. We prioritize transparency, consistency, and compassion to create space where people can show up fully without fear.

• Boundaries as Care
  We do not see boundaries as walls, but as bridges to deeper connection. We model and support healthy boundary-setting as a radical act of self-worth.

• Embodied Integrity
  We show up as real people. Our work is grounded in congruence between who we are, what we believe, and how we practice.

• Creativity and Curiosity
  No one-size-fits-all therapy here. We value creativity, flexibility, and the courage to ask deeper questions—about ourselves, our systems, and our clients’ inner worlds.

• Accountability with Compassion
  We believe in holding space for both mistakes and repair. Accountability is not about punishment—it’s about honoring impact and choosing growth.

Meet Our Team

Dustin Nisley, LCSW, CSAM

Owner & Clinical Director

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Specialist in Anger Management

Originally from Indiana with small-town roots, big feelings, and a lifelong tendency to ask why people are the way they are, I’ve always been the one people turn to when they need to talk — not just because I listen, but because I feel deeply and reflect back what most folks haven’t had mirrored before. These days, I am based in the mountains of Western North Carolina, building a life, a practice, and a sense of groundedness in a place that feels like home.

When I’m not in session, you’ll probably find me drinking strong coffee, clearing my head at the gym, hanging with my dogs (Helo and Rhoni), or trying to finish one of the five knit or crochet projects I definitely said I’d finish last week. I believe healing should be real, not polished — raw where it needs to be, tender when it matters most.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2012 and my Master of Social Work in 2017 — both from Indiana University in Bloomington, the school that shaped the foundation of who I am. From the time I received my BSW up until 2021, I worked in child welfare in multiple roles, the most recent being a child protective services investigator on a specialized DV/IPV (domestic and intimate partner violence) team. I later became a therapist at a domestic violence shelter, where I had the opportunity to support both survivors and those who caused harm. I am currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Specialist in Anger Management (CSAM), and I’ve built my practice on everything I’ve learned from walking alongside people in some of the most complex, high-stakes moments of their lives.

I currently supervise MSW student interns in trauma-informed therapeutic work and will begin offering clinical supervision for provisionally licensed social workers starting in Fall 2025. During the academic year, I also teach human services courses at the local community college in my area.

Mentoring new clinicians and shaping the next generation of trauma-informed therapists is something I find deep meaning in.

But more than any title or degree, what matters most to me is showing up with honesty, integrity, and a deep respect for the courage it takes to begin again.