We were lucky to catch up with April Dupree recently and have shared our conversation below.

April, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

The defining moment of my career was born out of the 2020 pandemic. At the time, I saw many of my clients losing their jobs and their health insurance, leaving them without a safety net during one of the most stressful periods of our lives. I couldn’t bear to see them lose their support system, so I began seeing them virtually under the name Butterfly Counseling.

What started as a small act of continuity quickly turned into a crossroads. My mentor gave me a piece of advice that changed everything: ‘When a door opens, you walk through it.’ Despite the fear of the unknown, I took that leap of faith. Transitioning from a group practice to my own solo practice taught me that growth often requires us to leave the cocoon of comfort. Today, Butterfly Counseling is a testament to that journey—showing that even in times of chaos, we can find the wings to start something beautiful.

April, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Journey of Butterfly Counseling

I’m April Dupree, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and the founder of Butterfly Counseling, PLLC. My path into this field was deeply personal. I established the practice in 2021—launching officially in early 2022—in loving memory of my mother. Her legacy of care is the heartbeat of everything we do.

The name “Butterfly” isn’t just aesthetic; it represents the profound metamorphosis I see in my clients. Much like a butterfly’s journey, healing often requires a period of significant transition and vulnerability before one can emerge stronger and more resilient. My mission is to guide people through that personal evolution.

We serve a wide range of ages, from children as young as four to adolescents and adults. At Butterfly Counseling, we don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, we offer a diverse toolkit of evidence-based and creative therapies, including:

Specialized Trauma Care: As a trained EMDR therapist, I specialize in helping clients process PTSD and past trauma, which I believe is often the root of current struggles.

Behavioral & Creative Arts: We utilize CBT, DBT, and Art Therapy to give clients both practical tools for change and creative outlets for expression.

Diverse Support: From anxiety and depression to more complex issues like domestic violence recovery, self-esteem, and family dynamics, we meet our clients exactly where they are.

What truly distinguishes us is our “collective, creative, and charismatic” spirit. We aren’t just a clinic; we are a group of individuals with unique passions unified by one goal: serving the desperate need for mental health support in our community.

We’ve recently relocated to a brand-new office in Angier, NC, serving Harnett, Southern Wake, and Johnston Counties. While moving can sometimes feel like starting over, I view it as a fresh journey. We’ve faced obstacles that were out of our control, but our commitment to “helping people help people” is unshakeable. Whether in-person or virtually, we provide a space where it is safe to grow.

I am most proud of the fact that we have remained a beacon of hope through seasons of change. I want potential clients and followers to know that within you lies an incredible strength. You might feel like you’re in the middle of a difficult transition right now, but we are here to support you through that “cocoon” phase. We are honored to be a part of your story, and we can’t wait to see where you will fly.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Whenever I hear the word “pivot,” I can’t help but think of that classic Friends episode where they are struggling to move a couch up a narrow staircase and Ross is shouting, “Pivot! Pivot!” Growing a business often feels exactly like that—trying to navigate a heavy load through a tight space, realizing the old way isn’t working, and having to shift gears instantly to survive.

For Butterfly Counseling, 2025 was the year of the pivot. It was a year defined by obstacles that were entirely out of our control, testing both my professional resolve and my personal health.

We faced a significant challenge when we discovered that internal mismanagement of resources by a previous member of our team had left the practice in financial distress. Because we were still a relatively young business, we didn’t have the long-standing credit history to easily secure loans to bridge that gap. At the same time, we were dealing with industry-wide shifts as insurance companies restructured, leading to significant delays in payments for the sessions we had already provided.

While many offices in our field were unfortunately forced to close their doors due to these same financial pressures, we chose to fight. We made the hard decisions, tightened our belts, and stayed open because our commitment to our clients was non-negotiable.

While I was fighting to keep the business steady, I was also fighting a silent battle with my health. I spent much of 2025 visiting specialists, searching for answers as to why I was becoming increasingly ill. Finally, we uncovered the source: mold within our building. This led to the most difficult but necessary pivot of my life. I deeply loved the community we were in, but I realized I couldn’t effectively care for others if I wasn’t healthy myself. Relocating to our new office in Angier was a choice to prioritize well-being—both mine and my clients’—and it has opened the door to a fresh, healthy chapter for Butterfly Counseling.

Relocating has brought me an incredible sense of peace, and I am finally beginning to feel like myself again. Starting over in a new town feels like a fresh journey filled with possibilities rather than a setback.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from this “year of the pivot,” it’s that resilience isn’t just about staying the course—it’s about having the courage to change the course. I am extremely proud that through financial distress and health crises, Butterfly Counseling never stopped flying. We are here, we are healthy, and we are ready for this next chapter.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation in the market has been built on a very simple personal and professional mission: To Help People Help People. For me, this work has always been about more than just one-on-one sessions; it’s about creating a ripple effect of wellness and support in the community.

There are three main pillars that I believe have defined my brand:

1. Commitment to Accessibility

Mental health is a universal need, yet so many people feel they can’t seek help because of the cost. I’ve built a reputation for actually doing something about that. We consistently host interns from Master’s counseling programs at our office, which allows us to offer services to clients who might not otherwise be able to afford the self-pay rate. By pouring into the next generation of counselors, we ensure that more people in our community have a seat at the table.

2. Community Advocacy

I’ve always been a champion for small businesses. Before my health required me to take a temporary pause, I hosted many community vendor markets to give local entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their work. I believe that when small businesses thrive, the whole community is healthier. I am so excited to be at a point now where I am planning to bring those vendor markets back—either at our new Angier office or in partnership with others who share that same passion for local growth.

3. Leading with Vulnerability

Long before I became a counselor, I made a vow to myself: I will always be who I am. Whether I’m in a clinical setting, a community event, or a grocery store, what you see is what you get. I think people in this industry often feel they have to fit into a certain ‘blank slate’ mold, but I’ve found that my clients and peers appreciate that I stay true to myself.

I operate with the mindset that we can agree to disagree and still live in a peaceful world. I don’t spend my energy worrying about being everyone’s cup of tea—if I am fulfilling my purpose and staying grounded in my values, then I am doing my job. That level of transparency builds a unique kind of trust; people know that when they talk to me, they are getting the real April.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.butterflycounselingnc.com
• Instagram: butterflycounselingnc
• Facebook: butterflycounselingnc
• Other: TikTok: aprilsunshinedupree