“Therapy is not boring. We love to cut up. We like to have fun, but we also like to educate.”
For many people, the idea of therapy can feel intimidating, clinical, or even negative.
Rene Best, CEO of AnewU Counseling wants people to see therapy for what it really is: a relationship, a collaboration, and a space to simply be human.
“Don’t think mental health in a negative way,” Rene says. “It’s more therapy, more relationship, more collaboration with our clients.”
Life Is Heavy, and Most People Carry It Alone
For those of us raising kids, managing a career, navigating relationships, or working through grief, life doesn’t slow down. And too often, people feel like they’re supposed to “handle it” on their own.
The result is stress, anxiety, trauma, and burnout that go unaddressed.
“We all have a lot going on,” Rene explains. “Sometimes you just need somebody to listen and let you sit and not be judged.”
AnewU Counseling Meets You Where You Are
AnewU Counseling is a private mental health practice serving clients from age four to 104. Rene and her team don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care.
“That’s what’s important about the work that we do. It is tailored to the needs of the client. We kind of cover all bases when it comes to therapy.”
With an eclectic team of therapists, AnewU offers support for:
- Trauma, anxiety, and depression
- Somatic and evidence-based approaches like EMDR and brainspotting
- Children, teens, adults, couples, and families
- Clients who want more than just talk therapy
Flexible, Accessible, and Built Around Real Life
AnewU understands that therapy has to fit into real schedules, including school pickup, sports practices, workdays, and everything in between.
That’s why appointment times vary by therapist, with options as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 7 p.m., plus some weekend availability.
“You owe yourself that hour,” Rene adds. “Everything is about you, just for that hour.”
Clients can choose in-person or virtual sessions, though Rene has seen a strong shift back toward face-to-face care.
“People want that relationship, that connection with their therapist—and we’re here to accommodate that.”
The Heart Behind the Mission
AnewU has been part of the Waxhaw community for three years and recently expanded into a new space. From participating in community events like Waxhaw’s Juneteenth celebration to building relationships with local families, AnewU is committed to being more than a business.
“We just want to be a part of the community and spread our wings.”
Rene’s path to counseling didn’t start in a therapy office—it started in corporate America.
After raising five children and completing her bachelor’s degree in 2014, Rene lost her father shortly before graduation. In the midst of grief, she felt a clear calling.
“I just heard this voice saying, ‘Be a therapist,’” she says.
That journey led her through grief counseling herself, and ultimately to founding AnewU Counseling in 2020.
“I realized this is what I want to do. I want to be that support for someone else.”
Today, AnewU spans multiple locations across two states, but its foundation remains deeply personal, as Rene shares, “Really, God. I pray a lot. If it feels good, I go for it.”
You can reach AnewU Counseling Services at 919-333-4465.
Last modified: December 23, 2025
