Narrative Therapist

Brian Rinker

I work with teens and adults in the messy middle of life transitions, when everything feels overwhelming and uncertain. Many arrive stressed or anxious, carrying anger, sadness, or an inner critic that convinces them they’re not enough or that life is hopeless. Together, we honor your lived experiences and dig beyond the surface so you can move with more freedom and purpose.

About Me

I’m a narrative therapist licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. I believe you are more than problems or diagnoses. Therapy with me honors your knowledge, complexity, struggles, triumphs, disappointments, and ambitions.My motto, Keep Therapy Weird, reflects my commitment to making therapy a space that celebrates quirks, edges, independent thinking, troublemaking, and all the things that make someone unique.In my work in crisis counseling and managing a local hotline and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, I learn to listen and to not dismiss a person's pain or anger. A calm and empathetic presence can open space for someone to see possibilities they couldn’t before.Before becoming a therapist, I was a journalist in San Francisco. I bring that same curiosity, investigative mindset, and passion for listening into my therapy work—helping people uncover and tell the stories that matter most to them. My instinct to question authority and challenge dominant narratives keeps my practice vibrant and committed to honoring each person’s lived experiences.

My Approach

We’ll explore the stories shaping your life—the ones holding you back and the ones helping you thrive. With curiosity and respect, I help you find hope and agency to live on your own terms, in alignment with the integrity you’ve defined for yourself.Therapy with me isn’t cookie-cutter. We might laugh or cry, but whatever it is, we’ll experience it together in the moment. We’ll work toward you feeling more free, more powerful, and more in charge of your life. My clients describe me as attentive, compassionate, kind, safe, real, fun, uplifting, intense, rebellious, and a bit of a troublemaker when it helps shake things loose. I’m an ally to queer and transgender people and people of all races.

Who I Work With

I see teens and adults navigating major life transitions. My clients are often starting over in a new place, ending a relationship, questioning their identity, or carving a new path. They’re at a jumping-off point—unable to keep going the way they have been, yet unsure how to move forward. Many feel overwhelmed, out of place, restless in their own skin, convinced they’re failing at being the person they’re “supposed” to be, or like they don’t belong at all.

Where I Work

I’m a therapist at Marguerita Blaker and Associates, a group practice in Charlotte on the border of Matthews. We welcome clients from all backgrounds and identities, including transgender and gender-diverse individuals, as well as those whose voices or experiences have been dismissed or devalued. Our passion is helping children, families, and adults facing emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges find hope, healing, and a stronger sense of self.We accept Medicaid and some commercial insurances.

Let's Work Together

Starting therapy isn’t easy, and I respect the courage it takes. I can’t promise it’ll always be comfortable, but it can be meaningful, challenging, and even fun.If I sound like a good fit, reach out for a free consultation. It only takes a few minutes. I offer daytime and evening sessions during the week, both in person and online.