Professional Counseling Associates Inc. Welcomes You

Your Local Psychotherapist For More Than 20 Years

We offer confidential, personal counseling for the wide range of mental health issues.  In addition, we have the Quit Smoking Center of Myrtle Beach, where you can get the latest and most effective methods to help you quit smoking for good!  We also treat alcohol and other drug addictions as well.  Our counselors are state licensed and nationally certified as Master Addictions Counselors.

A Licensed Professional Here to Guide You

My Story

I’m Louis D. Murden, LISW-CP, MAC, a licensed Psychotherapist and Master Addictions Counselor (MAC).  I have been in local practice and affiliated with Strand Psychiatric Associates for more than 20 years.   I am a Certified Facilitator for the Duke QuitSmart smoking cessation program and also a certified Applied Laser Technician for the application of cold laser as a smoking cessation aid.   I am a veteran of the US Navy, a former public school teacher and administrator, and a former Director of Treatment Services for the Horry County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.  

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Addictions Therapy

Private, individual, and confidential.

Individuals from all walks of life can find themselves in very difficult times when alcohol and other drugs of abuse get out of hand.  Fortunately, recovery is not only possible, it is highly possible if one is willing to benefit from the knowledge that we now have readily available to us and if one is willing to do what it takes to use that knowledge for personal transformation.  We can show you how.  Louis Murden is a Master Addictions Counselor who has worked with hundreds of individuals over the years.  He is a former treatment director for a full service recovery facility and has been affiliated with a local leading addictions medical doctor for more than 20 years.

Quit Smoking Program

Expert, Proven Smoking Cessation Program.

We offer a true addictions recovery approach to this very very very hard-to-quit addiction.  Experts agree that nicotine addiction is the most difficult of all!  The typical public program consists of a couple hours meeting and the handing out of How To Quit material.  And then the individual is on her or his own!  Unfortunately, most of these types of approaches have a quit rate of less than 10%.  We use the principles of the Duke QuitSmart Program as our core approach, developed at Duke Medical Center more than 30 years ago and constantly refined over the years since to include the most proven methods based on follow up research of graduates.  The quit rate for QuitSmart is 70%, a big difference!  In our program, each individual will receive individual counseling from a Master Addictions Counselor and Certified Duke QuitSmart Facilitator.  This counseling will extend over a period of at least three months, more in some cases.  In addition, each client will receive Cool Laser Therapy, a unique complimentary treatment that involves the application of cool laser light to 47 accupuncture points that have been found to decrease craving and to assist a more comfortable recovery.   On going telephone contact and support is a central part of our comprehensive service.

Individual Therapy

A Happier, Healthier You

I offer individual therapy for the wide range of emotional needs.  With more than 20 years of local practice, I have worked with depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders, trauma including PTSD, psychotic disorders, insomnia,  behavioral management of chronic pain & chronic illness,  and so on.  I have been affiliated with a major local psychiatric medical practice for more than 20 years.    

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My approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Relationships Therapy, Mindfulness Training, Biofeedback Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, Guided Imagery Training and Mind/Body Approaches to Wellness.