Expressive Arts Therapists in Alpharetta, GA

Is your child experiencing anxiety or depression? Are they having symptoms of worry and ruminating thoughts, irritable, sad, crying, heart racing, tight chest, fidgeting, challenges with friends, sweaty palms, low self-esteem, and having trouble falling asleep or not sleeping through the night? Do they have symptoms of Depression such as: behavioral problems, not eating, sadness, crying most days, isolation? Therapy can help! By providing a safe space, someone who truly listens, meeting them where they are, skills to identify feelings, growth mindset strategies to change thoughts, and mindfulness exercises.

Hi everyone, I'm Shannon! I am a Master's level dance/movement therapist and clinical mental health counseling Intern at CNSL. I was drawn to the helping profession as I believe each person has a unique perspective of the world and should be trusted with managing it. I use a blend of client-centered, somatic/humanistic approach, and the expressive arts to encourage a person's emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration with the aim of enhancing mental health and well-being. My goal is to assist children and adolescents in realizing their full potential in a non-traditional, therapeutic way!

Are you worried that your teen daughter is stressed or depressed? Are you frustrated with the lack of communication or defiant behavior? Are you concerned about your teen's difficulties in regu? Modern teen-hood for girls is a very difficult time in life, one that needs a specific set of coping skills. The rise in peer pressure, competitive conflicts, and unhealthy social media messages are all likely contributors to a national increase in anxiety, depression and low self-worth in girls. Counseling can help teen girls to improve decision-making, managing stress, and learning coping strategies to better set them up for future success

Welcome! My clients are often looking for relationally-based therapy that recognizes their strengths and takes a collaborative approach to working together. My youngest clients are often recovering from traumatic losses and in need of support as they learn new ways of regulating their emotions and dealing with anxiety in relationships at home and in school. Adult clients are often looking for help with various forms of trauma, anxiety, grief, chronic stress/burnout, depression, and ambiguous loss. I use foundational approaches of interpersonal neurobiology and attachment theory to tailor therapy to each client's unique needs.

I enjoy helping children, adolescents, and adults face their current challenges and find healthy solutions to their problems. I have experience working with a variety of clients and clinical challenges such as behavioral problems at home or school, social skills, self-esteem, life changes/transitions, anxiety/stress management, and more. I work with the family system, as well as the individual, to help clients achieve their goals. I strive to create a supportive and respectful atmosphere. It is my aspiration to help clients feel empowered and cared for during the counseling process.

Our mission is simple…to help our clients move from pain and suffering to hope, resilience and freedom. Pain is an inevitable part of the human existence. Throughout our life, we naturally experience loss, rejection, defeat, physical and emotional pain. For many, pain and trauma experiences in life can be overwhelming. While we can’t go through life without experiencing pain, we do have a choice about how we’ll respond to it. As Holocaust survivor, Victor Frankl stated, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

As a therapist, I am passionate about helping children and adolescents conquer challenging obstacles in their life. I have always wanted to be the bridge to help clients express their thoughts and feelings. I believe in creating a safe and nonjudgemental environment for clients to feel supported and respected for who they are. I specialize in working with mental needs connected to ADHD, anxiety, self- esteem, adjustment, school issues, anger/aggression and self harming.

Lauren most often works with elementary, middle, and high school kids and their families. She takes pride in being flexible and creative with her approach to meet the needs of various ages and personalities, and incorporates everything from expressive arts, to video games, to mindfulness scripts. For teen and adult clients she strives to help individuals identify the unhelpful beliefs they hold about themselves and learn to love themselves through self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and experiencing empathy in her office. Lauren loves working with clients and parents to help them navigate their lives with calm and confidence.

Have you been worried about your child but you cannot pinpoint what it is? Children may not always have the words to express what is going on in their world. As a therapist to children, I can help build self-esteem, increase their coping and emotional regulation skills, decrease anxious behaviors, & nurture their creativity. I can provide support in helping children build resilience and strengthen their relationships with others by facilitating communication through play and expressive arts therapy. I use art, music, play, and modeling to promote emotional growth and learning throughout our sessions together.

I am passionate about helping young individuals reach their full potential! It is an honor to support children, teens, and young adults in living a life with hope and happiness. I strive to create a safe space that is understanding, creative, and fun so individuals are empowered to grow through self-reflection, explore and build upon their strengths, and be their authentic self. I specialize in supporting mental health needs connected to autism, ADHD, anxiety, self-esteem, anger/aggression, adjustment and grief. I work from a neurodiversity affirming approach and prioritize keeping up with related research and training.

Therapy provides a safe space to explore your experiences, thoughts and actions. It is designed to equip you with techniques to better manage your thoughts and feelings as well as navigate new life changes. Individuals should have a space where they can open up about past history or current struggles they are facing. I am grateful to walk alongside my clients to help them navigate life’s ups and downs. I take pride in providing a judgment free space to allow clients the opportunity to unburden and grow. I believe that no matter the age, anyone can benefit from therapy.

As a therapist trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety disorders and depression.

Often, life's challenges get in the way of us reaching our fullest potential. If you are struggling to manage the highs and lows, you are not alone. I believe in the importance and healing powers of human relationships. My passion is helping individuals, couples, and families strengthen and preserve the bonds with the people who hold the most meaning in their lives. Through the process, my clients are given the space and support to reveal more authentic, embodied versions of themselves.

Are you feeling sad, down, depressed, anxious or even moody? Work with me to help you find inner peace and allow yourself to alleviate those difficult emotions. Our lives are stressful enough! Take care of yourself and come talk things out.

"Love and Trust, in the space between what's said and what's heard in our life, can make all the difference in the world." Fred Rogers. Sometimes life presents us with challenges, adjustments, and opportunities for growth, all we need is someone to hear what we are saying in a new way. I am here to help you navigate these moments, in the way you desire. Together we will work to ensure that you are truly listened to, in a way that elicits effective change, growth, and healing.

Effective therapy begins with an authentic relationship between client and therapist. When this is established, possibilities are virtually endless. I tailor my approach to your needs with whatever you are experiencing or what your goals are. We might identify and understand core causes of dysfunctional thinking and behavior keeping you stuck. We can reprocess deep traumas or anxieties. Ultimately, we can understand and remove barriers keeping you from who you want to be or the peace you desire.

I am now offering the choice between in person or online video counseling to help persons of all ages who feel anxious, overwhelmed, stressed or depressed. It's so important that you have a voice and your needs are met. What you want and need, first of all, is to be really heard and feel understood. I always begin by listening deeply. The journey of healing and change can be made a bit lighter when shared with a caring therapist. I provide supportive and interactive help to enable you, or your loved one, to overcome anxieties and fears. Together we can make your life and relationships better.

Welcome! My practice is open during early EVENING hours to accommodate after school schedules. I have been fortunate to have 19 years of counseling experience in both the school setting and the private sector, working with children ranging in ages 5-18, adults, and with families. While working with children and adolescents, I believe that the family dynamic is an extremely important part of the therapeutic process, and will often involve parents and siblings in therapy when it is helpful. I also work with parents who need support with parenting help in many different scenarios (toddlers to teens).

If you have ever wondered why you can’t seem to make sense of your own feelings, you are not alone. We all go through seasons of challenges and navigating life changes can be confusing and emotional. My mission is to help people overcome their struggles with stress, sex, and self-esteem to live full, abundant lives. I am passionate about helping my clients discover how to develop self-love, a sense of balance and clarity, and a healthy, sexually satisfying life.