Therapists in Decatur, GA

There are many reasons why you might be seeking therapy at this very moment. It could be because of a major life event- a death, a cancer diagnosis, the end of a relationship, or trauma. It could be because of a lot of small things that have accumulated over time. It could be preventative or restorative. Or it could be just because. You might be therapy-curious, or wonder if you even need therapy. Whatever has brought you to this point, I believe that the most important part of a therapeutic relationship is connection. Our first session is an opportunity to get to know each other and see whether we both feel like it’s the right fit.

Working through trauma requires tremendous courage. No one wants to find themselves having to focus on healing the past, but once you realize that’s what you need to move forward, there’s no looking back. Whether you are dealing with triggers, flashbacks, nightmares, relationship issues, anxiety, chronic health problems, or simply struggling to stop thinking about unpleasant events from the past, trauma can affect us all differently. I have the experience and training to support you as you shift the patterns you have developed in response to adversity.

Our real journey in this life is interior; it is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts. Thomas Merton wrote this a half-century ago, but it is still appropriate today. In our practice, we provide a safe, professional and holistic atmosphere, where people are supported in making profound changes and choices in their lives. I work collaboratively with both individuals and couples, using a plethora of techniques, including the Enneagram, dreams, myth, gestalt and EMDR.

With more than 40 years of experience, I believe that psychotherapy can provide a "safe container," a non-judgmental place, in which clients can confront their issues in complete confidentiality without fear of rejection. There is no blueprint for this process; together we create the path leading to each client's inner wisdom and healing.

Bringing about positive change in our lives is often much harder than we would like. During challenging times we need care and support from someone who will also challenge us to reach our goals. Growth is a key aspect of being human and as a therapist, it is my role to walk with my clients and support them as they travel down the path they have chosen.

I am passionate about helping people find meaning and purpose in their lives, and helping them identify ways that conscious and unconscious traits and habits impact functioning and relationships. By exploring how you relate to yourself and to the world around you, you can build a life that is informed by past experience, not trapped by it. As a trained meditation teacher I integrate mindfulness and other meditation techniques where appropriate. My trauma work is integrative. While I do not condone the use of controlled substances, I endorse harm reduction practices and enjoy working with psychedelic preparation and integration.

I am passionate about working with clients of all sexualities, sexual practices, and backgrounds surrounding intimacy, childhood trauma, sex/ sexuality concerns, and relational discord. I believe these concerns are a result of underlying factors caused by intergenerational family systems, societal shame, challenges with coping with mental health during stressful events, lack of true understanding/ connection with self, and lack of access to helpful resources for guidance.

Do you feel like you are on auto-pilot? Are you constantly disconnected from your body? My job is to hear you and witness your story. Know that you are not alone. Together we can support you in reconnecting to your body and feeling more safe in the world. We will embark on this journey together to get you from surviving to thriving.

You do not have to have lived through something literally life-threatening to be a trauma survivor. If you didn't get your basic or emotional needs consistently met during infancy and early childhood, you likely struggle in your adult relationships. You might be overly clingy, avoidant, or self-sabotaging with your friendships and romantic partners. Or maybe, for you, it shows up as anxiety, avoidance, dissociation, low self-worth, poor boundaries, and even self-destructive behaviors. This is called complex trauma or attachment-based trauma, and it can be healed!

My primary focus is to assist clients to identify and build upon their strengths and talents, leading to positive change in their lives; allowing them to reach their fullest potential - individually, in relationship, as part of a community and in their life's work. I have a deep respect for the dignity of the individual, with their unique cultural, religious/spiritual beliefs, and sexual orientation. In addition to in office sessions,I am currently using securely encrypted video conferencing, so am able to serve clients in all of Georgia.

I have 32 years of counseling experience. I blend Spiritual (when requested) and Clinical Counseling. Many spiritual people across America are confused about where to go for counseling. My husband of 30 years and I have traveled the world with many religions. I have 2 Bachelors, 2 Master of Divinity Degrees, a Post-Masters in Hospital & Hospice Chaplaincy, and a PsyD. in Psychology. I was a Chaplain intern, resident or taught religious programs at many Atlanta hospitals. I am a HIV/AIDS, cancer and bereavement specialist. I bring a multiplicity of clinical specialties and counseling modalities to my clients from 2 and up.

My aim is to help you ease your most difficult emotions while addressing the patterns that keep you feeling "stuck" or powerless in your life. With compassion and a non-pathologizing approach, I offer a effective framework for recovery and growth, so that you can enact change in your life that is consistent with your most authentic and purposeful self. I believe we are all capable of improving the quality our lives no matter how difficult and chronic problems have been. Seeing my clients evolve through self-acceptance and meaningful action is a true privilege and passion for me.

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I enjoy working with clients of all ages, backgrounds and challenges, such as trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, behavioral/school problems, ADHD, ODD, grief, attachment issues, and family conflict. I have over 10 years of experience and specialized training in working with children, adolescents and their families.

Psychotherapy is my second career. I come from a rich background in entrepreneurship and business management which makes me more focused on goal-setting that underpins my action-oriented approach. I work collaboratively with clients to define actionable goals and identify issues (conscious and unconscious) that act as barriers to long term psycho-emotional health. Philosophically, I embrace the idea that individuals often have the answers they seek to difficult questions. The real challenge may be finding the stillness to settle inner conflicts or competing thoughts (expectations, judgments, etc.) long enough to uncover personal truths.

Straight, gay, kinky, spiritual or skeptic, in therapy you may discover pleasantly surprising things about yourself. You may become more yourself, find new strength. You can transform social minority life experiences into a vision of personal identity. You can come to terms with the realities of anxiety, depression, stress, difficult relationships: Maybe life is exceptionally difficult now. Maybe you need space to re-discover forgotten goals . Sometimes it's good to have assistance. Therapy can help.

There are many things that may impact a person's ability to lead a full life, including challenges at work or school, relationship issues, depression and anxiety, and past traumas or losses. My goal as a therapist is to help clients move through their challenges and develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so they are able to live more satisfying and present lives. I do this by assisting clients in processing their feelings and identifying and connecting the things that have shaped them - including their relationships, thoughts, and attachment/trauma experiences - to their current issues.

I believe that good psychotherapy is rooted in a strong collaborative relationship. I began my career decades ago in community mental health, and I have worked in many different formats and settings with clients of all ages and dispositions. I have a good grasp of the relationship between immediate passions and long-term developmental needs, and I am flexibly responsive in helping clients to navigate apparent conflicts between them. I have many different skills to bring to bear to assist in examining these issues, and in making and implementing good decisions. These skills include humanistic, gestalt, and cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnosis.

25+ years experience helping clients successfully work on mental health issues, men's concerns, substance abuse, business and career development. Accept most insurance or affordable private pay. Individualized treatment goals to help you make progress. See all ages, couples, and families. Being happier and making progress on your goals is always possible. Having a therapist, like a coach, helps you better define your goals and develop a doable process to achieve and problem solve. Please see my website for psychology articles I have written that you may find useful. atlantapsychotherapyandcounseling.com