Therapists in Smyrna, GA

Erika Sledge is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia who has 9 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples seeking help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, anger management, stress self-esteem, ADHD/ADD, Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders, and mood disorders. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgia Southern University and received her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University.

I enjoy working with older teens (18 and up), adults, and couples. Common issues: Life transitions, grief, self-esteem, divorce, depression, anxiety, relationship/marital/family conflicts, infertility, spirituality/finding life purpose, work/life balance, perfectionism, career, anxiety, and depression. My goal is to help clients discover & develop their own talents and strengths regardless of their past, promote self-awareness and authenticity, and collaboratively assist them in achieving their therapeutic goals. I believe that YOU are the expert on your life, I am just here to help you along the way.

I believe we all have an inner drive toward health and wholeness, but sometimes we get stuck, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed or confused in life. I help clients understand where their pain is coming from and offer coping skills and relationship methods for moving forward to a happier life. Through gentle yet honest talk therapy, I use a varied style which includes humor, CBT, experiential, and gestalt . I follow the pace of the client, and many feel significantly better within 8 -12 weeks.

My therapeutic approach incorporates components of experiential therapy, attachment theory, narrative therapy, & emotional focused therapy (EFT). I understand that everyone engages with therapy uniquely, which is why I offer a range of methods, including art therapy. These modalities tap into the power of creativity, providing you with alternative ways to process feelings and communicate your inner world. My skill set includes working with challenges such as life changes, depression, anxiety, setting healthy boundaries, navigating ADHD, OCD, relationship issues, bettering communication, issues within a family, & personal growth.

With a therapeutic relationship filled with nurturing and collaboration, along with a bit of humor and playfulness, we can explore dynamics, improve skills, and overcome barriers. Together, we identify and utilize strengths in the process of facing more challenging emotional and relational struggles. My clients, which include children, adolescents, and adults, frequently address issues such as anxieties, OCD, ADHD, trauma, negative self-worth, school/work-based challenges, perfectionism, emotional regulation, preparation/adjustment to divorce, parenting, bullying, and the overall desire to improve key relationships.

Are you and your partner experiencing issues in your relationship? Is there still a question in your mind about your sexual identity? Your concerns can never be too large or small to discuss. I am here to listen with a nonjudgmental ear. The concerns you have about your life are real, no matter your sexual identity, gender, or race. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, it is my privilege to assist Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual couples, families, and individuals with navigating their unique life journeys.

I specialize in an eclectic mix of cognitive behavioral therapy & insight-oriented therapy geared toward helping clients discover answers & take control of their lives. I specialize in women's issues but also treat youth with attachment, abuse, identity & oppositional behavior problems; adults with occupational & relationship stress & chronic medical problems; & older adults confronting life's changes. I enjoy helping couples function most optimally and provide evaluations related to ADHD, bariatric surgery & organ transplant hopefuls, parental fitness, psychosexual issues, vocational & career exploration, & general intellectual, academic & personality testing.

Thank you for taking a moment to visit my website. I am passionate about supporting my clients on their journey toward personal and professional growth. My primary objective as a clinician is to help them raise their awareness regarding thoughts and behaviors that impede their growth and then to join with them in creating clear pathways toward change. While nothing is more important to me than establishing a warm relationship within a nurturing environment where clients feel comfortable telling the truth and taking risks, I place equal importance on compassionately challenging them to take as much ownership as possible for the difficulties confronting them.

What does it mean to be a man, and more importantly how does that feel? Together we will unlearn the limiting beliefs that stem from our upbringing and societal narratives, and instead learn how to acknowledge, accept, and deal with the full spectrum of emotions we have. Do you feel you are not properly heard in your relationship by your partner? Do the same troubles keep coming up within your relationship? I assist couples dealing with conflicts within their relationship such as trust, communication, infidelity, and the effects of past traumas surfacing.

Are you tired of being the “strong friend”? The one that everyone knows they can depend on, and so rarely experiencing this in return. Are you struggling silently and maybe a bit confused about it all? Do you feel the need to constantly “do better” or “do more”? Even though deep down you know that you are doing so much already, yet for some reason, you continue to feel inadequate or out of place. Are you ready to heal a relationship? Do you feel that there may be a past trauma that is preventing you from your own healing? Are you navigating new life transitions? Are you ready to talk with someone about your depression or anxiety?

At some point in our lives, we’ve had to deal with the pain and difficulty of losing our voice. Not our physical voice, but losing the capability to speak up for ourselves. Have you ever experienced losing the ability to speak up for yourself or your needs due to the fear of possible rejection? Or the fear that nothing will change? Have you ever lost yourself in the process of attempting to speak up for yourself? Do you want to find your voice again? Admitting some of these things is not easy. However, the honesty and courage it took to seek guidance tells me you’re willing to take responsibility to seek emotional and mental change.

Are you having trouble coping with life transitions? If so, welcome to your first step towards healing. As one's life go through the "lifing" process, many individuals and couples find themselves feeling stuck, stressed, depressed, anxious, or just overwhelmed. I applaud you for taking the initiative to grow through such life challenges as I understand from my own experiences of trauma and tragedy how terrifying seeking help can be. Change is inevitable; therefore, I provide a compassionate, attentive, and empathic energy that is intended to alleviate the distress of finding, accepting, and maintaining the help that one needs.

Are you feeling stressed, angry, sad, anxious? Have you been tempted to give up on yourself, a job, or a relationship? My goal is to offer a safe space to increase self-awareness, move past guilt, establish healthy boundaries, work on self-care, improve your communication and/or coping skills. Maybe you need accountability or feedback while sorting through complex emotions and decisions. If so, allow me the opportunity to assist you on this journey we call life. Contact my automated scheduler for an appointment at 678-919-3670. Let's get you on your way to "Perissos" (abundance)!

“WE take an eclectic approach to providing therapeutic services. Our objective in therapy is "Facilitating Good Mental Health". We believe good mental health is a journey not a destination. Life can be challenging but it is our choices that increase the level of difficulty. Therapy provides the support and tools needed to navigate life's challenges. Achieving good mental health requires a collaborative relationship, which begins with building a trusting therapeutic environment. In practice, We utilize a variety of theoretical approaches such as Reality/Choice Theory, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Family Systems.”

I meet every individual where they are in their personal journey to improve their mental health. My goal is to help my clients meet their goals by focusing on developing a relationship and creating personalized treatment plans. There is not a one size fits all approach to mental health care. I look forward to meeting and learning about each and every individual I work with.

Janae Thompson is an Associate Professional Counselor with experience as a mental health provider in various clinical settings. She has worked with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Janae specializes in working with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, identity development, relationship issues, and life transitions. Her experiences as a 1st-generation Jamaican-American woman influence her to prioritize a multicultural counseling approach. Janae’s warm demeanor creates a safe space for her clients to feel comfortable.

Robyn Starks is a Resident in Counseling (RIC) who has more than 7 years of experience working with children, adults, individuals, and couples who are seeking help in coping with depression, anxiety, stress, grief, life transitions, communication, coping skills and parenting issues. Her passion includes learning alongside couples while helping them build and maintain fulfilling relationships through self-awareness and continued growth. Robyn completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and received his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Richmont Graduate University.

Amelia’s commitment is to help people regardless ethnicity, nationality, gender or socio-economic, and cultural background. Amelia believes that a collaborative therapeutic relationship will help to overcome the problems people have when they seek for professional counseling. Amelia’s ultimately goal is to empower the clients to best ensure their success.

Are you experiencing difficulties as a result of life challenges. Are you struggling with major life's decisions? Are you experiencing the loss of a loved one, spouse or partner? Does your child need help with behavioral modifications ? Do you need empowerment and spiritual healing from a broken relationship? Do you just need spiritual and emotional support in a open, safe and nonjudgmental environment?