Find a Therapist in Lithia Springs, GA

My name is Richard Soper and I'm a licensed clinical social worker. I've been in practice for 7 years helping patients with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, and coping with diabetes.

Welcome! I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Georgia. I am a client-centered therapist who works with clients who are dealing with life transitions, grief, and loss, and who may benefit from direction and help outside of their circle of family and friends.

Tara Sanders is an LPC (licensed professional counselor) and has been in the mental health field for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark Atlanta University and earned her Master of Science degree from Abilene Christian University. She has a wide range of career experience that allows her to adapt to the varied needs of her clients. Her diverse experience was derived from working in an all-male maximum-security prison, her position as a school counselor to provide counseling services to children in need of temporary, situational, and/or ongoing emotional challenges, her years acting as a mobile crisis assessor, and her role as supervisor for a state-wide crisis hotline. Additionally, she worked as a Military Family Life Counselor for 10 years overseas in Europe (Germany and Italy) and stateside. Tara believes that individuals who are entering counseling should feel comfortable and safe, which is why she uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an approach that highlights channeling negative thoughts into positive ones. She believes that stressors in one’s life can feel unmanageable, but she helps her clients to maximize their resiliency and come to view the challenge as a bump in the road -a bump that can be moved past into a successful, healthier path. Her goal is for all her patients to become open to gaining new perspectives and be willing to explore family dynamics and upbringings that have developed them into the people they are today. Tara works with her clients to assist them with changing any self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. She truly believes that caring for yourself and your relationships are the most important tasks that you will ever have.

Hi! I am Dr. Malissa Collins, a licensed professional counselor(LPC) in Georgia specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. My approach is warm and compassionate. My focus is to meet clients where they are and teach them ways to successfully navigate through life to meet goals. I have experience working with individuals from various backgrounds, families, and couples. My Ph.D. is in Marriage and Family Therapy. My clients appreciate my warmth, nonjudgmental style. It helps to make them feel relaxed and confident. I knew in high school that I wanted a career in the psychology industry because my friends told me I had a natural “knack” for listening and helping. They would say, “You’re easy to talk to”…my drive comes from living my purpose. I find value in helping others reach happiness. Because I primarily use CBT strategies to help clients reach therapy goals, the focus begins with cognitive restructuring…awareness of potential faulty core beliefs about self and the world. My first sessions include getting to know you as a partner in this therapeutic relationship. This means I will ask questions to learn as much about you as possible. The goal is to build trust in each other.

Life can be hard. Sometimes we have difficulty communicating with our partner, boss, children, or our parents. Sometimes we have difficulty adjusting to a new environment or new life circumstances. At times, we may feel stuck and unsure of how to make changes in our lives. Other times we may want to delve deeper and truly understand our motivations and desires. Sometimes we just need to feel heard and understood. Having an unbiased, non judgmental person to talk to can help. I firmly believe that the key components to a successful therapeutic experience are the individual’s commitment to the process and a trusted relationship with the therapist so my primary goal is to create a non judgmental and space safe where my clients can feel comfortable sharing. I actively engage in conversation with my clients, strive to meet them where they are and truly understand their concerns and desires. I work collaboratively with them to explore different perspectives and bridge the gap between their current state of being and living their most fulfilled lives. I truly believe that self exploration and motivation can lead to growth and positive change. I enjoy working with individuals, couples and families on a wide range of topics including but not limited to: anxiety and stress management, depression, self esteem, personal growth, healthy communication, navigating difficult life changes, differentiation and identity development, vocational decision making, finding worklife balance, relationship, marriage & family related issues, parenting, and maternal mental health. I am especially passionate about working with women and couples on perinatal and postpartum challenges and infertility struggles. I am not wed to any one particular theoretical orientation, but rather draw upon various frameworks. My approach is client centered- non judgmental and empathetic, collaborative, integrative, and family systems oriented. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia and hold a License in Mental Health Counseling in New York as well. I obtained my undergraduate degree from Emory University, a Masters in Counseling from New York University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Columbia University. I have 20 years of counseling experience and have done extensive post graduate training in Marriage and Family Therapy at The Ackerman Institute for the Family, The Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy and The Link Counseling Center where I completed a 3 year residency. I have also completed Postpartum Support International's Advanced Certification Training in Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” The same can be said of therapy. It is a process and it can be difficult, but also beautiful and transformative. I would be honored to join you on your journey.

Welcome, as it takes courage for us to ask for help from others and seek therapy. I am here to tell you that it is okay to ask for help and seeking a professional therapist is the first step in your journey. Life is hard at times, with a multitude of life transitions, from graduating from high school to finishing college, starting a new job, or having feelings of being stuck either personally andor professionally. Life is not an easy road to travel, but as we travel through different life challenges, sometimes we need help from others and it’s okay to seek help. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who is very passionate about the mental health field and each client I have had the pleasure of working with. I am very respectful of everyone’s journey and believe respect, compassion, and sensitivity are very important in building and maintaining a healthy therapeutic relationship. I have experience working with clients who have struggled with anxiety, depression, stress and major life transitions, PTSD, trauma, relationship issues, ADHD symptoms, mood disorders, parent-child relationship issues, behavioral problems, parenting techniques, and griefloss. My therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, TF-CBT, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. I utilize different therapeutic techniques to assist my clients, which ensures each client has a personalized treatment plan. When working with my clients, I like to build a strong therapeutic rapport to gather a clear understanding of the client’s needs, goals they want to work on andor issues they want to address in therapy, barriers to progression in therapy, and objectives to reach their therapeutic goals. My philosophy in working with each client is that I am here to help you. I hope to work with you, helping you understand where you are in the process of change, motivating you to move towards the next stage, assisting you throughout the therapeutic process, and we move at your pace. The client’s progression in the therapeutic process is to understand and acknowledge that, to a large degree, a successful treatment outcome depends on the amount of energy and effort the client makes. I will always have an open and honest line of communication with clients and be empathetic and very respectful. I look forward to working with you!

I have been in the mental health field since getting my BS in Psychology at UNC Asheville in 1996. Since that time, my experience working with clients who have a large variety of mental health issues ranging from severe to mild has taught me the importance of listening and compassion in helping others achieve their goals. When I saw how important a good therapist is to this process I sought a Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling degree and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2017. I approach therapy with my clients from an Adlerian perspective. I believe that not only do past experiences shape personality and how one chooses to approach life's problems, but they also influence how one behaves, feels, and thinks in daily life. Together with my clients, we explore how past experiences and current circumstances contribute to their difficulties and strengths as well as devise strategies and change perspectives so that they can be healthier and more effective in their life. I do this by applying techniques mainly from Psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, IFS, and Person-Centered approaches as well as others. I tailor my approach to each individual client and their needs in therapy. I often use metaphors and word pictures to help clarify concepts, teach skills, and change perspectives on difficulties. I will use humor and other creative interventions as needed to help clients ease into the process of therapy. Clients who benefit most from my approach are ready for change, recognize that what they have been doing has not been working, and are looking for help to not only understand themselves better but also to work together as a team to make the changes needed to improve and grow.I strive to create a comfortable, safe, and supportive atmosphere filled with compassion and genuineness. Starting therapy is a hard decision, and my goal is to work with clients to build a trusting relationship where they are comfortable talking about what brought them to therapy in the first place. I have specialized training in dealing with trauma, specifically childhood trauma, as well as specific training in DBT and CBT techniques. I work collaboratively with clients to empower them to make meaningful changes to build relationships, find peace, and discover meaning. I will teach them new skills and help them explore abilities they already have to improve their lives and reduce symptoms. In the first session, I work with clients to identify the current problems they are having and explore the areas of concern that bring them into therapy. I strive to keep this session informative about the treatment process without unpacking all the details of the emotions so that clients can feel comfortable rather than exposed by the end of the first session. This sets to tone for trust and a slow exploration of problems that is most effective in building healthy mental health.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am passionate about helping individuals thrive and I believe that everyone is capable of doing amazing things when given the right opportunities and environment to succeed. I have found joy in helping individuals become healthier versions of themselves. I have worked within specialized high acuity programs and within traditional outpatient settings, so no matter the setting or the level of care needed, I can be adaptable and dynamic enough to handle challenges with great empathy and understanding. I am an adolescent and adult therapist. I believe in looking at an individual's whole health - their mind, body, and spirit, as they are interconnected, in order to create balance. I utilize a strengths-based approach to empower individuals while helping them to build their hope and resiliency. I have a lot of experience working with individuals struggling with mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, etc., individuals who have experienced trauma, and individuals struggling with navigating relationships or life transitions. My top modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. I also incorporate trauma-focused treatment and mindfulness. I believe the therapeutic relationship is very important and a key aspect of a client’s success. To choose to commit to therapy is a decision that takes great strength, courage, and vulnerability but it is also so very rewarding. The ideal client is one who is willing to commit to this journey of whole health and healing by doing the work needed. As your therapist, I am willing to commit to helping you along this journal and to work just as hard for you as you are willing to work for yourself. My communication style is very open and empathetic. A significant part of building a therapeutic relationship is my ability to listen to clients and make them feel heard and understood. I am engaging, positive, warm, friendly, and attuned with my clients. I utilize reflective listening skills to ensure we are able to connect and to ensure I get to know clients personally. I believe the details matter and that it is a privilege to hear someone’s story. I come from a close family unit, and I am the oldest of two children, so I have always been accustomed to caring for others. Before even attending university, I knew I wanted to build a career focused on helping others. Along the way, I found social work and I have not looked back since. I have earned both my bachelor's and master’s degree in Clinical Social Work which allowed me to not only focus on my clinical skills but also it allowed me the opportunity to gain more understanding of people, and the differences amongst us that make us all unique, how the systems in which we were raised within affect us and how to identify the strengths within each of us. I have worked with various populations and within all levels of care and my background has truly given me the ability to empathize and understand people in a unique way and has continually ignited my passion for helping others. I believe in meeting clients where they are in life and helping to guide them to where they need to be. This journey is about progress, not perfection and everyone is capable of change if they are willing to change. My goal is that each client is able to learn ways to better navigate challenges, cope with stressors, and become a healthier version of themselves over time. During our first session, we will begin getting to know each other. I will ask several questions to gain insight into your background, challenges, and goals for treatment over time to ensure that we are both working towards the same goals. This is also your opportunity to get to know me and ask any questions to aid with building our therapeutic relationship.

My name is Denise Hill. I’ve been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker since 2009 and nationally certified as a Master Addiction Counselor since 2016. My passion is providing therapy services to clients to help them reach their goals and improve their lives. I use a variety of modalities including interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavior therapy. My clients may struggle with anxiety, depression, managing stress, or working through stage-of-life difficulties. They may have identified that alcohol or drugs are having more influence in their life than they’d prefer or are resulting in negative consequences. My first career was in the field of cancer data programs; I worked with physicians, data, and department heads. As much as I enjoyed this career, there came a point when I wanted to work directly with patientsclients. I went back to school and here I am! Goal setting is collaborative between the client and therapist and is ongoing throughout the therapeutic relationship. My first goal is to assist clients in identifying the concerns that brought them to therapy and help them outline what they hope to achieve. Another is to begin the process of creating a trusting rapport which facilitates successful therapy.

My name is Daryl Gessner and I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) located in Cartersville, George. I work with clients face-to-face and throughout the state via telehealth. Many of my clients consist of adults, adolescents, and children, and I specialize in anxiety, depression, and anger management with individuals. Additionally, I also work extensively with couples counseling involving communication, infidelity, porn and other addictions, and relationship issues. I assist families with issues such as blended families, adoption, parenting, and relationship issues with young adults. In addition, I conduct testing for attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) and autism.

My name is Christina Baffuto and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor working with clients based in Georgia via Telehealth. I primarily work with individuals ages 25-45 but also have years of experience working with children and adolescents. I specialize in anxiety, depression, and processing life changes, and grief. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused therapy to help my clients feel more in control and help them feel better throughout all the seasons of life. I tend to primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but this varies depending on my client's needs. I also use Dialectical Behavioral therapy as needed. I find that these modalities help my clients build skills to help them in their daily lives and feel prepared for taking on life's challenges as we navigate through the therapy process.

Greetings, my name's Bertrona Freeman and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I focus on utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specializing in the areas of substance use, addictions, anxiety, and stress. I utilize a cognitive-behavioral approach to encourage clients to focus on changing their perception of life experiences in order to improve behavior response. Motivational Interviewing strategies are utilized to elicit change talk about the client's current situation and develop a person-centered plan to improve the client's quality of life.