I am a licensed clinical psychologist. I am well-versed in treating a wide range of mental health concerns. However, my passion is working with individuals who have endured trauma.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Georgia with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients for many years of all ages with a realm of mental health issues and diagnoses. Some of the issues I focus on within my many years of practice are stress and anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, depression, and coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I am extremely open-minded regarding your own beliefs and background and what contributes to your belief that you are a wonderful human being. I will always be here to reinforce your strengths and overcome your fears, and I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you through the therapeutic process. Additional areas of focus: addictions, LGBT+, felationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating conditions, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), abandonment, aging and geriatric issues, antisocial personality, attachment issues, autism, avoidant personality, blended family issues, caregiver issues and stress, chronic pain, illness, and disability, co-morbidity, codependency, communication problems, control issues, dependent personality, disruptive mood dysregulation (DMDD), divorce and separation, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, emptiness, family problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, hoarding, hospice and end-of-life counseling, impulsivity, infidelity, intellectual diagnoses, isolation / loneliness, jealousy, life purpose, midlife crisis, veteran and armed forces issues, narcissism, obsessions, compulsions (OCD), panic conditions and panic attacks, personality diagnoses, phobias, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress, process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), self-harm, self-love, sexuality, social anxiety and phobia, trichotillomania, women's issues, and young adult issues.

I specialize in depression, relationship difficulties, career challenges, and anxiety. Twenty-five years of experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds have taught me that building upon my clients' strengths works. We don't just look at what's wrong; we also help you build on what you're doing right. It's possible to find solutions and experience change. I work with most insurance plans,. Please call for a phone consultation or email and move forward in your life.

At Heal and Thrive Counseling, we help our clients become empowered in their situation. Whether it may be a diagnosis, a trauma, loss of a loved one, or a sudden change in one's life, we help clients work through the uncomfortableness to become more empowered and satisfied in their lives and with themselves. My personal approach is authentic and genuine, combined with real-life experiences. Together, we will find what happiness looks like to you and work toward this goal. We only have ourselves to make the difference that we want. Choosing a counselor is a personal process. All counselors are different and are going to have their own ways of treating clients. My approach is human-centered, which means that my main focus is on you and on your needs. Once we have established the issues you are coping with, we will approach which type of therapy is best for you.

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.

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.

Feeling Stressed, Anxious, Overwhelmed, Depressed? Let us help you reclaim your life. We provide solution-focused therapy in a supportive environment to help move you beyond limiting barriers to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. We provide psychotherapy, psychological and psycho-educational testing and evaluations, and ADHD Coaching. Consistent with our goal of meeting your where you are we provide in person and online psychotherapy and coaching through a secure telehealth platform. Seeking help for emotional concerns can be a challenge, we try to make it as convenient as possible whether in our cozy office or from the comfort of your home. So call our office to speak with a live person about our services and to schedule an appointment.

I try to meet people where they are. Therapy can look very different person to person. We reevaluate your needs each session to see if we should modify our goals or process in order to better suite your mental health and overall needs. I try to be proactive and productive but also allow time for things to move at a natural pace. I have 7 years of experience working in a variety of settings and serving a diverse population of clients. I have additional training in trauma, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder issues. I also have a lot of experience with substance use including working at a detox unit and working regularly with clients to achieve their sobriety goals in an outpatient setting. I have spent much of my time practicing individual and couples therapy treating a wide range of issues and that is mostly what I do today.

Have you found yourself walking around with a protective armor, or putting on a mask as you navigate the struggles of daily life? When you have been taught to put your needs last, who is the one who cares for you? As your therapist, I will walk alongside you on your journey to a more authentic you. l take a humanistic approach and culturally competent lens to treatment in which we will process your unique lived experience (and perhaps generations before you) in a judgment-free space while empowering you to be more conscious of your strengths & better equipped to make changes in your life to help you fulfill your goals. I provide virtual individual & family therapy for all ages and specialize in trauma work. I am trained in multiple evidence-based interventions including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. With my training & your experience, we can partner on your journey to healing. Therapy is a place in which you can bring your whole self - your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture and the history that framed who you are today. My grandmother used to say, "Little by little, a bird makes its nest." With this first step to seek therapy, you are one step closer to a more authentic and fulfilling you.

Dr. Bright uses an Integrative approach to counseling. She incorporates mindfulness-based interventions focused on meditation and relaxation, as well as Humanistic, Psychodynamic and Narrative orientations. Her main values as a counselor include establishing and maintaining a strong rapport and authentic relationship with clients, helping clients create a holistic sense of self, and instilling power and improved self-worth through exploration of the diverse issues and identities that impact clients’ lives.

Are you struggling to rebuild trust after an affair? If you are the one who strayed, you may be feeling overwhelming shame and a great fear that there is nothing you can do to save your marriage. If you have been betrayed, you may feel that everything you thought was true about your life and your history together is gone. You both may be wondering if there is hope. Maybe you have been working very hard to rebuild but find the pain and fear too overwhelming. Are you deeply worried about these things? If so, I'd like to help. It is important to know you are not alone. Most people who have been betrayed feel rage, have nightmares and panic attacks, and find themselves spending hour upon hour trying to piece together what was happening and when. Most people who have strayed from their vows feel helplessness along with terrible guilt and work doggedly to earn back trust. Many people work hard trying to rebuild their marriage but find themselves bumping into dead end after dead end. There are reasons for this. I'm here to help you navigate the path forward. With affair recovery counseling, I can assist you and your spouse in turning things around. There are no easy answers, but you can learn and master the principles that can guide you toward healing and ultimately toward a life of meaning and happiness. In addition to private affair recovery couples counseling I also offer individual counseling and group counseling for infidelity.

I truly believe that life is comparable to a journey. As we learn new skills we increase our ability to maneuver around major obstacles, and if we are headed for disaster it is imperative that we change our direction. My therapeutic style is based on the principles of self-respect, personal responsibility, and honesty. However, my professional experience has taught me that effective therapy is a two way street. The therapist and the person in treatment must collaborate in order to get the most out of each session. It is true that making lasting positive changes requires great effort and commitment. Nevertheless, I will provide the tools, professional support, and advice you need as you make each step on your personal journey to health and happiness.