I am pleased that you have selected this site for counseling services. I am providing you with this section of information to explain a few important aspects of how I work with children, women, and families.
***NOTE: I am currently not accepting new in-office clients and I have a waitlist for virtual sessions***
Training
I received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky and a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology with a minor in Christian Counseling, both from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
I am fully licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia #LPC010754. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) #57819228.
I am trained as an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist.
I am trained as an Adlerian Play Therapist and a Registered Play Therapist.
Play is a child’s first language!
Why I am an Adlerian Play Therapist . . . Dr. Terry Kottman, founder and developer of Adlerian Play Therapy.
Association for Play Therapy – History Speaks Kottman Interview
Dr. Schaefer and Dr. O’Connor – founders of the Association for Play Therapy
Association for Play Therapy – History Speaks Schaefer Interview
Association for Play Therapy – History Speaks O’Connor Interview
I am trained as a Gottman Level I marriage therapist.
Making Marriage Work – Dr. John Gottman
It is my belief that spirituality and/or religion are important elements of many people’s lives. I believe that religion and/or spirituality can have a significant effect on the types of problems for which many people seek counseling. These effects might be positive (e.g., religious beliefs helping someone to cope with their concerns) or negative (e.g., disconnection from a religious community that makes other problems more severe). As a result, I seek to include a client’s spiritual or religious commitments in the counseling process whenever appropriate. I will be capable of integrating specific spiritual or religious practices with typical empirically researched counseling strategies and may ask if you would like to integrate specific spiritual or religious practices into your treatment. These include, but are not limited to, praying with or for you, teaching and guiding you in meditation, assigning readings from scripture or sacred writings, encouraging you to practice specific religious or spiritual rituals, and helping you to access the resources of your spiritual or religious community. In all cases, the counselor will strive to provide you with interventions that are congruent with your spiritual or religious perspective and that fit within your faith tradition. You are free to decline these interventions at any time and request that your counselor refrains from including certain interventions.
If you are experiencing an emergency:
Dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Call:
Cobb County Sheriff (770) 499-4600 for transfer to hospital
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
Georgia Crisis & Access Line: (800) 715-4225 includes mobile crisis response services
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
Ridgeview Institute: (844) 350-8800
Peachford Hospital: (770) 455-3200
