“Children don’t say, ‘I had a hard day, can we talk?’ They say, ‘will you come play with me?’” Working with children requires knowing how children feel seen and heard. Play therapy offers therapists the chance to explore thoughts and feelings a child may be having in a non-threatening and age-appropriate way. Catherine has years of experience in providing play therapy, along with CBT and mindfulness, to children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. She understands the importance of managing family systems and, therefore, aims to include parents so that skills practiced in treatment can be reinforced in the home. Common areas of concern include anxiety, depression, trauma, social skills building, behavioral concerns, and parent coaching. Catherine received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. Following graduation, she lived in Boston teaching math to high school ELL students. While she enjoyed teaching, Catherine enjoyed spending time with students one on one and working with them from a therapeutic lens. Catherine then moved to New York and attended Columbia University School of Social Work where she received her MSW. Catherine went on to join the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice as a clinician offering therapy for both those affected by substance abuse and those in recovery. She focused her work on providing therapy to children and teens, implementing a wide range of interventions, including play therapy, mindfulness, TF-CBT, and motivational interviewing. After growing up in the northeast, Catherine is excited to settle and put roots down in Georgia. A mother to two young kids, Catherine tries to make the most of her free time, which includes watching new movies, puzzling, reading, and dreaming of places she’ll travel one day. Catherine is under the directed experience and clinical supervision of Nathan Butzen, Psy.D.

Kayla is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia. She earned a Master of Education in professional counseling from the University of Georgia and has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Berry College. Kayla believes that everyone deserves love, and when love is shown, it creates an environment of acceptance and authenticity.  This is how people can be truly honest and implement change that is long-lasting.  Kayla approaches every person's circumstances  uniquely in order to provide the best care for her clients.  She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families.  Kayla is experienced in helping clients who are suffering with depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance abuse, anxiety, identity, grief and loss, and self-worth. Kayla was inspired to pursue her counseling career because she understands that though everyone has difficulties in life, it is easier to walk through those difficulties with someone by your side. Kayla is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia.  She earned a Master of Education in professional counseling from the University of Georgia and has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Berry College. When she is out of the office, Kayla enjoys time in the great outdoors with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.  She also enjoys baking and hosting friends for meals and porch hangs.  

Nichole Walker is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor and National Board-Certified Counselor who has worked for 12 years with children, teens, and adults. She earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of South Carolina, a master of education degree in guidance counseling from Cambridge College, and a post-graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy from Argosy University. Nichole is well-versed in working with a diverse socioeconomic population and with people from different backgrounds. Her work with clients is guided by these core principles: simplify, believe, grow! As a virtual therapist who delivers healing and wellness, Nichole partners with clients so they leave their sessions feeling empowered, confident in their abilities to face life's challenges, and able to facilitate overall balance and healing from within. In essence, clients learn to live their best lives. Virtual counseling sessions are customized in a safe space for teens and adults seeking support with anxiety, stress management, setting boundaries, and establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Nichole welcomes the opportunity to begin your journey toward growth and healing—and a better you! Schedule your free consultation at simplifylife.clientsecure.me/.

Brent is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist in Cumming GA. Since 2010, he’s been helping couples, children, teens, and individual adults improve their relationships, navigate change, and learn new ways of coping with the challenges of life. Brent works with a wide range of client populations, but a common thread through all sessions is a deep passion for enhancing relationships and communication. No matter whether a client is 3 years old or 83 years old, being able to sustain healthy relationships and communicate about needs and wants is central for happiness, success, and well-being in life. This applies in relationships with others, but also in the relationship people have with themselves. Though he considers his formal training in the mental health field to be valuable, it is his experience as a client in therapy that has best prepared him to be of help to others. Brent has experienced tremendous growth and healing through the therapy process, and it motivated him to make a midlife career change to become a therapist. Brent has been happily married since 2010 and has two children.

Emily earned her Masters of Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary in Counseling in Dallas, Texas and her PhD in Christian Counseling from International University. These programs provided a theological and psychological integration model as many people’s understanding of God/higher power impacts how they makes sense of challenges and learn to cope during times of difficulty. She uses her past personal and professional experience to help female clients struggling with anxiety disorders.

Dr. Penny Hays is a licensed psychologist who specializes in school-related problems with children. She conducts psychoeducational evaluations to diagnose learning disabilities including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and attention deficit disorders.

Erica approaches working with each client, whether an individual, couple, or family, through the lens of Family Systems. This allows her to view each person and problem in the context of their relationships and the world around them. She enjoys bringing an eclectic and holistic approach to sessions, gravitating to the Psychodynamic and Experiential theories through an attachment and trauma-informed/trained lens. This might look like exploring past relationships and experiences, connecting relational and behavioral patterns, learning to hold space for yourself and your individual truths, and finding ways to work through these themes in order to have a more peaceful future. Erica enjoys a collaborative relationship with her clients and hopes to encourage each person to find their own voice.

Connie is the Founder and Director of New Hope Counseling Center. She has been practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia since 2004. Connie and her husband, Danny, have been married for 38 years. She has a passion for helping couples, individuals, and families renew their strength and commitment to each other and live life more abundantly. She has treated survivors of trauma (childhood trauma, adult emotional and physical abuse, and PTSD). Connie believes that men and women are created in the image of God, that there is a need for an intimate connection with Him, and oftentimes deep emotional pain causes a disconnect from Him and others. Connie's desire is to help people find hope and healing through the therapy process. She believes therapy is a way to facilitate change, but ultimately the change comes from within—from the client. Her commitment is to meet clients where they are and to motivate them and help them achieve their ultimate life goals.

A licensed psychologist, Dr. Aycock received both her Ph.D. in counseling psychology and her M.S. in professional counseling from Georgia State University. Her approach is integrative, drawing from Adlerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Interpersonal Therapy to meet the needs of a diverse clientele. When faced with difficult situations, we often feel discouraged. Dr. Aycock believes that a safe, supportive environment is key to growth, and she offers plenty of encouragement. She helps clients gain perspective through empathic exploration. We’re all doing the best we can in life, but sometimes we get in our own way. As much as she feels comfortable with deep emotions, she also believes in the importance of bringing laughter and humor into the room!

Robert is a licensed associate professional counselor at Paraclete Counseling Center in Suwanee, Georgia. He received an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University and a BS in psychology from Georgia College and State University. He enjoys helping adolescents and adults gain insight into how to better manage their life stressors in the areas of anxiety, depression, work, relationships, and spiritual direction.  He also enjoys working with premarital and married couples in building better communication skills, stronger relationship bonds, and shared-life meaning. He has had training in dialectical behavior therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. These areas of training have helped Robert learn how to help clients build better habits of self-care and mental health so they can be more available to serve and love others that God has placed in their community.  As a result of benefiting from personal counseling, Robert’s heart is especially called to help men experience freedom and healing. As a man, he understands how difficult it can be for men to open up about insecurities and to let their guards down, but he also knows the power of forgiveness and healing waiting for these men who are willing to step out in faith to be made more complete in the image of God. To further support clients, Paraclete Counseling Center offers to file out-of-network insurance.