Above and Beyond Counseling Services was designed to incorporate God (Above) and clinical therapeutic techniques (Beyond) into counseling services. Our staff all have different clinical treatment modality training, but all have a core belief that without God our treatment is limited. We offer individual, marriage, and family counseling. We also serve children as young as 5 in our office. Most children come into our office with behavioral issues that the whole family needs support with. We offer classes to help families with parenting skills and therapists to help parents with the stress. Our hope is that when one family member comes into our office with the "symptom," the whole family considers treatment. Most mental health symptoms are a part of a system, not isolated to one person. We also offer several support groups because life is hard! It's our hope that when you come into a group here you'll feel comfortable and realize others are in the boat with you. Depression Support Group, Wounded by Infidelity, Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Positive Discipline Class, and Bible studies are here to support our community.

Your mind races with thoughts that begin with What if? Your anxiety gets in the way of your relationships, steals your joy, and limits your potential for happiness at home and at work. Worrying about things you cannot control has become a habit, which is hard to break because you believe that the worry prevents the thing from happening. You worry about your relationships, your family, your kids, and your work. Worry turns to guilt about not doing enough and not being enough. You long to quiet the inner critic, let go of the anxiety, feel like you are enough, and live a more fully engaged and balanced life. Through our collaborative efforts, you will learn the skills you need to conquer your worries and unwanted negative, anxious thoughts, communicate your needs effectively, and overcome feelings of guilt and self-doubt. We will work together to help you enjoy your life and relationships again, live fully in the present, and look forward to your future. As a licensed psychologist for over 15 years, I utilize research-supported interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Using a positive psychology approach, we will identify your strengths and uncover ones you may not even recognize. When nurtured and channeled in the best way, these strengths will help you cope with the past, conquer current fears, and overcome future obstacles on your path. My job is to give you the tools you need to be your own therapist. I am also trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is considered a best practice in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

My passion is helping couples and individuals understand their current story of shutdown or strife so healing can begin.  I started where you are. I was smart and competent in many ways, but I didn’t understand how my early relationships and experiences affected the choices I was making. I struggled the first few years of marriage and felt defeated. Almost three decades later, I find joy helping couples and individuals find a new way.  In sessions with couples, I use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) to track the steps in the relationship's negative cycle, a cycle of disconnect that you’ve unconsciously fallen into over time. We step away from blame and discover that the vulnerable feelings of rejection and abandonment are fueling the cyclical fights. We see that under surface tensions are attachment cries: Are you there? Do I matter?  In individual sessions, I use Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) to help you explore how your default responses might be getting in the way of the love and the life you want. These default responses are related to your attachment style. Instead of feeling defeated by your repeated "failings" or “mistakes,” you’ll see that you make sense in the context of your life’s experience.  Read more about my approach and schedule a free consultation with me here: https://newstorycounselingatl.com/services

Melissa is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with a Master of Science in professional counseling from Georgia State University. She is passionate about serving children, individuals, and families through counseling. She has a passion to see her clients thrive so that they are able to overcome challenges that are negatively affecting their lives. Melissa is committed to assisting in the process of growth to help clients break dysfunctional cycles. She approaches therapy with individuals, children, and families using creative methods. Since obtaining her degree, Melissa has received continuing education and specializes in providing play therapy services for children ages 4–12 and is trained in working with children who experience anxiety, anger, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social skills, among other issues. In addition, Melissa enjoys helping adult women who are facing challenges and difficulties such as depression, anxiety, and more, as well as adults with anxiety, and couples facing conflict. Melissa has served in various settings using her skills in the role of kindergarten teacher and church staff member.

As a mental health counselor, Johanna strives to help you achieve your goals and the life you desire and deserve. Johanna creates a comfortable, safe environment where you can collaborate with her to identify the root of a difficult issue, whether it be anxiety, a stressed relationship, or a stressful work environment. Johanna teaches coping techniques and strategies critical to treating your concerns, helping you uncover practical, effective methods that appeal to your strengths and preferences so you can move toward healing.    She views therapy as a way for individuals to discover blind spots. Johanna has been where you might be now—feeling like all hope is lost and things could never get better. A therapist changed Johanna's mind when he helped change her life; Johanna has been dedicated to the mental health field ever since.   Johanna knows that counseling can point the way toward self-improvement, enhanced coping skills, and holistic well-being and happiness. Though they wouldn’t have imagined it possible, clients who suffered from severe anxiety disorders have overcome their fears working with Johanna. She’s also helped clients overcome severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. Johanna's desire is to work with clients on their journey of self-improvement and life-changing  transformation. 

Whether you or a family member is struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, or relationship problems, you are here because you're looking for a change. Jason enjoys helping people move past the band-aid approach to a problem to really finding lasting change. Early on in his work with clients, he collaborates with them to find practical interventions that will bring relief. Then they explore the internal and external factors that can keep people stuck. The more understanding people have about themselves and their situation, the better they’ll know what to do about it. Jason provides a safe environment for clients to process their struggles. He wants to make sure he understands their life from their perspective. He encourages, challenges, and is present with his clients as they face their hard places.

I help marriages strengthen communication and become skilled at conflict resolution. I specialize in affair recovery, porn / sex addiction recovery, and women's issues. My therapeutic support group provides an opportunity for women to get support and heal from the sexual betrayal mentioned above (whether by the parents they were raised by or by a significant other / spouse). Being a certified sex therapist I help couples heal and grow through sexual intimacy challenges.

Do you feel like you or your child will never be the same again? Do you wonder if the trauma you have experienced is impacting your parenting? Many of my clients feel this way and are relieved to learn there is hope for healing. My name is Lauren, and I can help. Although I have advanced training in play therapy with children, I also work with teens and adults. I can help your child or teen with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I have a passion for working with parents to build parenting skills and increase healthy communication with their child/teen. I also assist adults with trauma and life transitions. I use EMDR with children, teens, and adults. I am a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). With children, I blend play therapy with EMDR. I am also certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) which is another path to healing from trauma. I treat anxiety with a combination of play therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques. I have advanced training, expertise, and experience in working with children and their families who have experienced sexual and/or physical abuse. If you or your child has experienced sexual abuse or any severe trauma, I would be honored to work with you toward healing. I would love to help you find hope as you navigate this difficult path.

Kelli has a Master of Arts in professional counseling from Richmont Graduate University and is a licensed professional counselor. She has specialized training in the treatment of trauma, specifically in evidenced-based practices such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and progressive counting method. Kelli specializes in working with individuals who have experienced abuse and other traumatic events. Her work with individuals who have a wide range of experiences has given her a unique perspective when providing counseling. Her desire is to help individuals find freedom from their past experiences and trauma. Specifically, her goal in counseling is to meet clients where they are, help them identify their innate strengths, and partner together to learn how the things they have been through in the past have influenced them. It is her desire to create a safe space where clients can learn that their past does not define them and that they get to write the ending to their own story. Kelli has experience working with individuals dealing with childhood trauma and abuse, domestic violence, grief, relationship issues, depression, and anxiety.

As a therapist, I provide a safe, supportive environment to listen while gently challenging troubling thoughts and addressing painful emotions to encourage growth and change. I’m passionate about meeting clients where they are, helping them unpack life's challenges, and bringing light to difficult situations. I work with couples, individuals, and families seeking healthier, stronger relationships. My approach centers on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which focuses on identifying and expressing core emotions that often drive behavior. By exploring these underlying emotions, I help clients improve communication, strengthen emotional bonds, and foster deeper connection. For couples, EFT can guide them in breaking negative patterns, building trust, and restoring intimacy. For individuals and families, it can facilitate healing, conflict resolution, and personal growth. When desired, I also integrate faith into the counseling process, offering a holistic approach to healing that aligns with my clients' beliefs. If you're feeling weighed down by life's challenges, I'm here to walk with you and help you find clarity and hope.