As humans, our natural inclination is to move away from pain. But at a certain point, we may find that the strategies which once protected us are actually causing us even more pain. Through therapy, you can find ways to break old cycles that are keeping you stuck so you can move into the wholeness you desire. Emma obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and completed her master’s degree at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta. After graduation, Emma spent over a year as the lead therapist in an intensive treatment day program with a focus on complex trauma and its co-occurring disorders. Her experience there gave her a deep understanding of the ways in which childhood wounds re-emerge in adolescence and adulthood, enabling her to help clients examine their pasts without dwelling on them too deeply. Emma believes that there is healing in connection, whether it is through shared laughter or shared pain. She values being authentic with her clients in order that they may feel the freedom to do the same with her. She is honest, compassionate, direct, and willing to go to whatever depths her clients feel ready for.

Rachel has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2008. She earned a master’s degree in professional counseling from Georgia State University in 2005. For the last 21 years, she worked with North Point Ministries and was a Director in the Care Network. Rachel now works with men, women, and couples navigating difficult seasons, including divorce or separation, adjusting to a stepfamily, co-parenting, or life transitions. She also focuses on premarital counseling; time management; and issues with anxiety, boundaries, codependency, self-worth; forgiveness, and grief.   Rachel has two children in middle school and lives in Forsyth County. After 13 years of marriage, Rachel journeyed through a difficult divorce. In the midst of devastating brokenness, Rachel's faith in God strengthened as she trusted in his grace and promises. Rachel is now happily remarried.

Dr. Rivers is a Georgia Licensed Psychologist in private practice with over 30 years of experience providing individual and group therapy, as well as workshops to numerous organizations. Her practice specialties are stress management, trauma and abuse, relationships (focusing on single women), and multicultural and racial identity issues. Additionally, one of the unique factors that she brings to her work is an ability to assist clients whose religious faith is instrumental in many of their life choices. She has found that combining evidenced based treatment along with the knowledge that comes from spiritual and religious faith is an approach that works for many of her clients. Dr. Rivers started her career in University Counseling Centers, and she served as the Director of the Counseling Center at Kennesaw State University before leaving in 2009 to pursue her dream of owning her own business and working in private practice. She started her business, Healing Hearts Psychology Consultants, Inc in 2008 and currently practices in Atlanta. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, her M.S. degree in Counseling from Georgia State University, and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Georgia. In addition to her counseling work, she has served in leadership positions in several professional organizations including President of the Georgia College Counseling Association, Board member of the Georgia Psychological Association, and the Professional Development Chair of the American College Counseling Association.

Wendy’s journey to becoming a therapist began as a desire to help others through encouragement when she was very young. As an educator, mother, and minister's wife, she has been learning how to create and sustain a spiritually and emotionally healthy life, marriage, and family for more than 28 years. Her family spent more than 12 years living in a cross-cultural environment. Wendy knows what it feels like to be an outsider and misunderstood, facing circumstances beyond her control. Her compassion for others has grown as she has faced trials that have taught her to let go of fear and judgment. She strives to live daily in a spirit of grace toward herself and others, remembering the grace that she has been given throughout her lifetime. Wendy earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Valdosta State University in 1993. After returning from three separate tours as a cross-cultural worker in Central Asia, she attended Richmont Graduate University, earning a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and a certificate in marriage and family therapy. She worked with children, adolescents, and families under board-certified art therapist Teresa Woodruff's direction at Art It Out Therapy in East Cobb. There she learned to incorporate creative expression into various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and person-centered and group therapy. Wendy also worked with individual adults and couples at Hope Counseling Center in Marietta. To further her work with couples and families and gain a better understanding of the role of attachment in relationships, she studied emotionally focused therapy (EFT) under James Hawk, PhD., LPC. Wendy is in the certification process for EFT. Wendy receives strength and encouragement from her faith in Christ and believes it informs every area of her life. As a follower of Christ, she is compelled to love others as she has been loved. To Wendy, that includes respecting the personal beliefs of others, even if they differ from her own. She hopes that every person she is with experiences compassion and a nonjudgmental spirit from her. If incorporating your personal faith into therapy is something you want, Wendy will gladly do so. However, she will not force her beliefs on you. Wendy welcomes clients from any faith or with no faith background at all. Wendy loves working with school-aged children, adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families. She believes that play is the primary language of children and incorporates creative expression, play therapy, and games into her work with them. She also uses media and art therapy with adolescents—and adults! Wendy believes everyone can benefit from creative expression. She has a passion for working with couples and families and has chosen EFT as her primary therapy model. According to authors Candice C. Beasley and Richard Ager (2019), EFT is one of the most effective, researched-based, relational therapies for couples. Having experienced EFT as both a client and therapist, Wendy can vouch for its effectiveness. At Family Renewal Counseling in Woodstock, she is now under the direction and supervision of Christie Poole, MS, LMFT, and board-certified supervisor Erin Holcomb, MS, LPC.

JoJo specializes in working with women who are experiencing challenges related to life transitions, grief, divorce, and parenting issues, particularly those that involve parenting a child with special needs. She is particularly sensitive to the needs of parents who are dealing with the grief and adjustment of struggling to incorporate the special needs of their child with the larger needs of the family. JoJo is also a Prepare-Enrich Facilitator. In her current practice, JoJo desires to walk with women who are discovering, or rediscovering, their true self as they navigate grief, loss, and life transitions.

Dr. Goodman specializes in helping clients create a solid foundation and solid relationships in order to live their best life.

Jenny has been practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2007. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in professional counseling from Richmont Graduate University. She is a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. Prior to establishing a private practice, Jenny worked with women at a residential drug and alcohol treatment center, where she served as the lead counselor for women with eating disorders. This population gave her much experience working with a variety of underlying mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and abuse. In her private practice, Jenny loves helping women, ages 18 and older, find hope, health, and healing. She is extensively trained in the integration of psychology and Christianity. Christian counseling tools are available for integration at the client's request. Jenny is married and has three young children.

Emmy strives to create a therapy environment where her clients feel heard and understood and are supported in the development of authenticity. She works with individual teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, and life transitions. Emmy uses person-centered therapy as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her work with clients. Together, Emmy and her clients work on reframing thought processes and building self-compassion.  Emmy earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Penfield College at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia, and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. Emmy is working under the supervision of Joel Baker, LMFT, and the clinical direction of Meg McLeroy, LMFT. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call or connect via email!

Cindy is a pastoral counselor at Freedom Path Counseling with more than 10 years of counseling experience. She has spent the last 20 years helping hurting people through Celebrate Recovery, Prison Fellowship Ministries, the Georgia Aftercare Network, and Healing Grace Ministries. Cindy experienced personal transformation in her life that led her to freedom from fear, anxiety, financial issues, and depression. She discovered her God-given gifts of compassion and helping those who are struggling. Cindy has the daily privilege of working with individuals and couples and seeing them transformed as they experience the true freedom, peace, joy, and hope found in Christ. Cindy has been married to her husband, Ed, since 1978 and has two sons, two amazing daughters-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. She loves spending time with family and friends, walking, hiking, reading, scrapbooking, and travel.    

Raising children is one of the most rewarding jobs on the planet, but it is also one of the hardest. There are times parents understand that their child has experienced something adverse and that therapy services are needed. However, children most often show their parents they need help through their behaviors, and it is easy to misattribute those behaviors to a difficult phase the child will simply grow out of. It is okay to need help determining the extent of your child’s struggles and to utilize therapy services to help them (and you!) find relief. As a child, adolescent, and parenting therapist, Kristi partners with families to restore balance, correct troublesome behaviors, and promote resiliency throughout the family system. She is passionate about combining principles from neurological growth and development with play therapy, creative-expressive therapy, sand tray therapy, parent coaching, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children ages 4–18 and parents of all ages. She also provides faith-based interventions upon request. Reach out to Kristi directly at (770) 653-7849 to schedule a free phone consultation.