Lisa is an Associate Professional Counselor and a National Board Certified Counselor who has more than ten years of experience specializing in working with children, teens, and families in private, public, and charter schools in metro Atlanta. She encompasses a unique perspective stemming from her years as a teacher, school counselor, and school-based therapist providing a proactive approach to wellness. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Mississippi, Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Reinhardt University, and Master of Science in School Counseling from Mercer University. Lisa is well versed in working with families from different backgrounds and clients who are diagnosed with various learning disabilities. She is passionate about bridging the gap between home and school in order for clients to reach their full potential and for stakeholders to be mindful and sensitive to the necessary accommodations to ensure emotional, social, and academic success. During her time within the school setting and clinical experience with a local agency, Lisa has worked extensively with families who have experienced life stage transitions such as: adoption, grief, and divorce. She utilizes mindfulness, play therapy, and sand-tray techniques in order to empower clients to experience reflection and personal growth. Lisa is certified with Connection Coalition, a non-profit organization that provides trauma-informed yoga programing and is a member of the Association of Play Therapy and the American Counseling Association. Lisa’s specializations include: Learning Disabilities: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in all forms, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communication Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Learning Disorders with impairment in reading, written expression, and mathematics Trauma: Grief and loss, domestic violence, human trafficking, neglect, sexual abuse, natural disasters Children & Teens: Anxiety, bullying, career counseling, college acceptance, depression, developmental transitions, executive functioning, identity development, self-esteem, social skills, testing anxiety, perfectionism, athletic performance anxiety, peer relationships, suicidal and homicidal ideation, self harm, mood dysregulation and psychotic disorders Families: Communication, boundary setting, blended families, foster care and adoption, conflict resolution, life-stage transitions, stress management, limit setting, parent-child relationship development Lisa’s therapeutic style includes holistic psychotherapy, cultural competence, and empathetic understanding with unconditional positive regard to all clients. In addition to providing services to clients, Lisa is passionate about spending time outdoors, running and yoga, as well as prioritizing quality time with her family, friends, and Golden Retriever. Supervisors: Kim DeRamus Lareau, LPC, CPCS; Yolanda Fountain, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, RPT-S, NCC

Mindy Pierce is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice with GROW Counseling. She received her MA in Counseling Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University and her BA from Asbury University. Her clinical experience includes working with men's and women's issues; couples with various relationship issues; pornography and infidelity; substance and process addictions; depression; anxiety; grief; OCD; PTSD; personality disorders; parenting stress; and survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, complex trauma, secondary trauma, and commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. She is also trained in PREPARE/ENRICH and EMDR. Mindy has led short-term teams and/or facilitated counseling seminars in Mexico, Uganda, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka. She and her husband spent 18 months living in Sri Lanka and working for a post-tsunami recovery project, where she also began her involvement in anti-human trafficking work. Upon returning to the US, she has worked in a private, residential setting and in private practice. Mindy also understands the challenges faced by those working on the front lines of law enforcement, fire and rescue, and EMS.

Megan Barfield is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works to help each client reach their full potential and feel confident in every area of their lives. Megan works with individuals, couples, and families, and she specializes in the areas of anxiety, family systems and dynamics, women’s and young female issues, self-worth and life's transitions. Megan creates a compassionate, therapeutic space for clients to be vulnerable.  All of life's transitions come with obstacles, both new and old, that can be difficult to navigate: the transition to college, moving to a new town, marriage & divorce, relationships beginning & ending. Megan can work with you in each of these seasons to move forward with confidence and to strengthen decision-making skills & relationships. She has worked at Summit Counseling Center as an office-based and school-based therapist for four years. Megan is a trained Prepare Enrich facilitator for premarital therapy and couples counseling.  Megan earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Marcel helps adults heal, learn, and grow from the challenges of life such as broken relationships, loss, burnout, workaholism, transitions, anger, disappointment, and lack of fulfillment. Her business experience and psychotherapy training position her to help clients address both personal and professional issues. She brings a combination of warmth, pragmatism, humor, and truth-telling to help her clients improve their well-being and performance.   Being brought up in the church, Marcel felt the principles of Christianity to be true but wasn't always certain on how to apply them in everyday life. After two decades of research and personal development, Marcel helps clients align their behaviors with their faith practice. She does this by merging faith-based principles with neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness to help clients break out of limiting behaviors to make lasting change. Marcel is trained on several sophisticated personality instruments such as the Enneagram, the Hogan, MBTI, DiSC, and others.

Mayra is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health from Richmont Graduate University. Her clinical experience includes an emphasis on depression and anxiety disorders, addiction, spiritual growth, life transitions, emotional intelligence, and building healthy relationships. In her practice, Mayra utilizes attachment theory, cognitive behavioral theory (CBT), family systems, and emotionally focused therapy, among others. She is currently PREPARE/ENRICH certified, trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and telemental health. She will soon be a certified clinical anxiety treatment professional (CCATP) and is completing certifications in the Gottman Method and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).Mayra values the impact of childhood and adolescent experiences on adult identity, relationships, and behavior. Consequently, her heart as a therapist is to help people connect with God, themselves, and others so they can find fulfillment and purpose. She believes that a strong, therapeutic relationship provides a safe environment, which allows the individual to explore and discover who they are created to be. Mayra was born in Lima, Peru, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

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/.

Emily is an Associate Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University. Prior to attending Richmont, Emily earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!). Emily has worked with children, teens, adults, and families in both hospital and private practice settings. Emily has specific experience working with children and teens with eating disorders. Emily provides evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, including working closely with families and collaborating with additional providers as needed. Emily also works with clients with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and trauma. When she’s not in the office, Emily enjoys painting, reading, and walking her dog Shiloh!

Nina received a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University. Prior to her time at Richmont, she attended and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences. Nina has worked with multiple populations, and her areas of focus include adults, adolescents, relationships, trauma, DBT, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and premarital counseling. During her Master’s program at Richmont, she held internships at both Skyland Trail and the Hope Counseling Center, where she worked with individuals, couples, and groups, utilizing DBT and other modalities. When she is not counseling, Nina can be found traveling around various states or exploring other countries. She is incredibly outgoing and loves adventure. In the same way that she encourages her clients, she likes to look at her life from a holistic viewpoint. She is continually challenging herself to be the healthiest she can be physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Nina loves learning and looks for opportunities to continue to expand her knowledge in a wide variety of areas.

The desire to help others, modeled by my parents, took me to Wartburg College, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2010. Afterward, I advanced to the position of program director at a community-based agency providing mental health support services to adults with chronic mental illness. In 2013, I earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Northern Iowa. I then became a medical social worker for a large home healthcare provider. From 2017 to 2021, I worked for the Veterans Health Administration, serving veterans and their spouses and caregivers. While at the VA, I counseled those living with PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, and physical disabilities, providing them with patient advocacy, group therapy, individual therapy, and couples’ therapy. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and in the treatment of addictions. I am currently pursuing training and certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). As a therapist, I am grateful to come alongside people in their journey for change while applying interventions to support their recovery, restoration, and healing. Being raised in a Christian household laid the foundation of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Still, it was not until college that I truly depended on the Lord for my mental, physical, and spiritual strength and experienced the healing power of his grace. Scripture reminds me that all relationships with self and others improve through faith and love. Self-love and loving others are navigational tools we can use amid any storm we face. My hope is that every person I encounter experiences a caring, empathetic, nonjudgmental spirit from me, no matter their individual faith background. I welcome all clients from any faith or with no faith background at all.  My goal is to encourage children, adolescents, adults, and couples by focusing on their strengths while empowering them to build upon interventions and coping skills. With a warm and attentive approach, I encourage mutual feedback, believing this keeps the therapeutic relationship honest and helpful. I realize that reaching out for counseling is difficult, but the fact that you are reading this indicates you are ready to make a change. Call me at Family Renewal Counseling at 678-631-7639 to schedule an initial consultation.

After high school Scott Bonk joined the Marines. It was during his time in the Marines that he learned about Christ and began to have a relationship with Jesus. Scott was active in church while stationed in Hawaii.   After spending four enlightening years in the Marines, Scott went to seminary at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Scott earned a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies in 1991. During his time in college, Scott went on several missions trips to London, Hungary, and throughout the Soviet Union.    In 1992, Scott traveled to Lithuania where he taught at the university. After returning home from Lithuania, Scott was accepted into the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Harding University.      After earning a master's degree in marriage and family therapy Scott worked for the Christian Counseling Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Scott has also practiced in Alabama and Arkansas, working mostly with teenagers struggling with substance abuse issues.    In 2003, Scott moved to Georgia. He worked for Creative Consulting Services helping individuals with developmental disabilities.      Scott also worked for the state of Georgia as a supervisor and social worker, again serving individuals with disabilities. Scott worked for the state of Georgia for almost 10 years.    In 1996, Scott also opened up his own private practice at Heritage Baptist Church, serving individuals in his community. Scott's primary focus has been working with couples in crisis.