As a newly licensed associate professional counselor, Jill is full of anticipation. She imagines that clients coming to counseling for the first time might feel the same way—a little nervous, but hoping for positive experiences. Jill has learned there is something powerful that happens when you find a listening ear belonging to someone who’s totally for you. Though no one wants to experience disappointment, depression, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or moments of defeat, the hardships of life are inevitable. Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we need someone to walk along beside us, offering us hope and a helping hand. Just as this has been done for her, Jill desires to walk with someone else and help them find hope amid their trials. Jill believes God has given each person intrinsic worth, purpose, and identity. Her faith inspires her to counsel with excellence, using evidence-based theories and techniques. Most importantly, Jill believes God has a powerful, life-giving, life-changing love that has the ability to transform and restore broken hearts and relationships. She wants to hear your story and help you move beyond the struggles you’re facing.

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.    

Stanley Hoover is a licensed professional counselor, board certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors. He earned a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Mercer University and a master's degree in counseling from Richmont Graduate University. In addition to receiving specialized training in trauma counseling and spiritually integrated psychotherapy, Dr. Hoover is certified in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy by the Contemporary Psychodynamic Institute. Dr. Hoover's clinical practice is affiliated with the Hope Counseling Center at Richmont, where he serves as associate professor in the School of Counseling. 

You feel like you're not a good enough mother, but you're afraid to admit it to anyone so you're feeling more alone than you ever imagined. It wasn't supposed to be like this. How are other people doing it? You're feeling so overwhelmed that you can't think straight and can hardly handle what used to feel like the simplest of tasks. You're wondering if you'll ever get your old life back, or if you'll ever be able to go through the day without crying or lashing out at the people you love most. The kindest, most loving step you can take for yourself and for those you love is to reach out. Therapy can help. Lauren is here to take the journey with you. As you develop insights about yourself along with how and why you interact with the world in the ways you do, your confidence builds, and you can tackle the issues in your life again with honesty and purpose. Lauren utilizes a person-centered approach, following your lead to help clarify your goals and providing support as you work toward them. You come not as a passive learner but to actively work on yourself. We often have the solutions to the issues we face, but we need space to discover them within a collaborative, therapeutic relationship.

Brooke is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who provides therapy services to children, teens, and adults. Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in counseling/psychology from Toccoa Falls College and two master’s degrees in public health and social work from the University of Georgia.  Through her own lived experiences and a passion for understanding people, she has learned the value of empathy and acceptance in the healing process. Her therapeutic style is warm, empathetic, and relational, creating a space that fosters hope, acceptance, and positive change. Brooke's goal is to offer a safe, healing space where one feels free to navigate tough feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Her experience with kids, teens, and adults in mental health and public health settings has provided Brooke with a unique skill set to work with clients living with various mental health concerns. A few areas include anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, transitions, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, disasters, disordered eating, and trauma.

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.

Hailey Whitley holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Following graduation, she spent eight years working at Building Intimate Marriages, a group practice specializing in Christian sex therapy, before moving across town to open her own practice. She recently completed supervisor training to prepare for hiring an associate counselor and mentoring the next generation of therapists. Hailey also regularly meets with her own counselor because everyone can benefit from a safe space for continued growth. Her passion for supporting others stems from her own personal journey. Born in Atlanta and raised in Duluth, Georgia, Hailey grew up in a comfortable middle-class household. While her childhood was fairly typical, her family was not fully equipped to guide her through her emotions, leading her to suppress her feelings and navigate them alone. She later struggled with an eating disorder throughout much of high school, a struggle that was further exacerbated by sexual abuse from a trusted adult. At age 21, Hailey was led to Christ by her fiancé at the time, who was struggling with addiction. Although that relationship ended, her faith in Jesus continued to grow, ultimately allowing her to find true healing from her past pains and inspiring her decision to enter the field of therapy. Shortly before starting graduate school, Hailey met her now-husband, Reece. They have been happily married for nearly 11 years and live with their three children, a bearded dragon, and a therapy dog in training. Surrounded by a strong support system of friends and family, Hailey enjoys baking with home-milled flour in her free time.

This may not be your first step toward change, but it could be one of the best decisions yet!  Jessica will work alongside you on your journey toward wellness and the healing you desire. She has experience with a variety of specialties and works with clients based on their unique needs. Whether you are struggling in school or work; with relationships; or with anxiety, depression, or obsessive thoughts, she works with you to achieve the change you’re seeking. Therapeutic Impressions was created with a desire for helping others—specifically you! Jessica's mission is to provide you with a comfortable and compassionate atmosphere that caters to your needs and helps you achieve your goals. Let's work together to find a therapeutic style that suits you and your lifestyle. With over 10 years of experience, Jessica uses a variety of techniques to foster a healthy therapeutic relationship. She provides motivation and encouragement and ultimately promotes change for children, teens, and adults. She looks forward to working with you and thanks you in advance for entrusting her with your care.

While life certainly presents challenges, Shannon believes that people are fundamentally strong and resilient and that a partnership between client and therapist can facilitate change and lead to a path of greater peace, confidence, and positivity. She strives to provide a safe space, to ask questions, and to offer insight as the journey unfolds. Shannon is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a certified professional counselor supervisor who works with individuals, couples, families, and other therapists. Her practice focuses on teens and adults with anxiety, depression, life transitions, and chronic pain/disability. She especially likes supporting people with strong insight who are challenged in processing their emotions. She has a strengths-based approach, drawing on principles from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and solutions-focused therapies. Shannon is a proud alumnus of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Georgia State University. She spent nearly 20 years at Georgia Tech as a counselor and advisor before entering private practice.

Dr. Cheryl Gibson is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. Working primarily with young adults ages 17-25, although her practice also includes adult individual and couples counseling. Her clinical focus is based on a holistic model of mind, body and spirit using CBT, DBT and psychoanalysis. With an earned doctorate in Counseling in 2012 and a Masters in Social Work in 2003 she delivers compassionate and professional services to a diverse a population.