Kathleen Shack, M.S., LMFT, has been in private practice for 20 years. She is an experienced licensed marriage and family therapist, certified discernment counselor, certified Gottman therapist, divorce coach and registered divorce mediator. She helps individuals, couples, and families minimize the negative and find lasting solutions. Kathleen helps people find inner strength and gives them tools they can use to navigate their relationships and their world.  Using the Gottman Method, Kathleen guides couples on how to build and maintain healthy relationships. Discernment counseling helps couples on the brink of divorce to gain clarity and confidence about the direction of their relationship. In mediation, Kathleen leads divorcing individuals toward resolution of issues, works with parents to develop a parenting plan, and provides insight to parents regarding their child's needs before, during, and after divorce.  Kathleen earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia and master’s degree in marriage and family therapy/family studies from the University of Kentucky. A native of Atlanta, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, extended family, and pets. Kathleen’s website is www.MFTGA.com, email is Kathleen@MFTGA.com, and her phone number is 678-220-0090. The office is located at 3534 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Ruth is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in multicultural counseling as well as individual, couples, and family therapy.  She has maintained a private practice in Sandy Springs, and Alpharetta, Georgia. Now she is seeing clients using telemental health across the state of Georgia. In addition to over 20 years of experience as a pastoral counselor, Ruth has a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She also has seven years of experience working as an individual, marriage, and family therapist in the Latino community settings in Metro Atlanta. Ruth is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build onto their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. Ruth currently serves as a private practitioner and works with a broad spectrum of clients. She is trained in PREPARE/ENRICH and the Gottman Method, and she is certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Among her areas of expertise are individual counseling, premarital counseling, couples/marital counseling, family counseling, pastoral counseling, and children and adolescents. She also specializes in mindfulness, depression group counseling, behavioral problems, addictions, substance abuse, parenting, depression, anxiety, domestic abuse, grief and loss, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), women's issues, postpartum depression, phase-of-life problems, and spirituality issues. In addition to being a well-known relationship therapist, Ruth has presented at national and international conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of women’s issues.

The vision of loving one person for a lifetime seems easy when you are in the early stages of love. Most couples along the way, however, hit one or many bumps that may leave them questioning their decision to marry and doubting whether a lifetime commitment is truly possible. Dana is a therapist who believes in marriage. She works with her clients to establish a strong connection. It can be confusing to be successful in your career and education but still feel like you are not measuring up in your marriage. Many young couples today want better relationships than their parents had, but they need role models and skills in order to build lasting marriages. You are not alone! When it comes to adding to the family, couples may unexpectedly face trauma, feelings of depression, or anxiety around the time of a child's birth. Dana is available to walk with you through this, too. Whatever stage you are at in your relationship, Dana helps couples restore peace. Many minority and biracial couples as well as Christian clients find themselves at home with her, though all are welcome. Feel free to call Dana to talk through any questions you may have. She is seeing clients virtually. 

As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Anderson provides individual therapy services to diverse adult populations. Dr. Anderson is passionate about helping clients in their journey of personal growth, insight, and change. She is very patient and careful to listen to the needs of her clients,  facilitating a safe haven for them to express their thoughts, feelings, and struggles. Her integrative therapy approach matches interventions to unique client needs. Dr. Anderson is especially impassioned about the integration of spirituality/Christianity and psychology. Dr. Anderson earned a doctorate in clinical psychology at Regent University. She completed her internship at the Southern Louisiana Internship Consortium. Dr. Anderson is from South Africa and is fluent in English and Afrikaans. She enjoys hiking, tennis, outdoor activities, and vacations to beautiful beach locations.

Owner of Life Renewed Counseling, Laura is a licensed professional counselor striving to provide effective and honest care for individuals and families who struggle. Whether clients know the circumstances that have brought them to where they are or they are confused and trying to figure out how things got off-track, she works with them to address each issue and create a life worth living. She helps each client become the best version of themselves, have fulfilling relationships, and live with a clear purpose that brings them joy. Laura treats each of her clients with a tailored plan in order to address a variety of concerns and diagnoses, including depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and family conflict. Many clients choose to integrate their faith into the therapy experience. Laura enjoys her job immensely and is passionate about pursuing hope and healing with and for her clients. She believes there is no story too messy, no mistake too big, and no pain too great for anyone to go on suffering. There is true beauty that can come from ashes.

Austin is a licensed professional counselor who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia Southern University. He earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Mercer University. Before joining Thrive Forward Therapy, Austin worked at Ridgeview Institute, where he helped individuals and families navigate mental health crises and transition from inpatient to outpatient care. As an adjunct professor at Mercer, he teaches future licensed professional counselors. Austin uses a collaborative, client-centered approach and helps guide clients toward making the changes they want for a more enriched life. To help clients find a renewed sense of self and healing, he uses integrated theoretical approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy. He works with men, teens, and couples on relationship concerns, depression, anxiety, addiction, and life transitions.  Austin lives in the Atlanta area, where he enjoys live music, movies, sports, and trying new restaurants. He loves sharing quality time with his family and friends. Austin is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia.

Anxiety, worry, and stress can cripple anyone’s life to the point of fatigue, social isolation, depression, and the avoidance of valued activities and goals. People are often left feeling lonely, inadequate, socially anxious—even panicky. Ignoring anxiety or self-medicating with alcohol or drugs makes matters worse. Hector helps people grow and expand into a state of freedom, self-confidence, and empowerment so they can embrace life. Hector himself has recovered from crippling symptoms of anxiety disorders; he truly understands anxiety from the inside out! Traumatic experiences such as childhood abuse and neglect can haunt people for a lifetime. Reliving distressing memories or having nightmares or negative thoughts can make the past seem real when, in reality, it is not. Despite the best self-help efforts, after a short time some people return to the "same old, same old" without getting the results and symptom relief they long for. That's discouraging, isn't it? But long-lasting, personal change is possible. Relief is real; don't lose hope. You’re too important! As a psychotherapist, Hector has been helping people for over 12 years. Using scientifically proven, effective approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based therapy, Hector assists people in developing coping skills they can implement naturally. Through quicker yet still effective methods like EMDR interlaced with hypnosis, Hector helps rewrite negative stories and memories stored in the subconscious mind, where distressing memories, irrational fears, and anxiety reside. In using these methods, people achieve a more thorough and long-lasting renovation of mind, body, spirit, and soul. Hector has also spent several years helping people overcome addictions. Late afternoon and Saturday appointments are available. Visit Hector’s website and call today for a free, confidential 15-minute phone consultation! Hector is only offering virtual services to his clients at this time, which can have the same treatment effect as in-person services.

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.

Jennie is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. She graduated with a Doctor of Ministry in spiritual formation and leadership from Portland Seminary of George Fox University. She holds a Master of Arts in professional counseling and received a Christian sex therapy certification and a spirituality and counseling certification from Richmont Graduate University. She also received a certification in spiritual formation with the London Cohort of the Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. Jennie is a certified facilitator for the PREPARE/ENRICH Premarital Counseling Program and is certified in Christian sex education from the Christian Association of Sexual Educators. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Georgia. Jennie is devoted to using the tools of Christian psychotherapy, prayer ministry, and spiritual formational resources to help individuals discover a deeper relationship with God in the midst of their life struggles. She is dedicated to the continual development of excellent, individualized, clinical services for her clients.

Erica has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2006. Within this timeframe, she has provided individual, family, and couples therapy. During her early years of licensure, Erica worked with Community Solutions, providing intensive in-home counseling to families and high-risk teens involved with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. This included working directly with county and state juvenile probation officials, courts, and judges. In 2014, Erica received her Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor Certification. She then provided clinical supervision to social service interns looking to practice in the field of marriage and family therapy, counseling, and social work.  Erica became the Regional Executive Director with Southwest Key Programs in 2019, overseeing up to 17 master’s degree-level clinicians throughout Georgia. Using Functional Family Therapy (FFT), an evidenced-based therapy model, clinicians provided in-home therapy to teens and their families involved in the court system. Erica supported clinicians, individuals, and families, helping them navigate areas such as parenting, delinquency, teen alcohol and drug use, depression, anxiety, trauma, anger, and boundaries.  Erica now works with the Veterans Health Administration. She supports veterans through immediate crises as they struggle with issues including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), and suicidal ideations.  Erica is also passionate about working in private practice, where she uses the modalities Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. She supports individuals and couples struggling with challenges such as religious trauma, intimacy, desire discrepancies, performance anxiety, sexual health, and maintaining wellness. Erica helps educate the community and faith-based organizations about mental health issues via presentations, conferences, and seminars. Erica enjoys working toward spiritual wellness, travel, sports, and spending time with family and friends.