Hi, thanks for reading my Bio! I've been a psychologist now for 30 years. Over that time, I've helped more than 10,000 people. This is my 3rd career - I started as a Domino's Pizza manager, then a computer programmer for IBM. I became a psychologist after seeing my own psychologist during a difficult divorce. I learned so much from that experience that I knew it was right for me - so I went back to school. I've also completed 90% of a post doctoral certificate in neuropsychology.

I find that most people I work with are interested in one of two kinds of therapy. First, some people are interested in problem solving / solution focused therapy - finding solutions to life's many problems. I use brain science and the design of human beings to develop creative shortcuts to these problems. I've created my own names for them, such as the 'what else' technique, or reverse psychologizing yourself, or the 3 P's of grieving, or the 'outside the box' technique.

Other people want to understand themselves at a deep level. Perhaps they find themselves making the same mistakes in life. Or they wonder 'how did I get here?' The want to understand their personality structure and to make deep, long lasting changes - to become, not necessarily happier, but more successful and satisfied with life. During this process, I describe what I consider to be 'the ultimate in mental health.'

And now you know ... The rest of the story!

Melanie is an Associate Professional Counselor. She completed her Bachelors in Photojournalism through the University of Georgia. While completing her BA she discovered that what she most enjoyed about Photojournalism was getting to know people, and to help them tell their stories. Realizing her passion to help people to experience and tell their story well, led her to complete her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Denver Seminary.

While completing her master’s she worked in a college setting counseling young adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and relational issues. After moving back to Georgia, she worked extensively with adults managing a range of mental health problems. She is passionate about working with teens, young adults, and individuals on issues of grief and loss, life transitions, career concerns, and relationship issues. Additionally, she enjoys helping couples rediscover joy in their marriage.

She seeks to create a warm and supportive environment where her clients feel heard and valued as they develop skills and process emotions to face life’s challenges. Melanie helps her clients pursue their goals through a holistic approach, using a variety of treatment methods that take into consideration a client’s physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, reading, and baking. She is a member of the LPCA of Georgia.

Do you find yourself spiraling with anxiety? If you're grappling with excessive worry about your health, experiencing panic attacks, or struggling with uncontrollable thoughts about everyday things, you're not alone. These challenges can be incredibly overwhelming and often lead to seeking constant reassurance from loved ones or compulsively searching for answers online. Maybe you’ve tried distracting yourself or avoiding situations, but nothing seems to provide lasting relief. It’s understandable to feel frustrated and exhausted by these cycles of anxiety.

I’m here to help. As a licensed therapist with a focus on anxiety disorders, I understand the complexities of these experiences. I use evidence-based approaches that are the gold standard of treatment.

If you're ready to break free from the cycle of anxiety and find meaningful relief, let's work together. My goal is to support you in building resilience and developing strategies tailored to your unique needs. Take the first step towards a more balanced life. Reach out today to schedule a consultation. You deserve to find peace and relief.

Dustin Ellis was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Lipscomb University and his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Prior to working with GROW, Dustin spent the last fourteen years using behavioral interventions like ABA with children and families on the autism spectrum. He has made the transition into the field of counseling because he has seen the unique needs that families with children on the spectrum face.

Dustin has specialized in providing resources and meeting the specific needs of the parents/families/siblings/caregivers who have children on the spectrum. His goal is to provide a holistic approach for supporting these families to thrive in the future.

Dustin has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples to better serve this population. He is a member of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Clients describe Dustin as warm and authentic while offering hope that change is possible. His approach centers around using awareness, practicing compassion, and acceptance of deeper emotions to create connection and change.

Dustin embraces the words of Brene’ Brown, “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”

Supervisor: Dr. Wendy Dickinson

Courtney is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) who received her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University, and her BA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Courtney has served in a wide range of clinical settings, working on an inpatient unit for trauma and eating disorders, in residential programs for sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and addictions, as well as the private practice setting.

Courtney works primarily with individual women, men, and teens. She specializes in complex trauma, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, PTSD, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, addictions (both substance and process), life transitions, family of origin issues, eating disorders, and co-dependency. Being an artist herself, Courtney also has an affinity for the pressure unique to artists and people whose livelihoods are based on their creative endeavors.

Working from an eclectic perspective enables Courtney to address the unique needs of each client. Courtney thinks holistically and systemically, and in addition to her Somatic Experiencing work, is also trained in EMDR to target specific traumatic events and beliefs. Her approach is compassionate, genuine, and direct.

Courtney’s belief in the resiliency of people and potential for the redemption of brokenness continues to fuel her passion for this work and hope for her clients.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or addiction, I can offer you a safe place to heal and grow. Looking into therapy is a brave first step in taking control of your life, and no matter what you are going through, I’ll meet you with compassion and respect. I believe my holistic approach to treating the mind, body, and soul—something I am very passionate about—can help you discover your best self.
I believe the ability to form close attachments and maintain satisfying relationships is at the core of a fulfilling life. That’s why I often work through a cognitive behavioral/emotional attachment lens, utilizing the therapeutic relationship to foster trust and connection. And because trauma is often at the root of many people’s pain, I’m also trained in EMDR.
My mission is to help you feel safe so you can tell your story, heal past emotional wounds, and find relief in the present. I have experience in various mental health settings, including residential, partial hospitalization, and individual therapy. As a trauma-informed therapist, I love working with adults dealing with anxiety, addiction, and trauma.

Maya is a licensed master social worker, emerging researcher, and doctoral candidate at Tulane University. She identifies as South Asian and is multilingual. Maya is interested in research and scholarship in epilepsy health disparities and compassion-focused interventions for individuals experiencing psychological distress.

As an integrative psychotherapist, she combines a variety of psychodynamic and mind-body modalities. She works with emerging adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and difficulties adjusting to life stressors.

Maya's psychotherapy core beliefs are twofold. First, compassion and respect are the basis of positive therapy experiences. Second, the personal connection and safeness established in the therapeutic relationship are catalysts for lasting change.

She is well versed in compassion-focused therapy (CFT), attachment-based psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness, and mentalization-based therapy (MBT).

In a partnership with patients, therapeutic care is informed by continuous learning and integrates the most recent research.

Brenley received her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Mercer School of Medicine. She obtained her B.A. in Law and Public Policy from Mercer University. While she obtained her graduate degree she gained valuable clinical experience working with patients in a hospital setting. She also obtained clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of concerns at the Mercer Family Therapy Center.

Her experience and passion includes working with children and adolescents. Specifically, Brenley has worked extensively with children, teens and families experiencing conflict, trauma, suicidal thoughts and developing healthy coping skills.

I specialize in working with individuals and couples who feel stuck in relationships. I work with clients to better understand their attachment styles and attune to their emotions. I also work with multicultural individuals and couples and work to help explore identities. As a second-generation Korean-American, I recognize the difficulties of navigating multiple cultural identities and the stigmas around mental health and therapy. I offer my services in English and Korean.