I am a member of the LGBT community in Atlanta and have been providing services to my community since 2010. I take a holistic approach to therapy, taking the client’s entire being into consideration for a more tailored approach to psychotherapy. As a gay person myself, I understand the unique challenges faced by our community throughout our development into adulthood and as we transition from one life phase to another. I have practiced as a counselor, life coach and psychotherapist in both private practice and mental health agency settings for over 10 years.

Sarah is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in working with women on identity formation and development, developing healthy relationships with others and self, life-stage transitions, and grief and loss.

Sarah holds a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling from Mercer University. Her dual training is reflective of her passionate interest in the relationship between spiritual health and mental health. She has been formed by her professional experience in hospital, palliative care/hospice, and mental health settings and by her international volunteer work in Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying in Kolkata, India.

Sarah seeks to support her clients in building lives of meaning in alignment with their values. She incorporates narrative techniques to explore the wisdom in her clients' stories, and she integrates existential theory as clients navigate questions regarding relationships, trauma recovery, identity, purpose, and spirituality. Sarah believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship and empowers her clients to be active participants in their own growth process.

I believe that we all have the capacity to grow towards becoming better versions of ourselves. I work systemically and collaboratively with individuals, couples, and families to help them achieve their desired goals for treatment. I place great emphasis on developing a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients, while also valuing the inherent ability that each person has to work towards individual growth and change. I utilize a variety of interventions in working with clients, viewing treatment through the lens of experiential and structural therapy.

For Adolescents in distress…
The teen and preteen years can be exciting, but also extremely challenging, especially when your child appears to be struggling. Challenging teen behaviors or poor academic performance can be frustrating for the parent, but also may signal that your child is not at their best. I enjoy working with adolescents to help them better understand and manage their struggles, while also helping to build the bridge of communication with the family, fostering a stronger parent-child relationship.

For Families in distress…
Family can be a source of strength, joy, and companionship, but can also feel tense, uncomfortable, and broken when not functioning at its best. It is extremely common to feel "stuck" in the same patterns of behavior. Families often are great solvers of their own problems, but when it feels like you’ve tried everything, often therapy can help family members learn to relate in new and more rewarding ways.

For Couples in distress…
Ever feel like you have the same arguments with your partner over and over again? Do you worry that you’ve tried everything and feel like you keep getting the same outcome? While these feelings of being "stuck" can be highly stressful, there is hope. Therapy can help couples identify new, positive interaction patterns towards a more fulfilling relationship.

Melissa Murphy, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, C-DBT, is a seasoned therapist and clinical director at Bethesda Therapy, licensed in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD, she employs ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), recognized as leading treatments for OCD. Melissa's expertise extends to managing mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain disorders. Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based, focusing on developing personalized strategies for each client.

As a Gottman-trained couples therapist, Melissa is adept at addressing the complexities of relationships affected by ADHD and OCD. She also treats Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) and finds profound fulfillment in supporting therapists and those in helping professions. Her work is underpinned by advanced training in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Children and young adults have such unique issues to navigate in today’s world. As a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, I want to create a space for children and young adults to process where they are no matter what that looks like. As a therapist, I specialize in working with clients that struggle with anxiety, depression, life changes and adjustment to different phases and stages of life. Young people are constantly growing and changing. I work with clients to process their growing pains through self-expression.

As a former school counselor, I have a heart for helping young people overcome challenges and realize their strengths. Expressive arts and creativity are often at the core of our sessions. Whether that is writing, drawing, or other forms of art, we can use those skills to help you process and externalize even the most challenging emotions. My biggest goal is for you to be able to utilize your passions in the healing process. Ultimately, therapy is a brave space where I guide you in taking ownership of your story and experiences. It would be an honor to start that journey with you!

When I am not with clients, I spend my time supporting my alma mater, the University of Georgia! Go dawgs!!

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.

Dr. Bilka tailors her therapeutic approach to fit each client’s unique needs. She integrates several therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, EMDR and relational techniques to provide comprehensive and dynamic treatment. Dr. Bilka’s clinical interests include gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/questioning issues, adolescent and adult life transitions, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse. She specializes in treating teenagers and young adults dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. Dr. Bilka is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been proven highly effective for the treatment of trauma as well as with many other issues. She incorporates warmth, empathy, humor and insight-oriented methods into her practice. Dr. Bilka views the therapeutic process as a collaborative one in which the therapist offers understanding and support, providing the client with the space to develop a deeper understanding of his or her self and the courage to work toward change.

Dealing with life’s many obstacles alone can be challenging. My hope is that I can help support you along that journey. Togetherness is described as a strength and courage. As an associate marriage and family therapist with a multicultural background and first a generation American I have been educated in a multitude of life’s perspective views. With over five years of experience working with CBT, PCT, SFBT, and narrative therapeutic modalities I’ve successfully worked with substance use disorder and behavioral health. My therapeutic process is person centered my goal is to walk along the side of you in support of your journey.

Joy Fortanbary completed a Masters of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University and also holds a B.A. in Public Relations Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She is an Associate Professional Counselor by the Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, And Marriage and Family Therapists. She is also a National Certified Counselor by the National Board of Certified Counselors and an ASAT-Candidate from the International Institute of Trauma and Addictions Specialists. Additionally, Joy has specialized training in EMDR, a therapeutic technique designed to help people struggling to process trauma.

Joy is passionate about partnering with individuals on the journey towards interpersonal healing that leads to generational change. She believes the most powerful growth happens in the context of relationship, which leads to her commitment to provide a genuine space marked by curiosity and collaboration.

Joy enjoys working with individuals navigating various challenges such as trauma, sex and love addictions, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and relationship conflict. Joy utilizes an integrative and holistic approach in the process of helping clients reach their personalized goals and lead a life more by design and not by default.

Joy gained valuable experience working with both individuals and groups in private practice and treatment center settings. Prior to counseling, she worked with leaders to establish national and global organizational partnerships at a large nonprofit in the Atlanta area. In her free time, Joy enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Are you struggling to find balance and create momentum in your daily life? I am offering virtual healthcare when you need it most. Through video calls we can meet, identify what change you want to occur and create a plan that propels you to a brighter future.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I have over 15 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Using a variety of behaviorally-focused approaches I work with my clients to help them achieve their individual goals.

I utilize a behavior analytic approach to assist my clients. This includes creating SMART goals, taking baseline data, implementing interventions, and tracking progress throughout the duration of therapy. Give me a call and let's get started!