Melanie Ross

Associate Professional Counselor

About

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.

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.

Christine Van De Kerckhove

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

About

I consider it a gift to help individuals and couples meet their goals and work towards becoming their most authentic selves. I have expertise and experience treating depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, trauma, family and relational issues, marital concerns including infidelity, and more. My therapeutic approach is fairly simple: I believe you are the expert in your life and I am here as a partner and sounding board to help you make real positive changes. My therapeutic style takes into account my training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Gottman therapy for couples, in conjunction with my belief in the resilience of the human spirit. I tailor my methods to suit the unique needs of the couples and individuals I serve. I understand how daunting it can feel to reach out for help, but you don't have to face this alone. Together, we can embark on a journey toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I consider it a gift to help individuals and couples meet their goals and work towards becoming their most authentic selves. I have expertise and experience treating depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, trauma, family and relational issues, marital concerns including infidelity, and more. My therapeutic approach is fairly simple: I believe you are the expert in your life and I am here as a partner and sounding board to help you make real positive changes. My therapeutic style takes into account my training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Gottman therapy for couples, in conjunction with my belief in the resilience of the human spirit. I tailor my methods to suit the unique needs of the couples and individuals I serve. I understand how daunting it can feel to reach out for help, but you don't have to face this alone. Together, we can embark on a journey toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Porsha Jones

Marriage and Family Therapist

About

Porsha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from University of California at Berkeley then moved to Atlanta, Georgia and completed her Masters of Family Therapy degree from Mercer University School of Medicine. Porsha’s strength is providing an open, caring and safe environment for you to discuss your most private difficulties and challenges. She focuses on building a positive therapeutic relationship to promote maximum positive change and growth in you.

Porsha is experienced and passionate about working with individuals, couples and families suffering from issues surrounding anxiety, depression, major conflict, infidelity, divorce, and blended family dynamics. She uses Solution-Focused Therapy to help broaden clients’ understanding of the way they see themselves, their family and their situation.

Porsha specializes in working with professional athletes and understands the specific lifestyle challenges athletes and their families face. She tailors her approach to each unique situation and strives to meet the individual needs of each athlete and family.

In addition, Porsha believes that one’s thoughts ultimately determine their feelings and behaviors and therefore uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to identify destructive thinking patterns, creating more effective ways to respond to life’s challenges. In the words of John Holmer Miller, “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

Porsha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from University of California at Berkeley then moved to Atlanta, Georgia and completed her Masters of Family Therapy degree from Mercer University School of Medicine. Porsha’s strength is providing an open, caring and safe environment for you to discuss your most private difficulties and challenges. She focuses on building a positive therapeutic relationship to promote maximum positive change and growth in you.

Porsha is experienced and passionate about working with individuals, couples and families suffering from issues surrounding anxiety, depression, major conflict, infidelity, divorce, and blended family dynamics. She uses Solution-Focused Therapy to help broaden clients’ understanding of the way they see themselves, their family and their situation.

Porsha specializes in working with professional athletes and understands the specific lifestyle challenges athletes and their families face. She tailors her approach to each unique situation and strives to meet the individual needs of each athlete and family.

In addition, Porsha believes that one’s thoughts ultimately determine their feelings and behaviors and therefore uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to identify destructive thinking patterns, creating more effective ways to respond to life’s challenges. In the words of John Holmer Miller, “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

Lisa R. Jones

Associate Professional Counselor

About

Available to New Clients! In-person Acworth office or virtually.
Who Am I? We all desire to be heard, to be seen, to have a purpose, to know the truth, to trust, to be trusted, and to be whole. The mind, body, & spirit need to be well; we work with all three parts. Having grown up overseas, I know acculturation into the home country is a struggle. I know what it's like to be hurt by religion or church. I know what it's like to live with a narcissistic leader or family member.
I've experienced divorce, remarriage, had single-parenting struggles, learned to rebuild a family. I know the challenges of aging parents. Life is hard at any age. I am also an LGBTQIA ally.
I offer a safe space of acceptance & kind confrontation. Our lives are impacted by trauma, whether a one-time event or a life pattern. Trauma can be one-time or long-term; religious, psychological, or physical abuse by people we trust. I will walk alongside you, working through the past, accepting the present, working toward whole wellness in your future.
As your therapist, I want to be present with you where your needs may be. If it's anxiety, depression, gender identity issues, church or religion mess, trauma, aging parents, difficult kids, troubled or at-risk-marriage, toxicity, or a career change, I will listen to you. I offer an open mind but I will challenge you when you need another perspective.

Available to New Clients! In-person Acworth office or virtually.
Who Am I? We all desire to be heard, to be seen, to have a purpose, to know the truth, to trust, to be trusted, and to be whole. The mind, body, & spirit need to be well; we work with all three parts. Having grown up overseas, I know acculturation into the home country is a struggle. I know what it's like to be hurt by religion or church. I know what it's like to live with a narcissistic leader or family member.
I've experienced divorce, remarriage, had single-parenting struggles, learned to rebuild a family. I know the challenges of aging parents. Life is hard at any age. I am also an LGBTQIA ally.
I offer a safe space of acceptance & kind confrontation. Our lives are impacted by trauma, whether a one-time event or a life pattern. Trauma can be one-time or long-term; religious, psychological, or physical abuse by people we trust. I will walk alongside you, working through the past, accepting the present, working toward whole wellness in your future.
As your therapist, I want to be present with you where your needs may be. If it's anxiety, depression, gender identity issues, church or religion mess, trauma, aging parents, difficult kids, troubled or at-risk-marriage, toxicity, or a career change, I will listen to you. I offer an open mind but I will challenge you when you need another perspective.

Emily Ruggles

LPC, CRC

About

Emily specializes in working with individual adults and teens (15yo+). She has extensive experience working with young adults and college students having difficulty with anxiety, depression, life stage transitions (moving, graduation or career change), suicidal thoughts, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and dating. Having assisted collegiate student athletes as well as working with athletes at the professional level, Emily understands the unique pressures of being an athlete and the impact on mental health. She has a passion for helping her clients maximize their quality of life and perform to their greatest potential in every area of their lives.

Emily is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). This certification equips Emily to assist clients with mental health concerns affected by disabilities, traumatic brain injury and chronic health conditions. It allows Emily to address both the mental and physical components of wellness, thus improving clients’ daily functioning and their overall quality of life.

Emily specializes in working with individual adults and teens (15yo+). She has extensive experience working with young adults and college students having difficulty with anxiety, depression, life stage transitions (moving, graduation or career change), suicidal thoughts, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and dating. Having assisted collegiate student athletes as well as working with athletes at the professional level, Emily understands the unique pressures of being an athlete and the impact on mental health. She has a passion for helping her clients maximize their quality of life and perform to their greatest potential in every area of their lives.

Emily is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). This certification equips Emily to assist clients with mental health concerns affected by disabilities, traumatic brain injury and chronic health conditions. It allows Emily to address both the mental and physical components of wellness, thus improving clients’ daily functioning and their overall quality of life.