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

I have 10 years of experience working with individuals. I first started working at the school systems doing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to kids struggling with different diagnosis. (More on ABA later!) I also worked at an agency working with high crisis behavior such as self-injury and high magnitude aggression for children 2 to 18 years old. Later on, I got to manage two Adult Family Homes for people with developmental disabilities (autism, down syndrome, etc). I got my masters at Gonzaga University and continue to grow my experience as an intern at Frontier Behavioral Health where I got to see clients with Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression and more. I have seen and counseled many different people with different diagnosis and various challenges. I highly enjoy working with autistic adults as well as anybody going through any life transition.

Disclaimer: I am a neurodivergent affirmative therapist. I do not run under ABA practices and I am here to help talk about healing from any form of therapy that did not suit your unique needs.

I help individuals, partners, and families sort through their history and stories of pain, highlight their resilience, expand their emotional awareness, and practice new behaviors for a life of health and wholeness.

I practice under the LPC-MHSP (Temporary) license in Tennessee with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am a National Certified Counselor, Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, and have level 1 & 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. My supervision until I am fully licensed is under Dr. John Kennedy.

Before entering the counseling profession, I dabbled in various creative ventures between parenting and homemaking. I enjoy working with my hands, whether in the dirt gardening, repurposing old furniture, or mending ragged stitches.

Life’s transitions—whether in relationships, family, or discovering a renewed sense of self—can feel both overwhelming and full of possibility. Many couples find themselves caught between love and conflict, unsure how to move forward, while individuals may be seeking clarity in a new season. With thoughtful support, it is possible to rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and create deeper, more secure connections. My work focuses on guiding couples and individuals through these pivotal moments with insight, compassion, and strategies that foster resilience and lasting change.

I became a therapist because I value the meaningful relationships I’ve built with my clients. It is an honor each time someone chooses me to walk alongside them—through the difficult parts of life and in celebrating their growth and successes. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, yet at times more directive with couples when it supports their goals. I draw from proven frameworks, including the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Attachment-based approaches, and Narrative therapy. This allows me to tailor each session to your unique story, always with the aim of strengthening connection and creating lasting transformation.

I am also the host of Everything is Clinical, a podcast for mental health pros, where we explore challenges in the field and dive deeper into important clinical topics. Sponsored by The Right Counselor, this work extends my passion for advancing clinical excellence and supporting the growth of other professionals in the field.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and AAMFT Approved Supervisor, I bring both expertise and empathy to my practice. I hold a Master of Family Therapy degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and am a Gottman Level 3 trained couples therapist as well as a Gottman 7 Principles Educator. I specialize in working with couples—including step-couples and blended families—navigating remarriage, co-parenting, and loyalty binds, as well as individuals facing life transitions such as launching adult children, grief and loss, redefining purpose, or caring for aging parents.

I provide counseling for couples, individuals, and families across Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina through secure telehealth sessions. This gives clients the flexibility to receive high-quality care from the comfort of their own home while maintaining privacy and convenience. For new clients, I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation via HIPAA-compliant video. While my schedule often books a few weeks in advance, I can typically schedule this introductory meeting within the week. If you are ready to take the next step toward healing, clarity, and lasting connection, schedule an introductory meeting at dunagancollective.janeapp.com

I am passionate about my work and love what I do. I have seen the effects that therapy can have in peoples’ lives and I am always honored to be a part of that process.

I received my M.A. in Psychology from Seattle University, and I completed my internship at Seattle Counseling Service. I am a veteran of the United State Navy.

In most cases the collaborative meaning-making process undertaken by client and therapist is the change factor that leads to clarity, relief, freedom and flourishing.

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.

I am a compassionate therapist committed to guiding AAPI and BIPOC women through the challenges rooted in cultural values, family conflicts, anxiety, depression, exploring intersectionality, and intergenerational trauma. As a South Asian American, I bring a culturally sensitive approach that fosters a connection with my clients. As a therapist, I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to support individuals in processing and overcoming the impact of traumatic experiences. Trauma is not always the byproduct of significant life altering events but can occur from small events like chronic stress, bullying, discrimination, dysfunctional family dynamics, microaggression, and constant exposure to challenging situations. EMDR involves a structured approach, helping clients identify and reframe/reprocess negative beliefs and emotions associated with past traumas. I also utilize therapeutic frameworks as Humanistic Person-Centered approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Strengths Based approach.

I specialize in evidence-based practices, including CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based theories, to help clients explore difficult emotions, challenge harmful thought patterns, and better manage stress and anxiety. As a proud two-time HBCU graduate (Spelman College and Howard University), I bring a wealth of experience from working in diverse settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and virtually-based mental healthcare.

My expertise includes supporting individuals with eating disorders, developmental challenges like Autism and ADHD, and those navigating life’s complexities. I am especially passionate about uplifting and empowering Black women, considering it a true privilege to amplify our greatness and nurture healing and growth.

Dominique Braden is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Nashville, Tennessee. Dominique graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2017 with a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dominique has experience with a wide variety of clients specifically, women, men, and couples. Therapeutic specialists include trauma, attachment-focused therapy, LGBTQ, and marginalized populations. Dominique primarily adapts attachment-focused therapy and systemic family therapy.

With over 19 years of experience in counseling, I am dedicated to helping others navigate life's challenges. I believe in creating a safe and comfortable environment where you can express yourself freely and work towards positive change. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, or any other issue, I am here to listen and provide the support and coping skills you need to improve your daily functioning.

My career has spanned various roles, including Social Work Case Management, Mental Health Professional, and Director of Upward Bound and Student Support Services (TRIO Programs). I have worked with a diverse population, including children, adolescents, adults, parents, first-generation students, non-traditional students, juvenile delinquents, and male inmates. I retired in 2016 from the Alabama state system with 25 years of service and reentered the workforce from 2016 to 2023 as a Mental Health Professional in a correctional facility.

I specialize in Anger Management, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Stress, Mood Disorders, Oppositional Defiant, Grief Issues, PTSD, Trauma, Parenting, Bullying, Suicidal Ideations, and Life Transitions. I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Reality Therapy, Multicultural Therapy, Eclectic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.