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.

Jackie Dunagan

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AAMFT Approved Supervisor

About

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

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

Candace Nino

Registered Associate MFT

About

My name is Candace Nino, I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. I graduated from California Baptist University with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. I have had the opportunity to work with the young adolescent population to provide school based therapy for the last four years. I have also gained clinical experience working with special education students who have faced emotional disturbances that impede their academic functioning. I have had the privilege of treating clients who struggled with depression, generalized anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and personality disorders. My theoretical orientation is Personal Centered Therapy and occasionally I utilize an eclectic approach to accommodate the clients individual needs and implement appropriate techniques that are most beneficial for the client. I provide therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families looking for additional social emotional support.

I aspire to assist clients in their moments of triumph as well as defeat, self-discovery, and understanding. I emphasize clients strengths and provide a safe environment to explore areas of growth and turmoil. My ultimate goal is to set the client up for success in achieving the best version of themselves and to sustain healthy functioning and symptom management. It would be a privilege to accompany you on your therapeutic journey.

My name is Candace Nino, I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. I graduated from California Baptist University with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. I have had the opportunity to work with the young adolescent population to provide school based therapy for the last four years. I have also gained clinical experience working with special education students who have faced emotional disturbances that impede their academic functioning. I have had the privilege of treating clients who struggled with depression, generalized anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and personality disorders. My theoretical orientation is Personal Centered Therapy and occasionally I utilize an eclectic approach to accommodate the clients individual needs and implement appropriate techniques that are most beneficial for the client. I provide therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families looking for additional social emotional support.

I aspire to assist clients in their moments of triumph as well as defeat, self-discovery, and understanding. I emphasize clients strengths and provide a safe environment to explore areas of growth and turmoil. My ultimate goal is to set the client up for success in achieving the best version of themselves and to sustain healthy functioning and symptom management. It would be a privilege to accompany you on your therapeutic journey.

Courtney Woodworth

APC

About

When life becomes overwhelming or filled with uncertainty, we all deserve a space to talk with someone who will not judge or shame us but who will walk alongside us as we figure it out. I believe that healing happens in connection, and we aren’t designed to figure it all out alone.

I value creating a safe and non-judgemental environment so my clients so they feel safe and comfortable when sharing their stories. I work primarily with trauma-related concerns, anxiety/ panic disorders, and depression.

Reaching out for support is an act of courage, and I admire the bravery it takes to consider counseling. My hope for you is that through the therapeutic process, you can be equipped with the tools to engage in a life that feels not only manageable but also more meaningful and fulfilling.

When life becomes overwhelming or filled with uncertainty, we all deserve a space to talk with someone who will not judge or shame us but who will walk alongside us as we figure it out. I believe that healing happens in connection, and we aren’t designed to figure it all out alone.

I value creating a safe and non-judgemental environment so my clients so they feel safe and comfortable when sharing their stories. I work primarily with trauma-related concerns, anxiety/ panic disorders, and depression.

Reaching out for support is an act of courage, and I admire the bravery it takes to consider counseling. My hope for you is that through the therapeutic process, you can be equipped with the tools to engage in a life that feels not only manageable but also more meaningful and fulfilling.

Sarah Valeriay

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor

About

Sarah considers her work in therapy to be a privilege with every client. She understands taking brave steps towards life-healing change is sacred work that should be met with detailed, compassionate care. Sarah strives to provide a safe environment for clients to build on their existing skills and address any areas of concerns they may have while moving towards transformation and freedom.

Sarah has served clients in a broad span of clinical and therapeutic settings. Her experience ranges from serving the mental health needs of the homeless population of Atlanta, to psychiatric hospital experience, therapeutic residential treatment for teens, and private practice. Sarah integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques to help clients identify and heal the deep heart wounds that can influence our core beliefs and impact our actions. The integration of faith in counseling is available upon request.

Sarah considers her work in therapy to be a privilege with every client. She understands taking brave steps towards life-healing change is sacred work that should be met with detailed, compassionate care. Sarah strives to provide a safe environment for clients to build on their existing skills and address any areas of concerns they may have while moving towards transformation and freedom.

Sarah has served clients in a broad span of clinical and therapeutic settings. Her experience ranges from serving the mental health needs of the homeless population of Atlanta, to psychiatric hospital experience, therapeutic residential treatment for teens, and private practice. Sarah integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques to help clients identify and heal the deep heart wounds that can influence our core beliefs and impact our actions. The integration of faith in counseling is available upon request.