I appreciate working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I use an eclectic approach that tailors the therapeutic process to the unique needs of each client. I have experience treating adolescents, teens, and adults that are facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal ideation, life transitions and self-esteem. I enjoy helping teens with developing future goals for college and career readiness and transitioning into adulthood.
I provide support, coping skills, and a nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel safe sharing their experiences. We will work together to develop and achieve goals.

My desire is to come alongside you during life transitions, relationship issues and stressful times to provide a supportive and caring environment that assists you in dealing with life's difficulties. I work with women, adolescents and families struggling with anxiety, depression, addictions, faith-based issues, stress management, trauma, childhood sexual abuse, grief and relationship problems.

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.

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.

I have a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and work with adults, teens, children, and couples. I am a person -centered and strengths based counselor, which means that I see you as the expert on you and will use my skills to help you find the solutions to your problems that are best for you. During our work together I will draw from various counseling theories including: solutions focused brief therapy, psychodynamic, CBT, and attachment theory. I have a certificate in child and adolescent therapy and specialized training in play therapy that I will use with my younger clients.

My philosophy is that every client that walks through my office door already possesses the answers to their problems. They just don’t know they do. I believe that counseling is a healing collaboration between counselor and client, where the client as the expert, and the counselor alongside the client, together evoke the emotional, psychological, and physical changes identified and desired by the client.
I earned both my undergraduate degree in psychology(2008) as well as my master’s in professional counseling(2011) from Georgia State University. I began my career working mainly with survivors of trauma. I believe that trauma is a part of life and began noticing a strong correlation between trauma, anxiety, and emotional eating and weight gain.
I work with weightloss in a unique way, by helping you get to the root of the issue. Whether its a childhood trauma or an unhealthy coping skill, together in collaboration with your body lets find the answer.

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.

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!

I have a passion to work with adolescents (13+) and adults on an individual basis who are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and identity development, life transitions, spirituality. I also have a desire to help individuals who have experienced infidelity and sexual betrayal heal from their experiences. First and foremost, my goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can begin your journey of healing, progress, and growth. I am practicing under the direction of Melanie Gulley and the supervision of DeVon Mills, PhD, LPC, ACS at Compassion Cove Counseling.