Johanna Karasik

Licensed Professional Counselor

About

Stress just. won't. stop. and “work-life balance” seems like an impossible feat. Your stress has been building for FAR too long; you can't remember the last time you weren’t so overwhelmed or anxious. You can't stand how irritable you’ve become, especially around those you love. Your go-to de-stressors just aren't cutting it anymore - or it's a struggle to use them, and you’re growing tired of your own procrastination, rumination, and withdrawing from others. You want to be more present in your life & relationships. You want to feel like your old self again - or a new, calmer self - on a path of continued growth and success. You want more for yourself and are ready for change.

I can help by co-creating a brave & safe space and validating you - especially when it feels like no one understands. With Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), we can help you feel quick relief from prior traumas and distresses, eliminate triggers, and move forward feeling lighter and calmer. We'll rebuild coping skills for relief now & prevention later. I'll challenge you (with care), offer accountability, and use your strengths to help you meet your goals. Ideally, we'll also laugh together and connect as humans.

You're struggling now and contacting therapists only to then wait for responses is frustrating. Skip the waiting and take another step toward relief now by scheduling a brief phone consult directly on my website!

Stress just. won't. stop. and “work-life balance” seems like an impossible feat. Your stress has been building for FAR too long; you can't remember the last time you weren’t so overwhelmed or anxious. You can't stand how irritable you’ve become, especially around those you love. Your go-to de-stressors just aren't cutting it anymore - or it's a struggle to use them, and you’re growing tired of your own procrastination, rumination, and withdrawing from others. You want to be more present in your life & relationships. You want to feel like your old self again - or a new, calmer self - on a path of continued growth and success. You want more for yourself and are ready for change.

I can help by co-creating a brave & safe space and validating you - especially when it feels like no one understands. With Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), we can help you feel quick relief from prior traumas and distresses, eliminate triggers, and move forward feeling lighter and calmer. We'll rebuild coping skills for relief now & prevention later. I'll challenge you (with care), offer accountability, and use your strengths to help you meet your goals. Ideally, we'll also laugh together and connect as humans.

You're struggling now and contacting therapists only to then wait for responses is frustrating. Skip the waiting and take another step toward relief now by scheduling a brief phone consult directly on my website!

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.

Amberly Hamilton

Licensed Professional Counselor

About

Amberly attended the University of North Georgia for her Bachelors Degree, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She continued her education at the University of North Georgia where she received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since graduation, she has worked in the private practice setting continuing to gain experience working with children and parents. Amberly believes that working with the entire family system creates the ideal environment for growth and healing. She is a Registered Play Therapist and utilizes Child Centered Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy, and Attachment based modalities.

Amberly works with children and teens in the following specialty areas:

Anxiety – Perfectionism, Test & Performance Anxiety, Anger, Tics, Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors, Disordered Eating, Trichotillomania
ADHD – Impulsivity, Distractibility, Aggression, and Anxious Thoughts
Athletic Performance – Anxiety, Identity Development, Grief & Loss, Depression, Visualization Skills, Confidence
Autism Spectrum Disorder– Social Skills, Sensory Processing, Anxiety, Bullying, Self-Esteem
Grief – Trauma, Anger, Isolation, Depression, Defiance
Amberly also offers parenting support including concerns such as attachment, communication, parenting strategies, appropriate limit setting, and co-parenting.

Amberly’s heart is to use both her passion and training to help children and teens navigate through life’s many obstacles. Her biggest hope is that they become the best versions of themselves and truly know they are worthy of everything life has to offer them, despite what the world may tell them. When Amberly is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and German Shepherd, watching sports, and staying active.

Amberly is a member of the Association for Play Therapy and also holds a certification in AutPlay.

Amberly attended the University of North Georgia for her Bachelors Degree, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She continued her education at the University of North Georgia where she received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since graduation, she has worked in the private practice setting continuing to gain experience working with children and parents. Amberly believes that working with the entire family system creates the ideal environment for growth and healing. She is a Registered Play Therapist and utilizes Child Centered Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy, and Attachment based modalities.

Amberly works with children and teens in the following specialty areas:

Anxiety – Perfectionism, Test & Performance Anxiety, Anger, Tics, Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors, Disordered Eating, Trichotillomania
ADHD – Impulsivity, Distractibility, Aggression, and Anxious Thoughts
Athletic Performance – Anxiety, Identity Development, Grief & Loss, Depression, Visualization Skills, Confidence
Autism Spectrum Disorder– Social Skills, Sensory Processing, Anxiety, Bullying, Self-Esteem
Grief – Trauma, Anger, Isolation, Depression, Defiance
Amberly also offers parenting support including concerns such as attachment, communication, parenting strategies, appropriate limit setting, and co-parenting.

Amberly’s heart is to use both her passion and training to help children and teens navigate through life’s many obstacles. Her biggest hope is that they become the best versions of themselves and truly know they are worthy of everything life has to offer them, despite what the world may tell them. When Amberly is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and German Shepherd, watching sports, and staying active.

Amberly is a member of the Association for Play Therapy and also holds a certification in AutPlay.

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.”