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.

Emily's passion for mental health began when she was just a child who saw how much counseling helped those in her family. Since then, her passion has only grown for helping others respond to life and its challenges. Emily believes in the importance of building a strong relationship with her clients, understanding how their identities impact their lives, and ensuring that she is always learning and growing as a person and counselor.

From her experiences in an on-campus clinic and a hospital support center, Emily has developed an approach to counseling that combines Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Person Centered Therapy. While everyone has different therapeutic needs, Emily tends to draw mostly from these approaches. Emily's professional interests include grief and loss, anxiety, body image concerns, stress management, and life transitions.

I am licensed as a Professional Counselor in Georgia. I earned a MS degree in Community Counseling in 1989 from Georgia State University, and am certificated in Christian Counseling from Richmont Graduate University. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and have completed EMDRIA-sponsored Basic Training in EMDR to help people with trauma.

As a licensed professional counselor and an experienced inner healing prayer minister, I am passionate about helping people get past difficulties. Others describe me as compassionate, insightful and skilled at getting to the root cause of an issue. I would be honored to help you overcome adversity.

My education has taught me to meet my clients where they are. It's your world, and I am here to assist! In a non-judgmental and confidential atmosphere, your progression is a priority. Working together, we will identify the issues and/or triggers that you may be experiencing. We will also identify strategies and ways to overcome, work through, and move forward from those stumbling blocks. With a listening ear, I will support and encourage as necessary. I aim to push individuals to their fullest potential. Though it may be challenging, I will be with you on your growth journey. Even though loved ones may surround us, sometimes that is not enough, and that's okay! Sometimes, we need to reach out and ask for more support and assistance. That's okay, too! This is why I am here.

My entire work career since graduating has been centered around mental health. I work with adults, older adults, families and couples. While in both my undergraduate and graduate programs, I completed my field placement in Detroit public and charter schools while working with nonprofit agencies in the city. I have experience going into the homes of clients as well as working in an inpatient hospital. 

I specialize in Depressive Disorders, stress, low self-esteem, Anxiety Disorders, coping skills, & more. Specialized to meet your needs, I utilize therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy.

Julia Bauer, LCSW, whole heartily believes therapy should be collaborative and unique to each individual. She offers a warm, empathetic and non-judgmental approach and creates a safe space for clients to heal and feel heard.

Julia provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families, She enjoys working with adults of all ages, and is specifically interested in helping with the LGBTQIA population, anxiety, depression, trauma, women’s issues, infertility, relationship issues, life transitions, and grief. Julia also has a lot of experience with prenatal and postpartum mental health disorders. She is a certified holistic doula and has a special interest in assisting new parents through their transition into parenthood.

In therapy, Julia utilizes a multitude of therapeutic techniques to help clients cope through life’s many challenges and tribulations. She takes a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach to support and assist clients in living a more authentic, whole-hearted life.

Julia earned an MSW from Aurora University. Her experience includes counseling in a variety of settings including residential, inpatient and outpatient hospitals.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist that specializes in working with eating disorders, body image, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I use evidence-based treatments to help with various concerns and provide an empathetic and validating environment. I work hard for my clients and help hold them accountable to their goals. I work with clients starting at 13 years old and older and I am accepting of clients of various different backgrounds. I am currently accepting new clients both in-person and via Telehealth.

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.

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.

You want to keep moving on with your life, but something is in the way. You may feel stuck, unmotivated, depressed, anxious, scared, and so much more. Life can be so challenging, and it isn't fair that you don't get instructions. At GROW, we understand that life can throw some unexpected curveballs that you were never prepared to handle. We want to help equip you with the tools to manage the challenges and wounds life can bring to move towards healing.

Courtney Salter loves helping people move forward. She is passionate about the potential that you have in your life, and works diligently to become a safe place to find and develop the tools within yourself and heal past wounds. Courtney earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Courtney has worked in a psychiatric hospital with a range of disorders in the inpatient and outpatient units. Her experience extends to working with adults, teens, women, trauma, anxiety, addiction, depression, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, boundaries, communication, career, codependency, and relationships.

You are not broken in need of fixing; you may be healing and in need of care. Caring for yourself and your emotional/mental health is often a difficult thing to do. Yet unattended, the wounds and destructive coping mechanisms tear away the chance of healthy relationships, life-giving work, daily functioning, and effective parenting.

As your therapist, Courtney is determined to help you find your place in the healing process. You may wonder if you need counseling or if it will make a difference. Here at GROW, we have seen things get better. We are passionate about the potential that you have in your life. Life happens, but together we can find the next steps forward.