Therapists for college students near Georgia State University

I am so honored you found yourself here. I believe therapy works best when you feel deeply understood—not analyzed or rushed. Before I’m a therapist, I’m a human who values gentleness, curiosity, and compassion. It’s truly a privilege to sit with folks as they share their stories, their pain, and hopes for something different. I have a special passion for working with neurodivergent (or “neurospicy”) humans and those whose nervous systems have been shaped by trauma. Therapy with me moves at a pace that honors your body, your boundaries, and your unique way of being in the world. There’s no pressure to perform or “fix” yourself. My work is grounded in experiential and somatic approaches, meaning we don’t just talk about what’s happening—we gently explore how your experiences live in your body, emotions, and relationships. This can be especially powerful for healing complex trauma, navigating chronic pain and reconnecting with parts of yourself that may have learned to stay guarded. If you desire to connect with a therapist that cultivates a safe space for you to explore healing without judgement and approaches your experiences with curiosity and empathy I invite you to this space. As a fellow neurodivergent, chronically ill, queer woman - I understand how exhausting life can be. Let us explore what living authentically means for you.

As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) at Mindset Psychology, I am committed to helping individuals navigate through difficult emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve self-esteem, and make meaningful changes in their lives. Many of the individuals I work with feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or are struggling with the various challenges of navigating college life. I strongly believe in a collaborative therapeutic process between therapist and client, where I work alongside my clients to build resiliency, explore challenges, and identify strengths and strategies to overcome obstacles.

A licensed psychologist, I received both my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and my M.S. in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University. When faced with difficult situations, we often feel discouraged. I believe that a safe, supportive environment is key to growth, and I offer plenty of encouragement. I help clients gain perspective through empathic exploration. We’re all doing the best we can in life, but sometimes we get in our own way. As much as I’m comfortable with deep emotions, I also believe in the importance of bringing laughter and humor into the room!

I specialize in working with college and graduate students, young professionals, and couples, empowering them to develop skills to manage anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and explore their self-identity. I also work with first generation and children of immigrants and am committed to maintaining a culturally-informed practice that honors the different ways that people experience and think of their identity. Navigating the complexities of life can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with things like anxiety, relationship issues, and major life transitions. Maybe you're struggling with the pressure of classes, or with adjusting to your new environment and building relationships. Or you might feel like you’re always anxious about getting things right or not knowing what's going to happen, and worry is becoming exhausting. Perhaps you're at a point where you want to learn more about the impact of your cultural background on your identity and explore the experiences you've had. Going to therapy can be a courageous step towards personal growth and self-reflection to develop the tools needed to manage symptoms and align ourselves more with our goals. Whether you're navigating major life transitions, managing work-related stress, or facing challenges in your relationships, my practice provides a supportive space to help you build resilience. By incorporating evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with compassion and mindfulness focused models, I provide a non-judgemental and empathetic environment in my work with clients. For couples therapy, I utilize the Gottman method to help couples improve their relationships. I am licensed in the state of Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC015213). I earned my M.S. in Counseling with an emphasis on Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. in Psychology, English, & Classical Studies from Emory University. I provide both in-person and virtual sessions to make therapy accessible and convenient for clients in the Decatur area and beyond. Whenever you’re ready to take a step towards therapy, I would be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have about the therapeutic process over an initial consultation. Please visit the link below to schedule a free consultation.

EMDR available for trauma processing and resolution, nature sessions available, in-person or virtual. I love working with individuals who need a compassionate space to explore childhood/relationship issues, shame, religious trauma, grief and loss and the challenges ofss being a human right now on this planet!! I offer free phone consults to see if I could be a good fit for what you need. Often with safe support our innate potential for healing kicks in.

As a therapist, I work with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and significant life transitions. Having particular insight into dysfunctional family systems, I offer compassionate support for those navigating complex family-of-origin experiences. At the heart of my practice is the belief that everyone possesses the capacity to heal and grow. I create a therapeutic environment characterized by compassion and curiosity, providing a safe space for clients to explore experiences, discover strengths, and move toward meaningful change. I specialize in working with clients who want to heal from the experience of growing up in addicted or dysfunctional family systems. By examining childhood trauma and generational patterns, we will work to foster the emotional growth, improved relationships, and freedom from codependency that emerge when we rediscover our authentic selves and live in alignment with our personal integrity. I also worked in student affairs/higher education administration for 13 years and have extensive experience supporting young adults through the various challenges of adjusting to, navigating, and transitioning to life after college and graduate school.

**Practice Introduction** Ellie Vinings is a behavioral health practice dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care in a welcoming and supportive environment. The practice serves a diverse client population, including children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Clinicians work with individuals experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, and other emotional or behavioral difficulties. Through personalized treatment plans and a collaborative approach, Ellie Vinings strives to help clients build resilience, improve well-being, and achieve their personal goals.

I am an integrative, humanistic therapist who draws from many approaches to best serve my clients. I place an emphasis on creating a secure therapeutic relationship to foster a sense of safety and openness for clients. As we go through life, we develop habits and coping strategies to protect ourselves. I respect these coping mechanisms for the important role they play in helping us navigate the challenges of life. However, sometimes the very strategies that once helped us can become limiting or harmful. My goal is to support my clients in letting go of those old patterns and in discovering healthier, more effective ways to move forward. My work is rooted in empathy and the deep respect I have for each individual’s unique perspectives and life experiences. Humans are resilient beings, and I hope to help you bring awareness to the resilience within you.

I address anxiety stemming from social, school, and family dynamics, providing the necessary support to navigate these changes. I assist in the transition from college to career, including complexities in dating, family, and work, offering a safe space to explore self-identity and achieve life goals. We will collaborate using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy. What does this mean? It means we will identify the false scripts keeping you stuck and create a new storyline where you are the main character shaping your life. In my space, every uncomfortable feeling is accepted, and every question is worth asking. Whether you’ve never sought counseling before or have been in therapy for years, I believe my approach is unique. My goal is to empower you and watch you succeed. So, let's connect and collaboratively rewrite your narrative.

We work best with patients who are looking for personalized, attentive psychiatric care. Our providers combine careful medication management with brief psychotherapy, taking time at every visit to connect with you as a whole person. We don't believe in overmedicating. We believe in listening, asking the right questions, and finding the simplest, most effective path to you feeling well.

My name is Katie Herzer, LCSW and I offer therapy services out of East Atlanta Counseling located in Decatur. I work with clients who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, life changes, relationship difficulties and who are trying to navigate the new world of adulthood. I work with clients to help them better understand and manage their emotions. Everyone is going through something. I will provide a safe space to talk about what you are currently going through and equip you with tools to help you navigate life's inevitable stressors.

I work with adolescents (12+) and young adult women who are struggling with perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-esteem challenges, anxiety, and relational difficulties. They are often adjusting to major life transitions such as relationship changes, switching schools, and/or changing jobs. Together, we will explore how these experiences impact your sense of self and help you build confidence, set boundaries, and find balance in the midst of change. I offer a trauma-informed, person-centered approach using evidence-based methods like CBT, gestalt, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. I am trained in Trauma Focused-CBT at the Medical University of South Carolina. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can feel truly heard and understood. Getting started with therapy can feel like a big step and that’s totally normal. But reaching out is also a really brave move. Whether you’re ready to dive in or just exploring the idea, feel free to reach out. I’d be honored to support you and walk alongside you in whatever you're going through. You matter. You’re not in this alone.

I welcome clients 20+ with life issues including anxiety, life transitions, self-compassion practice, family/relationship/boundary issues, self-esteem, stress of parenthood. If you feel burnt out, like you are doing too much, and that saying "no" feels overwhelming to consider, I might be a good fit for you. In addition to psychotherapy, I received training in Mindfulness and Meditation which helps with anxiety, emotional awareness, and self-compassion. I also use DBT skills training because I find that some behavioral work can be useful depending on each client's therapeutic process. I look forward to joining you in your journey when you are ready.

Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, general sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction? Are you and your partner not getting along as well as you would like? Are you having problems with alcohol or other substances? If so, let's set up some counseling for you to help decrease the negative and increase the positive in your life. My approach is empathetic and caring and of a cognitive behavioral orientation. I will help you identify and develop the skills and insights you need to experience success over your problems and to have more satisfaction in your life and relationships.

I love working with clients who are open to utilizing mindfulness to help them to respond more effectively to difficult thoughts and feelings in order to live out their most important values and create the life they desire. I practice both ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). I also enjoy working with clients who want to work through spiritual/religious concerns and or utilize their spirituality/faith to help them on their journey.

You've worked so hard to get where you are. Hours and hours in the library, in the gym, in the practice studio. You care about excellence. But all that pressure you put on yourself, wanting to be perfect and for everyone to love you? It's wearing you out. Stress, anxiety, constant thoughts zooming through your head. I'm glad you're here, and I hope I can help. I've been helping people just like you for almost two decades. People who have been super successful but also super stressed, anxious and sad. I am committed to treating the whole you, which means that an important step to feeling better is to look at all the parts of your life (physical health, relationships, work, self-care) and how those parts of your life are affecting how you feel and how you act. When you feel well emotionally, physically, and socially; your quality of life can genuinely improve. I hope to work with any of you who feel "stuck" in your lives; who are struggling with anxiety, stress, perfectionism, or body image. I have a particular specialization in working with athletes of all levels; professional, collegiate, and recreational. As a former collegiate volleyball and softball player, I understand that athletic performance incorporates so much more than physical training. I work with athletes who are struggling with anxiety, confidence, focus, or team dynamics. Additionally, I see athletes after they have experienced some major event in their athletic lives; such as acute and chronic injuries, pain, illness, or physical changes with aging. Athletes also struggle frequently with eating concerns and body image. Therapy is teamwork--we will develop a plan and goals that work for you to live your healthiest life!

A therapy space for Black women (LGBTQ allied) who have been feeling a heaviness and burdened by the traumas and the difficult challenges of just being a human being on this society. These women are educated, career driven and leaders of their families but, there is a heaviness that they cannot escape. In this place you are seen and heard without judgement. All parts of you are welcomed, even the parts you do not particularly like. In this space you can tell your story and begin to be in touch with the “self”, you. You will being to trust again or for the first time. You will learn that this part of you was there all of the time.

I appreciate that reaching out for help is not always easy. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe in expressing your feelings and fears, hopes and desires; and to help you obtain a sense of control over your life. Changes can result in unexpected and often unwelcome transitions that can provoke anxiety. This can impact relationship difficulties and other aspects of life. With a gentle and sensitive approach, I help you to feel supported and skillfully guided to manage and reduce anxiety, access hidden strengths and potential and develop new skills for living a more balanced and possibly joyous life.

My goal in counseling is to help you find freedom from areas in life where you feel stuck. I desire to meet you exactly where you are, help you understand and identify your strengths, and learn how the things you have been through have impacted you. I utilize trauma informed approaches such as EMDR and internal family systems to help my clients heal from past wounds. I enjoy working with individuals who have had past trauma, anxiety, depression, or are struggling with life transitions.

My goal as a therapist is to create room for reflection, healing, and building coping skills so you can embrace the vibrant life you want. I want to foster a sense of peace in the midst of struggle and instill hope that things can get better. My hopes for you during the counseling process are that you feel heard and seen, begin to see things in a new way, get moving where you feel stuck, and discover strengths you didn’t know you had. I especially love working with college students as they navigate life and career transitions, balance their academic and social commitments, and develop their unique identity. If you feel that we would be a good fit, please feel free to contact me at Joy@eastatlantacounseling.com or (404) 491-0449. Joy is supervised by Cat Moon, LCSW.