Therapists in Sandy Springs, GA

As you are considering scheduling an appointment, I would like to provide you with basic information about me and my practice. I am a Latina immigrant, a native Spanish speaker, and a naturalized United States Citizen since 1987. After learning English, I graduated from The University of Georgia, undergraduate and graduate school, with the highest academic honors. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of education and practical experience which are the foundation of my clinical practice.

Welcome! I work with individuals, families, and couples to help them find new ways to look at their lives and new ways to manage difficult emotions. For more than twenty years, I've been working with children, adults, and families and have worked as an ADHD coach and as a special education advocate. I have also been a program director overseeing eating disorder clinics with clients who had primary eating disorders as well as ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, attachment disorders, and borderline personality disorder, among others.

Learning to manage life can be a challenge. When complicated by life transitions, performance pressures, chronic health conditions, mental health diagnoses, or a host of other unforeseen obstacles, it is important to seek guidance. I have shared this journey with individuals & families for over 22 years. My clinical training, the use of research supported treatments, such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), & Sports Counseling have allowed me to successfully work with individuals of all ages (children, teens, adults, & geriatrics), athletes, & business professionals who are confronted with a variety of concerns.

My ideal client is someone who is seeking a safe space to land where they can feel comforted, affirmed, and valued. I know your journey has been unique and nuanced, and I would love to become your trusted ally in healing as you learn how to construct a life you can truly enjoy. I look forward to helping you discover your personal values and beliefs so you are able to make more authentic and meaningful choices as you move forward with purpose and confidence. Together, we can work to cultivate a space within you where you can feel truly loved exactly as you are. Your vulnerability will never be taken for granted in the therapy room!

My ideal client is struggling with childhood shadows induced by family dysfunction, trauma, alcoholism, perfection tendencies and an overwhelming need for approval & control which interrupts their growth; replicates toxic patterns and undermines self-esteem. My training will be helpful in connecting the dots while promoting healthy responses to life challenges. A plethora of tools is used to enhance your capacity to realize your potential so that you can live the best version of yourself while demarcating the distinction between your history and your destiny. Betrayed and needing to heal from an affair or prevent one; come see me.

Beginning therapy can be overwhelming and I aim to make the process feel authentic and comfortable. I welcome adult and adolescent clients, their families and significant others who are motivated to learn about themselves, improve their relationships and transform their lives. I am fat-positive and use a Health At Every Size (HAES) approach, am welcoming to all gender and sexual identities, races, religions, and cultural backgrounds and am an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. I work with clients going through a wide range of difficulties including addiction, grief/loss, eating disorders, negative body image and relationship problems.

I am fascinated by the human experience, and our ability to endure. Deep healing can begin when we have a safe place to tell our story, to be heard regardless of how our journey has unfolded. I aim to create a place where we won't get interrupted, where someone won't try to "fix" us, to empathize, and to affirm our reality. I find people make their most significant strides in their journey when they allow themselves to maneuver into seeing alternatives and redefine themselves, with a growing confidence in who they have now become.

Melinda’s person-centered approach to trauma recovery honors the strength and resilience of survivors. She views her clients as experts of their experiences and believes in the body’s natural capacity to heal from trauma & stress-related conditions. She uses approaches including EMDR and clinical hypnosis to ensure her clients remain present and grounded throughout the therapeutic session. Traumatic memory is painlessly reprocessed and stored in the “done file.” Negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotions are eliminated since they are no longer necessary for survival. What remains is increased presence, self-compassion and growth.

“Is past trauma taking over your life? Are you feeling stuck and overwhelmed by intense levels of distress?" Within 2–7 sessions, negative images, sensations and symptoms can be reduced allowing you to obtain immediate relief from the silent suffering you’ve been enduring. You’ll be treated professionally with compassion and empathy on your journey to wellbeing. I also specialize in working with Addiction and am the Clinical Director for Emerge Healing Center, a substance abuse and trauma focused intensive outpatient program. At the center of my specialities, I focus on working with couples and use a Gottman and EFT approach.

I believe in creating a nurturing, trustworthy environment to enhance my ability to truly see and hear my clients. My goal is to provide a judgment-free and safe space for my clients to openly share their troubles while connecting on a deeper level to evoke positive change in their circumstances. My approach to therapy is strength-based and client-centered. I strive to meet my client’s where they are and help support them in their therapeutic journey.

I am a warm and compassionate mental health professional with over 25 years of experience. I work to create a safe relationship as you seek healing and insight. If you are struggling with mental health or interpersonal problems but find it difficult to speak with a therapist, I am here for you.

Trauma leaves us feeling disoriented, hopeless and disconnected from ourselves and others. You’re someone who deeply desires to feel safe and connected with yourself and others but still find yourself ruled by trauma, feeling out of control of your emotions and reactions, and feeling shame that you can’t “get it together.” . You have an idea of how you want to show up in your relationships and life but have no idea how to get there . But you’re ready to make a change. You’re ready to no longer give trauma the final say. You’re ready to feel more grounded and safe and therefore live the life you want to live.

I am a therapist in Atlanta, GA with over 5 years of experience in many different settings! I have been lucky enough to receive training in a wide variety of areas and specialties through my time working at hospitals, hospice, as well as therapy and coaching programs, where I worked with patients of all ages, backgrounds and diagnoses. I believe that each and every one of us have the answers we seek within us. I look forward to helping you explore yourself and being on your journey of healing with you, so you are able to bring out the best version of yourself and live your healthiest and happiest reality!

We are dedicated to the wellbeing of individuals, couples & families. We are a team of highly trained and experienced therapists. We know how tender of a time it can be when an individual is seeking out therapy, as a result we treat every client with the utmost compassion. Here, you can find a therapist for yourself, a couples counselor for your relationship or participate in family counseling. We are able to cross-consult and it maximizes the value of your therapy as we approach your well-being with a holistic viewpoint. We understand we are a product of our environment, so we work to connect the dots alongside you in therapy.

With nearly 30 years of experience, I firmly believe that the client is the most powerful force in their own lives. With a confidential and accepting environment, I aspire to aid individuals on their journey of self-growth and always guide them in the direction of "True North". I desire to assist them in addressing the feelings and problems that often seem out of their control. I am also highly experienced in coaching couples and families to communicate with one another by addressing difficult issues, and help them reconnect in a healthy and more meaningful way.

I appreciate you taking the time to research me and explore whether we could be a good fit for each other. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and I would be honored to collaborate with you and help you along your journey. I have a passion for relationships; while we don't choose our family, they often play a significant role in our lives. So, whether you are coming alone, or you prefer to come with your significant other or family members, I believe growth and healing are possible for every person and every relationship.

I have openings for day time appointments during the week days. I work with teens and adults to treat anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. I am a Brainspotting and neuro-science focused Therapist. Brainspotting looks different than typical talk therapy. It is a relational, brain-body, and mindfulness-based practice.

My purpose is to create a safe nonjudgemental space for people that struggle with sadness or depression, and or feel overwhelmed with stress or anxiety. I am a combat veteran and understand the challenges associated with readjustment to civilian life, and the lasting impact combat can have on an individual and family.