I have been a practicing therapist since graduating from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta Georgia since 2013. I work with individuals as well as couples in a private practice setting based out of a local church in Douglasville, Ga. As a therapist I have experience working with with Anxiety, Depression, Co-dependence, Relational difficulties. I also do Pre-marital using Prepare-Enrich as well as Marriage Counseling. I love my work and I consider it a privilege to walk along side those who are willing to come sit and share with me.

After years in another career, I chose to retrain for helping others through mental health challenges. Trauma counseling and marriage and family therapy were areas of focus for me. Life experience, good training, and expert supervision combine to enable me to be effective with a wide range of mental health concerns. My clinical experience includes working a year with men in substance addictions and their families.

How do I view mental health? We are all impacted by the systems of which we are a part (family, friends, work, neighborhood, etc.). Trauma can have a long-lasting impact on our lives. We are all spiritual beings, regardless of which faith system we endorse. Everyone's struggles make sense and are a produce of what happened to them and the choices they made.

Your mental health challenges probably impact every area of your life. Let me help you make sense of them and find ways to flourish in life. I am accepting new clients (individuals, couples, and families) for in-person and virtual sessions.

Children and young adults have such unique issues to navigate in today’s world. As a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, I want to create a space for children and young adults to process where they are no matter what that looks like. As a therapist, I specialize in working with clients that struggle with anxiety, depression, life changes and adjustment to different phases and stages of life. Young people are constantly growing and changing. I work with clients to process their growing pains through self-expression.

As a former school counselor, I have a heart for helping young people overcome challenges and realize their strengths. Expressive arts and creativity are often at the core of our sessions. Whether that is writing, drawing, or other forms of art, we can use those skills to help you process and externalize even the most challenging emotions. My biggest goal is for you to be able to utilize your passions in the healing process. Ultimately, therapy is a brave space where I guide you in taking ownership of your story and experiences. It would be an honor to start that journey with you!

When I am not with clients, I spend my time supporting my alma mater, the University of Georgia! Go dawgs!!

Salima received her Bachelors degree from Georgia State University in Early Childhood Education. While teaching, she recognized the importance of mental health for both the child and the family. She wanted to transition to a career where she would have the opportunity to focus on the mental health of others. She obtained her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. During her program, Salima spent time at Manna Treatment, where she gained experience working with eating disorders in the PHP and IOP programs. She also had the opportunity to work with children, teens, and adults for various issues such as divorce, depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health concerns.

In addition to her internship experience, Salima also worked for Kate’s Club, where she lead grief groups for school-aged children who recently lost a family member or loved one. Salima enjoys seeing her clients progress and meet their personal goals and works with them to help foster mentally and emotionally healthy lives.

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!

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I earned a Master of Arts in professional counseling, with a concentration in trauma counseling, from Richmont Graduate University (formerly Psychological Studies Institute). Additionally I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). My expertise includes trauma, a variety of mood disorders, grief, depression, anxiety, faith-based issues, relationship difficulties, and transitions. I am passionate about equipping my clients to live happier, healthier lives. This is accomplished by listening to each individual’s unique story, creating a plan to address concerns, and walking alongside the client throughout the process. Together we can address thought processes or behaviors that pose obstacles to wellbeing, equipping you for successful problem solving strategies, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

Do you feel a persistent sense of unease? Exhausted from the pressures of life? Frustrated with how your past is impacting you? Overwhelmed by the thought of starting therapy? Often our struggles alone feel unbearable, and the idea of addressing them only adds more stress. But you can get to where you'd like to be. It just takes learning to endure the discomfort of the growth and healing process. I am dedicated to helping you walk through the discomfort —to gain self insight, to make changes in your life, to feel more at ease, and attain your goals.

I am in network with Regence and Premera.

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!

Telemental Health
Serving clients with Trauma, Complex Trauma, PTSD, Bipolar D/O, Anxiety, Depression and Gender issues

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor providing quality online telehealth services for adult residents of Florida, Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts & Georgia. If you feel alone in what you are going through or stuck in the same toxic cycle of negative emotions and behaviors, I can help! Since the start of my career in 2006 I have worked with victims of trauma and abuse, individuals in recovery, women, and high- level executives. My clients come to therapy seeking relief from persistent depression, anxiety, the residual impacts of trauma, low self-esteem, career stress, and the general life stress of living through a pandemic.

My approach to working with clients is genuine, down to earth, practical, and always informed by evidence-based practices. The therapy hour quickly becomes a time when clients can share their deepest fears and concerns without fear of judgment. Clients walk away with practical techniques specific to their personal goals.

Life's demands don't stop when there is a pandemic, or we experience a crisis or loss. It can be easy to neglect our own mental wellness, feel disconnected, become overwhelmed or feel trapped by our circumstances. You deserve to be seen. To live a life that is intentional, inspired, and peaceful. Seeking counseling is a brave step in the right direction.