I’m Liz Fava, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Atlanta, GA. My passion is for seeing individuals and couples establish and restore healthy relationships, and helping people live their lives to the fullest.

I do that through a variety of approaches. I’m holistic, looking at all aspects of your life: mind, body and spirit. I’m trained in the Gottman Method for working with couples, an approach that is research driven and scientifically based for how to make relationships work. I utilize Prepare-Enrich for premarital counseling, and use Brainspotting for anxiety and trauma.

Another thing you need to know about me?

I truly believe your life and your relationships can get better! It will take work, and some time, but it ABSOLUTELY is possible, and I’m here to help you make that happen.

It’s important to elevate all voices and stories, especially ones that haven’t felt heard before. As a minority identifying therapist and child of immigrants, my lived experiences help me connect with my clients on a deeper level. I strive to create a safe healing space for my clients. I provide therapy to individuals, age 12 and up. I have a special interest in teens, college students, adults of all ages, BIPOC individuals, those from marginalized groups, and first generation and immigrant individuals. I also have specialty training and expertise in developmental trauma, particularly with adoptees and adoptive parents.
I’m passionate about empowering my clients to overcome and work through their struggles with trauma, life stressors and transitions, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem, mood instability, interpersonal relationships, parenting and attachment difficulties. I find using creative and hands-on techniques to be very helpful during sessions.
You desire to feel like you’re flourishing rather than just getting by. There’s power in vulnerability. We can work together on finding those barriers, processing uncomfortable feelings and experiences and building self-regulatory skills to thrive. Let’s chat to see if we’re a good fit! Thank you for prioritizing yourself or your loved one(s).

Are you stressed? Are you finding it hard to navigate what life is bringing you? Are your relationships suffering? If you responded “yes” to any of these questions, I would love to help you! Stress, anxiety, depression, and a host of other troubles can be a challenging yet normal part of life. Handling these issues on your own can make them seem impossible. You do not have to go it alone when counseling is available. I offer culturally competent counseling in a safe environment. I use multiple therapeutic modalities and intervention strategies to help you attain wellness in the face of negative societal stressors. My work is also informed by my Ph.D. in Communication Studies and over two decades as a professor/scholar. Life can be a challenge! I want to help you gain more balance and harmony. You are too valuable to suffer in silence. Call or email to request a FREE Phone Consultation today! Together, let’s work to create the joyous life you deserve.

Melissa Murphy, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, C-DBT, is a seasoned therapist and clinical director at Bethesda Therapy, licensed in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD, she employs ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), recognized as leading treatments for OCD. Melissa's expertise extends to managing mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain disorders. Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based, focusing on developing personalized strategies for each client.

As a Gottman-trained couples therapist, Melissa is adept at addressing the complexities of relationships affected by ADHD and OCD. She also treats Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) and finds profound fulfillment in supporting therapists and those in helping professions. Her work is underpinned by advanced training in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

My mode for counseling stems from the desire to find the place of compassion within everyone’s story. We are all broken people in need of healing, but often our own judgements of ourselves prevents us from seeing the places we need love and insight. Therapy offers a safe space to process emotions and thoughts. Here, we are all able to uncover the root cause for the issues in our lives.
I work from a trauma-informed perspective, working through current issues and the deeper beliefs, thoughts and emotions that influence our choices. I specialize in boundary work, anxiety, depression, relationships, life transition, death and grief, spirituality issues, substance use, adjustment to change and changing cultures. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and approach counseling from a multicultural perspective. I also provide counseling with christian values and provide counseling without based on client’s preference and value system. I look forward to meeting you!

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!!

I offer guidance through the wilderness of depression and anxiety, support in life‘s crucial decisions, deep inner listening, companionship in the life of the Spirit, help in the formation of relationships between other people and God, a sacred space for connecting with your true Self, the therapeutic gift of love, a journey into wholeness.

Feeling anxious, stuck, or just in need of someone to talk to? You’re not alone. Deciding to find a counselor is an amazing and powerful first step. Let me help you with the rest. Each session with me is specific to who you are and what you need. I find joy in helping my clients discover who they are and achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

Hi! I'm Kearsten and I am so glad you have landed on my page. I care deeply about each of my clients flourishing. At times, experiences with life can keep us from that- maybe it's anxiety, complicated family dynamics, or life just simply not looking the way you would hoped it would. While therapy with me (or anyone) does not immediately take the pain away, I am here to help you navigate it, finding healing and joy along the way.

My approach with clients is one of compassion and collaboration. I will work as hard as you, helping you cultivate the change you wish to see, all from a place of empathy, authenticity, and hope.