Michael received his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University, as well as certificates in Marriage & Family Therapy and Trauma Counseling. Michael has also pursued additional relationally-focused training through the highly regarded Gottman Institute and is a certified facilitator of Prepare/Enrich relationship assessments.

Michael works with adolescents, adults, and couples to address a wide range of needs including: anxiety, depression, life adjustment, suicidal thoughts, spiritual development, sexual identity, relationship communication, conflict resolution, pre-marital education, and family systems under duress. He seeks to create a safe and collaborative space for clients to move towards hope and healing. Michael’s approach to the therapeutic process is best expressed by the Jon Kabat-Zinn quote, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

Before his career in counseling, Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Kennesaw State University and spent several years working for Apple Inc. as a manager and trainer. Throughout high school and college, Michael worked as a martial arts instructor, a pursuit that he credits with cultivating both an appreciation for mindfulness and fostering his continued enthusiasm for physical fitness.

Samantha earned her Master of Health Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Catawba College. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor through the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (#17770) and a Licensed Professional Counselor through the SC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (#10262). Samantha is also a Certified Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Provider, a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Professional, and a Registered Child Forensic Interviewer. Additionally, Samantha is trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing.

Samantha has had the opportunity to work with patients with a variety of mental health concerns in school-based, college mental health, and outpatient settings. Her clinical focus is on severe and persistent mental health concerns, with a concentration on mood disorders. Samantha utilizes an integrative approach, combining Cognitive Behavioral, Interpersonal, and Psychoanalytic techniques. Therefore, during sessions, she commonly assists in identifying and challenging self-limiting patterns, healing from past experiences, and gaining insight into how the unconscious influences behavior. Her research interests include the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system, the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, and genetic links between schizophrenia and associated comorbid conditions.

My approach to therapy is to compassionately keep it real. I believe in working as equal partners you are the expert in your own life and experiences, and I bring expertise in the science of change. With over 20 years of experience, I specialize in addressing stress, anxiety, depression, attention challenges, and the ways these concerns can manifest physically in the body.

Using evidence-based approaches like motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and elements of dialectical behavioral therapy, I create a collaborative space where meaningful growth and healing can happen. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges and work toward positive change.

Are you a woman feeling stressed out, exhausted, and over committed? Are you worn out from trying to be perfect? Feel like you're at a breaking point and things have to change, but aren't sure where to even start? That's where I come in.

I have a passion for helping women, so that's all I do! My clients struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, life adjustments, or feel lost about who they are. I've walked beside thousands of women as they've reached their goals over my 20+ years as a counselor and coach.

If you're serious about making a change, I invite you to schedule a complimentary 30 minute phone call with me so we can make sure we're a good fit for one another - don't waste your time hoping to find the right counselor. Be sure! Call me today!

As a licensed clinical psychologist with experience both in general mental health and behavioral medicine, I offer a variety of services to individuals aged 18 and older. My specialty is in providing behavioral health services to promote positive lifestyle changes and improved quality of life. In journeying with patients toward health and well-being, I take into consideration biological, psychological, and social bases of health and disease. I value the opportunity to come alongside others in their pursuit of personal growth, insight, and change.

I draw from a variety of empirically based treatment modalities—tailoring my therapeutic approach to meet the needs of each of my patients. I also try to identify and address underlying factors that may be contributing to the more surface level problem(s), such as poor sleep, overbreathing, and/or nutritional deficiencies--making referrals to other medical professionals when indicated.

While some concerns benefit from getting to the root cause, I also work with my patients to address problematic thoughts and beliefs, clarify values, set goals, become more accepting, stay in the present moment, and improve problem solving skills. More important than any therapy approach, however, is the therapeutic relationship I strive to cultivate.

In addition to operating from a biopsychosocial lens, I am attuned to the spiritual needs of my patients. Although I work with individuals from any religious/non-religious or cultural background, I specialize in Christian integration—incorporating a Biblical perspective when requested. I also have an interest in integrating psychology and technology and promote the use of mental health mobile apps.

I have a passion to work with adolescents (13+) and adults on an individual basis who are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and identity development, life transitions, spirituality. I also have a desire to help individuals who have experienced infidelity and sexual betrayal heal from their experiences. First and foremost, my goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can begin your journey of healing, progress, and growth. I am practicing under the direction of Melanie Gulley and the supervision of DeVon Mills, PhD, LPC, ACS at Compassion Cove Counseling.

Mindy Pierce is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice with GROW Counseling. She received her MA in Counseling Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University and her BA from Asbury University.

Her clinical experience includes working with men’s and women’s issues; various relationship issues; pornography and infidelity; substance and process addictions; depression; anxiety; grief; PTSD; personality disorders; parenting stress; survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, complex trauma, secondary trauma, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking; and those providing services for survivors (first responders, attorneys, therapists, and case workers). She is also trained and experienced in EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing).

Mindy has led short-term teams and/or facilitated counseling seminars in Mexico, Uganda, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka. She and her husband spent 18 months living in Sri Lanka and working for a post-tsunami recovery project, where she began her involvement in anti-human trafficking work. Upon returning to the United States, she has worked in a private, residential setting and as a therapist in private practice.

A strong commitment to supporting first responders grew from experiences related to her husband’s years spent in law enforcement. Mindy possesses a deep appreciation for the unique challenges faced by those working on the front lines of law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency medical services – understanding the risk of secondary traumatization, addiction, burnout, isolation, and distress in personal relationships.

In 2016, after 14 years of witnessing the restorative impact of healthy, life-giving relationships and the traumatic impact of brokenness around issues related to connection, sex and intimacy, Mindy created STRONGERconnection|cards™, a conversation tool designed for proactively building relationships and preventing disconnection. You can learn more at STRONGERconnectioncards.com.

She and her husband live in the Atlanta area and have three children.

As a therapist, Michelle is committed to supporting her clients as they identify the changes they would like to make. With your personal goals in mind, she will work with you to discover the best positive solutions to the challenges you are facing. Michelle believes that counseling is not just about talking out problems and crisis issues, but about building self-confidence, resilience, and meaning.

Do you experience the feeling of loneliness, sadness, or fear of the future? Do these feelings affect your ability to do the things you normally enjoy? Helping people live a life that they love is my passion. Learning how to work through difficult relationships, grief, setting boundaries, or going through a life transition. My goal is to help you learn how to work through these issues and live the life you've been longing for. I offer a welcoming space with in-person and virtual appointments to suit your schedule.

Caroline received her BA in psychology from Cornell University and her MA with academic distinction in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University. She is currently a registered mental health counseling intern with the state of Florida, working under the supervision of Sarah Watt, LMHC. Prior to pursuing the counseling field, she spent ten years in the northeast building experience in the culinary, nonprofit, and business worlds. This gave her invaluable perspective that she could not have gotten had she entered the counseling field right away. At the end of 2019, she felt called back to the area of mental health and to her hometown of Ocala, FL where she lives with her daughter. She has experienced the positive impact of quality counseling in her own life, and strives to provide this for each of her clients. She is passionate about the power of the therapeutic relationship and the growth that can occur when we nurture our minds.