In 1997, I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University where I was trained in the use of Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral therapies with adults and adolescents. My post graduate training includes EMDR and Internal Family Systems therapies. I draw on all of these approaches in my work to help people create happier, more fulfilling lives for themselves and their families.

My therapeutic focus includes transitions in adolescence and adulthood, trauma, navigating divorce and post-divorce relationships, and the anxiety and distress that accompany these experiences. I also help mothers and fathers navigate the difficult job of raising children, from infancy through young adulthood, in all types of family configurations. Together, with compassion, we can understand the origins of your distress, what keeps it present in your life, and what changes need to be made to let it go.

In addition to relying on traditional talk therapies, we can draw upon my non-traditional training. I offer EMDR therapy, a highly effective treatment for trauma that can also be helpful when you feel stuck after trying talk therapy to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. And we can choose to use mindfulness techniques drawing upon my decades of practicing and teaching yoga and meditation.

If you are seeking help with any stage of divorce, my training as a divorce mediator may also be helpful in understanding and navigating the process you are going through.

I am Currently accepting clients in person and telehealth.

It is my goal to help people feeling anxious, sad, having difficulties with fertility or depressed. I want to help you find strength in order to help with symptoms and reach your goals.
I have worked extensively with those suffering from post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, families in foster care, infants and baby bonding. I have a passion to help families and individuals communicate their needs and increase positive communication.
If you need support in understanding your current symptoms, please know that I am here to help and support you. Please feel free to call or email for additional support. I look forward to hearing from you.

I am passionate about working with clients of all ages to holistically support their mental health journey. My goal is to empower and support clients through processing and managing their needs academically, professionally, and personally. I utilize a feminist approach to CBT with elements of mindfulness. I also incorporate art therapy and play therapy into my treatment of adolescent and teen clients.

I seek to be open and inclusive with each client. I want each person to feel welcomed and understood. I am trained in in-depth psychotherapy and enjoy exploring the deeper roots of presenting problems with a goal of practical application of insight. I am a licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist & clinical supervisor with over 25 years of counseling experience.

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!

Courtney is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) who received her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University, and her BA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Courtney has served in a wide range of clinical settings, working on an inpatient unit for trauma and eating disorders, in residential programs for sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and addictions, as well as the private practice setting.

Courtney works primarily with individual women, men, and teens. She specializes in complex trauma, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, PTSD, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, addictions (both substance and process), life transitions, family of origin issues, eating disorders, and co-dependency. Being an artist herself, Courtney also has an affinity for the pressure unique to artists and people whose livelihoods are based on their creative endeavors.

Working from an eclectic perspective enables Courtney to address the unique needs of each client. Courtney thinks holistically and systemically, and in addition to her Somatic Experiencing work, is also trained in EMDR to target specific traumatic events and beliefs. Her approach is compassionate, genuine, and direct.

Courtney’s belief in the resiliency of people and potential for the redemption of brokenness continues to fuel her passion for this work and hope for her clients.

The best place to change and grow is in relationships. I specialize in providing a safe, supportive and collaborative environment for each client who steps into my office. Whether it is through their anxiety, with their significant other or processing spiritual or relational trauma, my goal is connection. When that connection is fostered, I help clients unpack their feelings, process their irrational thoughts and get to the root of their struggles for true change to take place. It’s not about a quick fix but deep processing through a supportive, empathetic environment!

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.

Rachel Hilker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing Telehealth therapy services to clients residing in Virginia. Rachel specializes in providing Gottman Method Couple Therapy to married and premarital clients and trauma-informed individual therapy for women.