My formal education focused on psychology and clinical social work. My professional experiences have been in public schools, hospitals and outpatient clinics, the Military, international nonprofits, universities and various community settings. I currently have a private practice with offices in Napa, in addition to my virtual office, where I provide "teletherapy" to clients in both California and Texas.
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My therapy training began in public schools with special education, K-12. I counseled children with mental health concerns and led life skills groups. I worked intensively with adolescents (and their caregivers) in alternative school programs burdened by emotional concerns.
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I spent most of the next decade working in hospitals, both pediatric and adult, assessing and responding to a variety of issues including devastating diagnoses, chronic health conditions, end of life issues, infertility and pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and mental health crises. During this time, I taught and supervised students for the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Social Work. After ten years, I shifted out of the hospital setting to therapist lead of an integrated behavioral healthcare network where I helped build a program for providing mental health and case management to a pediatric and family medical practice serving 30,000 low income families.
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An opportunity led me to England for two years, where I managed a prevention and education campaign related to new parent support and family violence prevention. I educated US Air Force members and families on topics such as stress and anger management, PTSD, resilience, healthy dating, couple's communication and parenting, while co-facilitating support groups on chronic medical conditions. During this time, I also worked with Airmen and families on managing stress before and after deployments and transitioning to civilian life after a military career.
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After a brief return to the U.S. to study Spanish at the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, I moved to South America and worked for the U.S. Embassy while volunteering with a Chilean nonprofit. During this time, I researched advances in counseling and coaching methodology. Although I have a working knowledge of Spanish, I do not provide services in Spanish at this time.
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In 2014, I relocated to Napa, pregnant again after experiencing pregnancy loss. After treating parents for postpartum depression and anxiety, I experienced it first-hand and became aware of a need for expanded maternal mental health support in my community. So I added services to my private practice that would address infertility, pregnancy and postpartum mental health support, Moxie Motherhood, and co-founded a pregnant and postpartum peer support program.
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For almost two decades, I have honed my clinical expertise from problem-focused to possibility-focused. I remain current on research and active in the professional dialogue of wellness, balancing my time between counseling, coaching, teaching, volunteering and parenting. Read more here.
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I welcome the opportunity to support you.

Dr. Bilka tailors her therapeutic approach to fit each client’s unique needs. She integrates several therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, EMDR and relational techniques to provide comprehensive and dynamic treatment. Dr. Bilka’s clinical interests include gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/questioning issues, adolescent and adult life transitions, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse. She specializes in treating teenagers and young adults dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. Dr. Bilka is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been proven highly effective for the treatment of trauma as well as with many other issues. She incorporates warmth, empathy, humor and insight-oriented methods into her practice. Dr. Bilka views the therapeutic process as a collaborative one in which the therapist offers understanding and support, providing the client with the space to develop a deeper understanding of his or her self and the courage to work toward change.

"When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending." -Brené Brown.

Believing these words, I create a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate space for adult individuals, couples and families to own and process their stories, while finding meaning, healing and growth. We are dynamic people, capable of change and restoration, and it is an honor to facilitate and walk with a person through this process. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, addiction, chronic illness, marital concerns, trauma, anger management, international adjustments and transitions, infertility and adoption.

In my therapeutic approach, emotional honesty is key in owning our stories and in being able to verbalize the impact of our family histories. Learning to accept how we feel helps us own our failures and mistakes. As your therapist, I will hold space, empowering you to make courageous decisions towards hope/healing/change.

I attended Taylor University in Indiana where I received my BA in Psychology and International Studies, after which I received my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA. I grew up in North Africa and Western Europe in a multi-cultural family.

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.

You want to keep moving on with your life, but something is in the way. You may feel stuck, unmotivated, depressed, anxious, scared, and so much more. Life can be so challenging, and it isn't fair that you don't get instructions. At GROW, we understand that life can throw some unexpected curveballs that you were never prepared to handle. We want to help equip you with the tools to manage the challenges and wounds life can bring to move towards healing.

Courtney Salter loves helping people move forward. She is passionate about the potential that you have in your life, and works diligently to become a safe place to find and develop the tools within yourself and heal past wounds. Courtney earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Courtney has worked in a psychiatric hospital with a range of disorders in the inpatient and outpatient units. Her experience extends to working with adults, teens, women, trauma, anxiety, addiction, depression, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, boundaries, communication, career, codependency, and relationships.

You are not broken in need of fixing; you may be healing and in need of care. Caring for yourself and your emotional/mental health is often a difficult thing to do. Yet unattended, the wounds and destructive coping mechanisms tear away the chance of healthy relationships, life-giving work, daily functioning, and effective parenting.

As your therapist, Courtney is determined to help you find your place in the healing process. You may wonder if you need counseling or if it will make a difference. Here at GROW, we have seen things get better. We are passionate about the potential that you have in your life. Life happens, but together we can find the next steps forward.

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.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or addiction, I can offer you a safe place to heal and grow. Looking into therapy is a brave first step in taking control of your life, and no matter what you are going through, I’ll meet you with compassion and respect. I believe my holistic approach to treating the mind, body, and soul—something I am very passionate about—can help you discover your best self.
I believe the ability to form close attachments and maintain satisfying relationships is at the core of a fulfilling life. That’s why I often work through a cognitive behavioral/emotional attachment lens, utilizing the therapeutic relationship to foster trust and connection. And because trauma is often at the root of many people’s pain, I’m also trained in EMDR.
My mission is to help you feel safe so you can tell your story, heal past emotional wounds, and find relief in the present. I have experience in various mental health settings, including residential, partial hospitalization, and individual therapy. As a trauma-informed therapist, I love working with adults dealing with anxiety, addiction, and trauma.

Available to New Clients! In-person Acworth office or virtually.
Who Am I? We all desire to be heard, to be seen, to have a purpose, to know the truth, to trust, to be trusted, and to be whole. The mind, body, & spirit need to be well; we work with all three parts. Having grown up overseas, I know acculturation into the home country is a struggle. I know what it's like to be hurt by religion or church. I know what it's like to live with a narcissistic leader or family member.
I've experienced divorce, remarriage, had single-parenting struggles, learned to rebuild a family. I know the challenges of aging parents. Life is hard at any age. I am also an LGBTQIA ally.
I offer a safe space of acceptance & kind confrontation. Our lives are impacted by trauma, whether a one-time event or a life pattern. Trauma can be one-time or long-term; religious, psychological, or physical abuse by people we trust. I will walk alongside you, working through the past, accepting the present, working toward whole wellness in your future.
As your therapist, I want to be present with you where your needs may be. If it's anxiety, depression, gender identity issues, church or religion mess, trauma, aging parents, difficult kids, troubled or at-risk-marriage, toxicity, or a career change, I will listen to you. I offer an open mind but I will challenge you when you need another perspective.

I exclusive specialize in child therapy for ages 3-14 years old using Child-Centered Play Therapy. I own Lily Pad Child & Adolescent Counseling in Frisco, TX.