Sarah Valeriay

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor

About

Sarah considers her work in therapy to be a privilege with every client. She understands taking brave steps towards life-healing change is sacred work that should be met with detailed, compassionate care. Sarah strives to provide a safe environment for clients to build on their existing skills and address any areas of concerns they may have while moving towards transformation and freedom.

Sarah has served clients in a broad span of clinical and therapeutic settings. Her experience ranges from serving the mental health needs of the homeless population of Atlanta, to psychiatric hospital experience, therapeutic residential treatment for teens, and private practice. Sarah integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques to help clients identify and heal the deep heart wounds that can influence our core beliefs and impact our actions. The integration of faith in counseling is available upon request.

Sarah considers her work in therapy to be a privilege with every client. She understands taking brave steps towards life-healing change is sacred work that should be met with detailed, compassionate care. Sarah strives to provide a safe environment for clients to build on their existing skills and address any areas of concerns they may have while moving towards transformation and freedom.

Sarah has served clients in a broad span of clinical and therapeutic settings. Her experience ranges from serving the mental health needs of the homeless population of Atlanta, to psychiatric hospital experience, therapeutic residential treatment for teens, and private practice. Sarah integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques to help clients identify and heal the deep heart wounds that can influence our core beliefs and impact our actions. The integration of faith in counseling is available upon request.

Dustin Ellis

LMFT

About

Dustin Ellis was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Lipscomb University and his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Prior to working with GROW, Dustin spent the last fourteen years using behavioral interventions like ABA with children and families on the autism spectrum. He has made the transition into the field of counseling because he has seen the unique needs that families with children on the spectrum face.

Dustin has specialized in providing resources and meeting the specific needs of the parents/families/siblings/caregivers who have children on the spectrum. His goal is to provide a holistic approach for supporting these families to thrive in the future.

Dustin has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples to better serve this population. He is a member of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Clients describe Dustin as warm and authentic while offering hope that change is possible. His approach centers around using awareness, practicing compassion, and acceptance of deeper emotions to create connection and change.

Dustin embraces the words of Brene’ Brown, “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”

Supervisor: Dr. Wendy Dickinson

Dustin Ellis was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Lipscomb University and his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Prior to working with GROW, Dustin spent the last fourteen years using behavioral interventions like ABA with children and families on the autism spectrum. He has made the transition into the field of counseling because he has seen the unique needs that families with children on the spectrum face.

Dustin has specialized in providing resources and meeting the specific needs of the parents/families/siblings/caregivers who have children on the spectrum. His goal is to provide a holistic approach for supporting these families to thrive in the future.

Dustin has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples to better serve this population. He is a member of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Clients describe Dustin as warm and authentic while offering hope that change is possible. His approach centers around using awareness, practicing compassion, and acceptance of deeper emotions to create connection and change.

Dustin embraces the words of Brene’ Brown, “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”

Supervisor: Dr. Wendy Dickinson

Catherine Gouge

APC, NCC

About

Catherine attended the University of North Georgia both as an undergraduate and graduate student, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Science in Counseling. She is an Associate Professional Counselor as well as a National Certified Counselor. Catherine received specialized training in addictions as a part of her program, which qualified her to receive the title of a Certified Addictions Counselor – Level 1. Catherine is also a member of the American Counseling Association. She has worked with children, teenagers, and adults on a variety of presenting issues. Catherine has a desire to help those struggling with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as those impacted by substance abuse. She is particularly interested in helping those who are struggling to find meaning in their lives and joining alongside them in their spiritual journey. She seeks to meet clients where they are in their life circumstances and to help them accomplish their therapy goals. Catherine’s hope is to use her therapeutic bond with her clients to assist them in encountering and accepting themselves fully, leading them to experience authentic and free lives. She also utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques as well as a Family Systems approach. Catherine is trained in Motivational Interviewing and incorporates it into therapy at different stages to assess for and encourage client progress.

Catherine attended the University of North Georgia both as an undergraduate and graduate student, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Science in Counseling. She is an Associate Professional Counselor as well as a National Certified Counselor. Catherine received specialized training in addictions as a part of her program, which qualified her to receive the title of a Certified Addictions Counselor – Level 1. Catherine is also a member of the American Counseling Association. She has worked with children, teenagers, and adults on a variety of presenting issues. Catherine has a desire to help those struggling with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as those impacted by substance abuse. She is particularly interested in helping those who are struggling to find meaning in their lives and joining alongside them in their spiritual journey. She seeks to meet clients where they are in their life circumstances and to help them accomplish their therapy goals. Catherine’s hope is to use her therapeutic bond with her clients to assist them in encountering and accepting themselves fully, leading them to experience authentic and free lives. She also utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques as well as a Family Systems approach. Catherine is trained in Motivational Interviewing and incorporates it into therapy at different stages to assess for and encourage client progress.

Amy Bilka

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Psy.D.)

About

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.

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.

Molly Halbrooks

LMFT

About

Molly Halbrooks holds a Master of Family Therapy from Mercer University and has been licensed since 2014. Her extensive training and clinical experience have equipped her to work with adults of all ages with varying presenting issues through in person and virtual therapy. She currently is accepting clients from Georgia and North Carolina for virtual sessions, and in-person sessions for those in the Charlotte area.

In sessions, Molly creates a comfortable, safe, and accepting atmosphere where her clients can explore the challenges they face. Her clients have described her as down to earth, easy to talk to, and direct. The clients who find her to be the best fit include those facing life transitions such as divorce, new parenting, and career changes; individuals struggling with anxiety; grieving individuals; those facing relational struggles; and those who are wanting to make sense of and heal from past traumatic experiences. She uses a combination of techniques, drawing from Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered, strength-based techniques to meet clients where they are and walk with them through the process of creating positive change. She has been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and utilizes this to address a variety of presenting concerns, including trauma, mood disorders, and phobias.

Molly grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has lived in the southeast for the past 14 years. She currently lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and children, and when she is not seeing clients she enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, spending time outdoors, and traveling.

Molly Halbrooks holds a Master of Family Therapy from Mercer University and has been licensed since 2014. Her extensive training and clinical experience have equipped her to work with adults of all ages with varying presenting issues through in person and virtual therapy. She currently is accepting clients from Georgia and North Carolina for virtual sessions, and in-person sessions for those in the Charlotte area.

In sessions, Molly creates a comfortable, safe, and accepting atmosphere where her clients can explore the challenges they face. Her clients have described her as down to earth, easy to talk to, and direct. The clients who find her to be the best fit include those facing life transitions such as divorce, new parenting, and career changes; individuals struggling with anxiety; grieving individuals; those facing relational struggles; and those who are wanting to make sense of and heal from past traumatic experiences. She uses a combination of techniques, drawing from Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered, strength-based techniques to meet clients where they are and walk with them through the process of creating positive change. She has been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and utilizes this to address a variety of presenting concerns, including trauma, mood disorders, and phobias.

Molly grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has lived in the southeast for the past 14 years. She currently lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and children, and when she is not seeing clients she enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, spending time outdoors, and traveling.