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.

Jodi Attar

IMFT

About

I believe that we all have the capacity to grow towards becoming better versions of ourselves. I work systemically and collaboratively with individuals, couples, and families to help them achieve their desired goals for treatment. I place great emphasis on developing a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients, while also valuing the inherent ability that each person has to work towards individual growth and change. I utilize a variety of interventions in working with clients, viewing treatment through the lens of experiential and structural therapy.

For Adolescents in distress…
The teen and preteen years can be exciting, but also extremely challenging, especially when your child appears to be struggling. Challenging teen behaviors or poor academic performance can be frustrating for the parent, but also may signal that your child is not at their best. I enjoy working with adolescents to help them better understand and manage their struggles, while also helping to build the bridge of communication with the family, fostering a stronger parent-child relationship.

For Families in distress…
Family can be a source of strength, joy, and companionship, but can also feel tense, uncomfortable, and broken when not functioning at its best. It is extremely common to feel "stuck" in the same patterns of behavior. Families often are great solvers of their own problems, but when it feels like you’ve tried everything, often therapy can help family members learn to relate in new and more rewarding ways.

For Couples in distress…
Ever feel like you have the same arguments with your partner over and over again? Do you worry that you’ve tried everything and feel like you keep getting the same outcome? While these feelings of being "stuck" can be highly stressful, there is hope. Therapy can help couples identify new, positive interaction patterns towards a more fulfilling relationship.

I believe that we all have the capacity to grow towards becoming better versions of ourselves. I work systemically and collaboratively with individuals, couples, and families to help them achieve their desired goals for treatment. I place great emphasis on developing a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients, while also valuing the inherent ability that each person has to work towards individual growth and change. I utilize a variety of interventions in working with clients, viewing treatment through the lens of experiential and structural therapy.

For Adolescents in distress…
The teen and preteen years can be exciting, but also extremely challenging, especially when your child appears to be struggling. Challenging teen behaviors or poor academic performance can be frustrating for the parent, but also may signal that your child is not at their best. I enjoy working with adolescents to help them better understand and manage their struggles, while also helping to build the bridge of communication with the family, fostering a stronger parent-child relationship.

For Families in distress…
Family can be a source of strength, joy, and companionship, but can also feel tense, uncomfortable, and broken when not functioning at its best. It is extremely common to feel "stuck" in the same patterns of behavior. Families often are great solvers of their own problems, but when it feels like you’ve tried everything, often therapy can help family members learn to relate in new and more rewarding ways.

For Couples in distress…
Ever feel like you have the same arguments with your partner over and over again? Do you worry that you’ve tried everything and feel like you keep getting the same outcome? While these feelings of being "stuck" can be highly stressful, there is hope. Therapy can help couples identify new, positive interaction patterns towards a more fulfilling relationship.

Mark Jones

MFT, LPC

About

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.

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.

Michael Kanner

LPC

About

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.

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.

Cecilia Stonebraker

Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist

About

Cecilia is a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Associate, a Certified Supervisor Intern, and a Gottman Level 1 couples’ therapist. She has over 8 years of experience in addiction and behavioral health and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina State University. Additional education includes a graduate certificate in counseling education from N. C. State as well as a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Wake Forest University and a bachelor’s in business administration from Catawba College. Cecilia has sought additional training in trauma, dialectical behavioral therapy, victim advocacy for survivors of gender based violence, emotionally focused therapy, and providing affirming and responsive treatment to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Autistic and Neurodiverse individuals.

Cecilia is a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Associate, a Certified Supervisor Intern, and a Gottman Level 1 couples’ therapist. She has over 8 years of experience in addiction and behavioral health and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina State University. Additional education includes a graduate certificate in counseling education from N. C. State as well as a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Wake Forest University and a bachelor’s in business administration from Catawba College. Cecilia has sought additional training in trauma, dialectical behavioral therapy, victim advocacy for survivors of gender based violence, emotionally focused therapy, and providing affirming and responsive treatment to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Autistic and Neurodiverse individuals.

Melanie Ross

Associate Professional Counselor

About

Melanie is an Associate Professional Counselor. She completed her Bachelors in Photojournalism through the University of Georgia. While completing her BA she discovered that what she most enjoyed about Photojournalism was getting to know people, and to help them tell their stories. Realizing her passion to help people to experience and tell their story well, led her to complete her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Denver Seminary.

While completing her master’s she worked in a college setting counseling young adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and relational issues. After moving back to Georgia, she worked extensively with adults managing a range of mental health problems. She is passionate about working with teens, young adults, and individuals on issues of grief and loss, life transitions, career concerns, and relationship issues. Additionally, she enjoys helping couples rediscover joy in their marriage.

She seeks to create a warm and supportive environment where her clients feel heard and valued as they develop skills and process emotions to face life’s challenges. Melanie helps her clients pursue their goals through a holistic approach, using a variety of treatment methods that take into consideration a client’s physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, reading, and baking. She is a member of the LPCA of Georgia.

Melanie is an Associate Professional Counselor. She completed her Bachelors in Photojournalism through the University of Georgia. While completing her BA she discovered that what she most enjoyed about Photojournalism was getting to know people, and to help them tell their stories. Realizing her passion to help people to experience and tell their story well, led her to complete her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Denver Seminary.

While completing her master’s she worked in a college setting counseling young adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and relational issues. After moving back to Georgia, she worked extensively with adults managing a range of mental health problems. She is passionate about working with teens, young adults, and individuals on issues of grief and loss, life transitions, career concerns, and relationship issues. Additionally, she enjoys helping couples rediscover joy in their marriage.

She seeks to create a warm and supportive environment where her clients feel heard and valued as they develop skills and process emotions to face life’s challenges. Melanie helps her clients pursue their goals through a holistic approach, using a variety of treatment methods that take into consideration a client’s physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, reading, and baking. She is a member of the LPCA of Georgia.