As long as I can remember helping others has always been a passion of mine. As an associate marriage and family therapist, walking alongside your journey often feels like a privilege. I truly believe the foundation of a therapeutic relationship begins with trust, empathy, and listening and with that I tailor the treatment approach to fit each client’s needs. I have worked with various populations of diverse background that have struggled with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss, and body image issues. A few modalities I utilize are cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and strength-based therapy. I would love to be a part of your journey to growth and help you become the best version of yourself.

My mode for counseling stems from the desire to find the place of compassion within everyone’s story. We are all broken people in need of healing, but often our own judgements of ourselves prevents us from seeing the places we need love and insight. Therapy offers a safe space to process emotions and thoughts. Here, we are all able to uncover the root cause for the issues in our lives.
I work from a trauma-informed perspective, working through current issues and the deeper beliefs, thoughts and emotions that influence our choices. I specialize in boundary work, anxiety, depression, relationships, life transition, death and grief, spirituality issues, substance use, adjustment to change and changing cultures. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and approach counseling from a multicultural perspective. I also provide counseling with christian values and provide counseling without based on client’s preference and value system. I look forward to meeting you!

Are there love, work, family, or personal circumstances that you would like to discuss? Are you having symptoms that are causing you distress or interfering with your daily life? Are there changes that you wish to make or life transitions you are trying to get through? Are you struggling in your relationship and needing to find new ways to communicate, a new perspective on your partners, or a better way to understand your partner?
I can help! I will help you get beyond whatever holds you back, help you manage and overcome any symptoms you might be having, assist you in negotiation challenges in your relationships and work with you towards the changes you wish to make.
My clients generally regard me as genuine, insightful, easy to talk to, and humorous. I provide treatment face to face, via phone and via internet. Areas of interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, communication concerns, and building self esteem. I welcome those who feel they might be "a challenge"

Joy Fortanbary completed a Masters of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University and also holds a B.A. in Public Relations Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She is an Associate Professional Counselor by the Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, And Marriage and Family Therapists. She is also a National Certified Counselor by the National Board of Certified Counselors and an ASAT-Candidate from the International Institute of Trauma and Addictions Specialists. Additionally, Joy has specialized training in EMDR, a therapeutic technique designed to help people struggling to process trauma.

Joy is passionate about partnering with individuals on the journey towards interpersonal healing that leads to generational change. She believes the most powerful growth happens in the context of relationship, which leads to her commitment to provide a genuine space marked by curiosity and collaboration.

Joy enjoys working with individuals navigating various challenges such as trauma, sex and love addictions, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and relationship conflict. Joy utilizes an integrative and holistic approach in the process of helping clients reach their personalized goals and lead a life more by design and not by default.

Joy gained valuable experience working with both individuals and groups in private practice and treatment center settings. Prior to counseling, she worked with leaders to establish national and global organizational partnerships at a large nonprofit in the Atlanta area. In her free time, Joy enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Ash is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in working with adolescent and young adult males struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD, and trauma. Ash worked as a school counselor for years before beginning his clinical practice and takes his passion for working with young adults into his clinical work.

I specialize in working with children, teens, and young adults. I also offer art-informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an alternative to traditional talk therapy, providing my young clients with a creative and engaging therapeutic approach.

With a holistic and eclectic approach, I tailor the therapeutic experience to best fit client goals. Combining person-centered therapy, art-informed CBT, and reality therapy, I create a personalized and distinctive journey for my clients. I firmly believes that one's perception plays a crucial role in their overall mental well-being, recognizing that distorted perceptions can hinder the experience of joy. By increasing mindfulness while maintaining realism, I support my clients in achieving their goals.

“The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Welcome, I'm glad you're here, I'm Lauren Foss, MS, LMFT. If you're feeling lonely, misunderstood, overwhelmed, or hopeless, perhaps in search of hope or meaning, individual, couple, and/or family therapy is available to serve as a gentle, guiding light, to illuminate your path, and help you find your way through the dark.

I look forward to walking alongside you as you navigate life's obstacles, develop greater insight and awareness into yourself and your relationships, and obtain practical tools for managing difficulties. Please reach out for a free 15 minute consultation to determine if I'm the right therapist for you.

Laura Baker MA, LPC, NCC, CPCS
Exhale Counseling
Exhale Counseling and Consulting Services
www.exhalecounselingsvcs.com
laura@exhalecounselingsvcs.com
770 892 6287
Co-Founder of Exhale Counseling (07.07.2020)
I am trained in EMDR

Malissa Truesdale-Crawford MA, LCMHCA
Malissa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate. She is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina.

Malissa is most passionate about people and her motto for clients is let’s work together to become your overall “best/better” SELF!! Malissa has worked tirelessly to help children of all ages and adults feel good about themselves no matter what the past, present may look like. We work together to make “you, the client” feel whole and worthy! Malissa’s previous work stems from children and adults thus the family unit (Couples) is an area that comes naturally for her.

As we process your life path, we will use my skills in Narrative Therapy (values/importance you tell yourself), Solution Focus (where you’re heading/future self), Motivational Interviewing (why do you do what you do) and CBT (ways to change what you do). Malissa is also trained in Couples Prepare/Enrich and Brain-spotting.

I have a diverse professional and personal background which allows me a unique perspective. I love earning the trust of my clients and walking through those things in life that have led us into the people we become. Whether sensitively processing to trauma, or tackling unintentional habits, I take great care to prioritize the clients’ goals and collaboration is key! I work with individuals, couples and families on issues ranging anxiety, depression, parenting, marriage, or other relationships issues, and life transitions.