Amberly attended the University of North Georgia for her Bachelors Degree, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She continued her education at the University of North Georgia where she received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since graduation, she has worked in the private practice setting continuing to gain experience working with children and parents. Amberly believes that working with the entire family system creates the ideal environment for growth and healing. She is a Registered Play Therapist and utilizes Child Centered Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy, and Attachment based modalities.

Amberly works with children and teens in the following specialty areas:

Anxiety – Perfectionism, Test & Performance Anxiety, Anger, Tics, Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors, Disordered Eating, Trichotillomania
ADHD – Impulsivity, Distractibility, Aggression, and Anxious Thoughts
Athletic Performance – Anxiety, Identity Development, Grief & Loss, Depression, Visualization Skills, Confidence
Autism Spectrum Disorder– Social Skills, Sensory Processing, Anxiety, Bullying, Self-Esteem
Grief – Trauma, Anger, Isolation, Depression, Defiance
Amberly also offers parenting support including concerns such as attachment, communication, parenting strategies, appropriate limit setting, and co-parenting.

Amberly’s heart is to use both her passion and training to help children and teens navigate through life’s many obstacles. Her biggest hope is that they become the best versions of themselves and truly know they are worthy of everything life has to offer them, despite what the world may tell them. When Amberly is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and German Shepherd, watching sports, and staying active.

Amberly is a member of the Association for Play Therapy and also holds a certification in AutPlay.

In my role as counselor I am honored to support individuals who are struggling with various aspects of life. Perhaps dealing with strong anxiety or depression, negative self talk, relationship issues, work or school pressures, unhealthy habits and poor self care. Does any of this sound like you? I will work with you to understand what is happening, design strategies to address your specific issues, and work step by step with you as we remove the barriers and build new and better ways of being you. Healthy, happy and connected to the world around you.
Encompassing compassion and practicality, I use cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and short-term solution-focused therapies, often in my practice. I am EMDR trained, but prefer to use EFT (a cognitive somatic tapping technique), shown to help individuals integrate and heal from past traumatic events, life experience, difficult memories, present food cravings, stress, anxiety, and phobias. I also use cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients process certain issues and find solutions. My blending of cognitive and mind-body practice creates a unique healing experience for clients.
I am eager to help you thrive in all areas of your life, and will offer you the tools to make effective and lasting changes. I look forward to working with you towards the peace and health you desire. For clients who prefer speaking Spanish, I have a good command of the language. I am licensed in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland and Vermont.

I am a sport psychology fellow specializing in mental health concerns and performance optimization for athletes and individuals in high-stress occupations. I see children, teens, adults, individuals, couples, and run a therapy group. Although I specialize in sports/performance with athletes, I see all individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, panic, sexual health concerns, faith & life transitions, co-occurring medical concerns, ADHD, OCD, perfectionism, and other mental health concerns!

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.

If you’re still struggling to find that inner peace and don’t know what else to do, that’s when I come in. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist who is passionate about working with those who want to find themselves again – or maybe find themselves for the first time.

If you have one speed and that speed is go-go-go, let me help you slow down and be more present. We can work on turning off that autopilot and take control of your life again.

Together, we will work on all those experiences that were pushed aside, those accomplishments you felt you didn’t deserve, that feeling that life is just passing you by, all the times you powered through because you had no option, yeah, we’ll get into those!

Let’s figure out how to get you where you want to be. Let’s find that inner peace you’ve been searching for.

Together we’ll laugh, talk about the good and the bad, but most of all we will get you to a place where you can feel just a bit lighter than you did before.

I offer guidance through the wilderness of depression and anxiety, support in life‘s crucial decisions, deep inner listening, companionship in the life of the Spirit, help in the formation of relationships between other people and God, a sacred space for connecting with your true Self, the therapeutic gift of love, a journey into wholeness.

Stress just. won't. stop. and “work-life balance” seems like an impossible feat. Your stress has been building for FAR too long; you can't remember the last time you weren’t so overwhelmed or anxious. You can't stand how irritable you’ve become, especially around those you love. Your go-to de-stressors just aren't cutting it anymore - or it's a struggle to use them, and you’re growing tired of your own procrastination, rumination, and withdrawing from others. You want to be more present in your life & relationships. You want to feel like your old self again - or a new, calmer self - on a path of continued growth and success. You want more for yourself and are ready for change.

I can help by co-creating a brave & safe space and validating you - especially when it feels like no one understands. With Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), we can help you feel quick relief from prior traumas and distresses, eliminate triggers, and move forward feeling lighter and calmer. We'll rebuild coping skills for relief now & prevention later. I'll challenge you (with care), offer accountability, and use your strengths to help you meet your goals. Ideally, we'll also laugh together and connect as humans.

You're struggling now and contacting therapists only to then wait for responses is frustrating. Skip the waiting and take another step toward relief now by scheduling a brief phone consult directly on my website!

Part of choosing to engage in therapy is choosing to understand yourself more and to seek other perspectives to do so. I engage clients in collaborative processes to assist you not only in improving your relationships with others, but also enriching your relationship with yourself. I collaborate with you to cultivate an intentional life by asking questions you’ve never thought about before. I take great intention in creating a space where you feel supported and accepted, because we must feel a certain level of safety and trust in order to have the courage to change, grow, and be vulnerable.

I am a welcoming therapist with a warm energy committed to providing a client-centered approach that takes into account every aspect of your identity. I particularly enjoy working with young women in emerging adulthood (ages 18-30) but I have experience working with adults of all genders and all ages. I aim to provide LGBTQIA+, sex-positive, affirming services while incorporating a social justice anti-racist framework. In my clinical work, I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy modalities and mindfulness approaches to meet clients “where they are.”

Rupi Kaur writes “What is stronger than the human heart which shatters over and over and still lives?” I consider psychotherapy to be one way that clients strengthen their hearts, and I am continuously inspired by the resilience I see in therapy sessions every day. It is an honor to be a part of my clients’ journeys towards living more meaningful lives.

Michelle works with adolescents and adults to help them achieve the emotional and personal growth they want to see in their lives. Michelle specializes in helping teenagers and young adults navigate transitions and establish a strong sense of self. She also helps those struggling with fertility journeys and pregnancy loss, military families with their unique lifestyle struggles, and parents establishing healthy relational patterns. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to process their emotions, understand themselves, and further develop skills that help them heal and achieve their therapeutic goals.