Do you look in the mirror and not like the person you see looking back at you? Do you struggle with depression and anxiety? Do you often experience feelings of despair, sadness, hopelessness, low motivation, and little self-worth?
I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger management, trauma, substance abuse, as well as others. I utilize various treatment methods to empower my clients to improve their lives and start living instead of just existing.
If you are suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues, let me help.

Regardless of what's happening in your life right now you deserve to feel understood, supported, and equipped. Maybe you've noticed you're anxious more than you're not, or you just don't enjoy life the way you used to. Maybe you've been through something awful, or are grieving the loss of someone you love. I can help.

I love working with people from all stages of life including, teens, young adults, and couples. I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, self-esteem, and relationship issues.
No matter what's going on in your world I would love to help you navigate life's challenges and pursue growth and wellness in your life.

Starting therapy can be scary, overwhelming, frustrating, and/or exhausting. There are so much options.. and if you're not a therapist yourself, many of the terms and specialties are new for you and probably don't mean anything yet. If you're not sure what exactly you're looking for, but know you want help and support, you're in the right place. I'll explain the process, walk through what next steps are and work with you along the way to answer questions and make sure what we are doing continues to feel supportive of your needs.

I offer my clients a safe space to explore questions and thoughts that they may not feel comfortable sharing with others. We will look at the feelings that come up for you in difficult situations and also share the wins together. We can keep things in the moment and focus on what's currently happening, or explore how past experiences have shaped you.

Everyone's needs are different, and there is not a one size fits all to therapy. I believe the relationship is the most important part of this process, and with a strong connection to your therapist (hopefully me!) real change and understanding can happen. If you're ready to start, please reach out and we can walk through this together.

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.

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.

Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Board Certified Counselor who has more than ten years of experience specializing in working with children, teens, and families in private, public, and charter schools in metro Atlanta. She encompasses a unique perspective stemming from her years as a teacher, school counselor, and school-based therapist providing a proactive approach to wellness. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Mississippi, Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Reinhardt University, and Master of Science in School Counseling from Mercer University.

Lisa is well versed in working with families from different backgrounds and clients who are diagnosed with various learning disabilities. She is passionate about bridging the gap between home and school in order for clients to reach their full potential and for stakeholders to be mindful and sensitive to the necessary accommodations to ensure emotional, social, and academic success.

During her time within the school setting and clinical experience with a local agency, Lisa has worked extensively with families who have experienced life stage transitions such as: adoption, grief, and divorce. She utilizes mindfulness, play therapy, and sand-tray techniques in order to empower clients to experience reflection and personal growth. Lisa is certified with Connection Coalition, a non-profit organization that provides trauma-informed yoga programing and is a member of the Association of Play Therapy and the American Counseling Association.

Lisa’s specializations include:

Learning Disabilities: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in all forms, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communication Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Learning Disorders with impairment in reading, written expression, and mathematics

Trauma: Grief and loss, domestic violence, human trafficking, neglect, sexual abuse, natural disasters

Children & Teens: Anxiety, bullying, career counseling, college acceptance, depression, developmental transitions, executive functioning, identity development, self-esteem, social skills, testing anxiety, perfectionism, athletic performance anxiety, peer relationships, suicidal and homicidal ideation, self harm, mood dysregulation and psychotic disorders

Families: Communication, boundary setting, blended families, foster care and adoption, conflict resolution, life-stage transitions, stress management, limit setting, parent-child relationship development

Lisa’s therapeutic style includes holistic psychotherapy, cultural competence, and empathetic understanding with unconditional positive regard to all clients. In addition to providing services to clients, Lisa is passionate about spending time outdoors, running and yoga, as well as prioritizing quality time with her family, friends, and Golden Retriever.

If you are struggling to cope with stress and anxiety from past or ongoing difficulties (such as school/work stress, friendship/relationship problems, bullying, or family dynamics), I can help you process and problem-solve your experiences and offer a path forward. This includes learning coping skills and interpersonal effectiveness, as well as examining thought and behavior patterns. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to help them be the best version of themselves by helping them to identify their goals and to leverage their strengths to meet those goals.

Are you or your child struggling in school and you don't know why or how to help? A psychoeducational evaluation can determine if an individual meets criteria for a learning disability or ADHD, as well as highlight strengths and weaknesses and guide academic and treatment recommendations (including accommodations on standardized tests, if appropriate).

I am currently conducting all therapy via telehealth and am accepting new clients ages 12+ in DC, MD, VA, NJ, PA, & more. Psychoeducational evaluations are conducted in DC only (ages 6+). Please feel free to email me so we can set up a brief phone consultation to see if I can help. If I can't, I'll try to point you in the right direction.

Julia Bauer, LCSW, whole heartily believes therapy should be collaborative and unique to each individual. She offers a warm, empathetic and non-judgmental approach and creates a safe space for clients to heal and feel heard.

Julia provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families, She enjoys working with adults of all ages, and is specifically interested in helping with the LGBTQIA population, anxiety, depression, trauma, women’s issues, infertility, relationship issues, life transitions, and grief. Julia also has a lot of experience with prenatal and postpartum mental health disorders. She is a certified holistic doula and has a special interest in assisting new parents through their transition into parenthood.

In therapy, Julia utilizes a multitude of therapeutic techniques to help clients cope through life’s many challenges and tribulations. She takes a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach to support and assist clients in living a more authentic, whole-hearted life.

Julia earned an MSW from Aurora University. Her experience includes counseling in a variety of settings including residential, inpatient and outpatient hospitals.

The best place to change and grow is in relationships. I specialize in providing a safe, supportive and collaborative environment for each client who steps into my office. Whether it is through their anxiety, with their significant other or processing spiritual or relational trauma, my goal is connection. When that connection is fostered, I help clients unpack their feelings, process their irrational thoughts and get to the root of their struggles for true change to take place. It’s not about a quick fix but deep processing through a supportive, empathetic environment!