Counselors, Therapists and Life Coaches in Woodstock, GA

Aaron Esfahani, MSN, APRN, BSBA

Practice Owner of Woodstock, GA Thriveworks, Clinical Director

Aaron Esfahani is an Advanced Practice Nurse in the great state of Georgia. Aaron also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. As the clinical director of Thriveworks Woodstock, Aaron believes in practicing and leading a culture of excellence at every stage of the healthcare process. He feels that his commitment to quality is unprecedented. Aaron knows that many skills are foundational for being a positive change agent in the community. He trusts that understanding, appreciating, and using power and influence to affect positive change is much needed in mental healthcare now, more than ever. Aaron considers that the following key constructs define his medical practice:

• Holistic health
• Person-centered care
• Care-focused nursing
• Cultural humility
• Professional identity formation

Aaron believes in empowering his clinicians as well as his patients. Through empowering others, medical evidence has indicated that improved patient care, increased use of evidenced based practices, enhanced patient care outcomes, and an instilled sense of confidence all follow suit. Aaron’s medical training has proven that success will remain constant only if the devotion to the development of being successful remains in place. Aaron’s personal goal is to have Thriveworks Woodstock be the number one mental health practice in the great state of Georgia. He wants to personally welcome you, your family, and your friends in the journey towards achieving optimal mental healthcare at Thriveworks Woodstock.

“To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can, in spite of all we go through; is to be a nurse.” -Rawsi Williams

Angela Howell, MS, LAPC

*Accepting New Clients*

Angela Howell is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. Angela is a bilingual Spanish/English speaking clinician. She has worked with a variety of populations since graduating with a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health from Liberty University in 2022. In addition to joining the Thriveworks Woodstock team, Angela is the current clinical evaluator for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Treatment Services which is composed of accountability courts such as Drug Court aimed for those struggling with substance abuse and HELP Court for those struggling with mental illness. There, her primary focus is to clinically evaluate and diagnose individuals in the legal system to place them in the program that will best fit their needs. Additionally, she completed her clinicals and was employed at Good Landing Recovery where she offered PHP, IOP, and OP level of care to her clients as well as facilitated many behavioral therapies and group therapy.

Angela’s primary focus is helping adults develop emotional regulation, identity, and other skills essential for leading a healthy life. Angela utilizes various techniques, including CBT, solution focused therapies, and motivational interviewing, to guide her clients towards a positive mindset and perspective.

Areas of Expertise, but not limited to:

• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Adjustment Disorders
• Depression
• Codependency
• Psychosis and Schizophrenia
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Populations Served

• Latinos
• 12-17
• 18-64
• 65 + (Self-pay only)

Madison Medford, LAPC

Madison Medford is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the great State of Georgia. She has worked with a variety of populations since graduating with a professional counseling degree from The University of West Georgia in 2018. Prior to joining the Thriveworks Woodstock team, Madison worked at the Cobb County Behavioral Health Crisis Center which is an alcohol treatment facility designed to help clients struggling with alcohol use disorder. There, her primary focus was to implement crisis intervention to dual diagnosis clients. Additionally, she has facilitated many behavioral therapies at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Marcus Center for Autism.

Madison’s primary focus is helping children, adolescents, and young adults develop emotional regulation, identity, and other skills essential for leading a healthy life. Madison utilizes various techniques, including CBT, solution focused therapies, and motivational interviewing, to guide her clients towards a positive mindset and perspective.

Areas of Expertise, but not limited to:

• Anxiety and Depression
• Substance Abuse and addiction issues
• Adjustment Disorders
• Anger Management
• Stress Management
• Communication and Conflict Resolution
• Career and Life Transitions
• Mood Regulation
• Child/Adolescent Treatment

Populations Served:

• 5-11
• 12-17
• 18-64
• 65+ (Self-pay only)

Susan Goodwyn, LPC

Susan Goodwyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia with 35 years’ experience in the fields of Addictions, Mental Health, Adolescent Counseling, Individual Therapy and Specialized Group Therapy offerings include Women’s Issues, Spirituality, Multi Family Group Therapy.  Susan has worked in the Juvenile Justice System providing Mental Health Counseling.   Prior to becoming a therapist worked for 15 years in United Methodist Churches providing development of local church Christian Education programs with focus on Children and Adolescents and Family Ministry. I also offer Christian Counseling with the application of Bible reading and prayer for direction and healing when requested.

Susan believes in open and honest communication and models these skills in therapy to identify strengths and needs to facilitate growth and healing on your journey. To increase insight and self-acceptance I encourage Journaling and I will also provide suggested readings and videos as homework to enhance therapy. By walking with you on your path to wholeness I utilize active listening, genuine empathy and provide supportive feedback always with unconditional acceptance and one of my strengths is being present with you offering hope and strength.

As an avid animal lover my motto is “Be kind to everything that lives”

Come join me on the journey to find your peace and wholeness.

Areas of Expertise, but not limited to:

• Christian Counseling
• Mental Health Individual Therapy
• Marriage and Family
• Couples Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Addictions
• Interpersonal Relationship Issues
• Women’s Issues
• Self Esteem
• Anger Reduction and Management

Populations served:

• 12-17
• 18-64
• 65+ Self-pay only

Bryant Harris, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

**Accepting New Clients** 

Bryant Harris is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Georgia with many years of clinical experience with adolescents, adults as well as geriatric populations. He graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Social Work. Bryant has also served in The United States Marine Corps Reserve. He has comprehensive education, training in crisis intervention, and applied experience in many elements of mental health, working with individuals experiencing depression, adjustment disorders, addictions, anxiety, grievances, and trauma.

Bryant has worked in multiple hospital settings and coordinated discussions with families around Hospice Care, Home Health, Nursing Rehab, and Inpatient Psychiatric units for their loved ones. He has also worked with veterans in the VA Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Bryant has excellent communication skills, a positive vibrance, and a patient demeanor that allows him to communicate calmly and effectively with people from all walks of life. He is passionate about helping others and is committed to caring about the well-being of those he works with and making the community a better place.

Areas of Expertise, but not limited to:

• Anxiety and Depression
• Substance Abuse and addiction issues
• Anger and Trauma Reaction
• Dual Diagnosis
• Men’s and Women's issues
• Communication and Conflict Resolution
• Career and Life Transitions
• Aging and Grief issues
• LGBTQ+ Issues
• Military, First Responders, and Healthcare Workers

Populations Served:

• 13+ (clients 65+ self pay only)

Benjamin Gatliff, LPC

**Accepting New Clients** 

Benjamin has lived a long and colorful life.  Like everyone else, he’s made good and bad choices and learned from each. He has 22+ years of experience in the mental health and substance abuse treatment field. He does not judge at all—period. He can be both blunt and gentle as appropriate. His role is to offer another perspective, a way to see life more fully and function better, no more, no less. He does not pretend to have all the answers, but only one slice of wisdom. He will share exactly what can help someone. Some people are not yet ready to be helped. Yet, for those who are feeling lost on life's journey and are willing to listen and learn, he is here to assist. Benjamin’s life work can be summed up in three words, "offering people hope. "

"How very lucky are we, for just a moment to be, part of life's eternal rhyme."—Charlotte's Web, movie

"Not all who wander are lost."—J.R.R. Tolkien

Areas of Expertise, but not limited to:

• Anxiety and Depression
• Substance Abuse and addiction issues
• Anger and Trauma Reaction
• Dual Diagnosis
• Men’s and Women's issues
• Communication and Conflict Resolution
• Career and Life Transitions
• Aging and Grief issues
• LGBTQ+ issues

Populations Served

• 12-17
• 18-64
• 65+ (self-pay only)

Mercy Oyerinde, PMHNP-BC

**Accepting New Clients** 

Mercy Oyerinde is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) in the great state of Georgia. Without a doubt, she has many years of experience delivering high quality patient care to those throughout the state. Mercy’s medical training provides excellent care and support to patients with chronic mental illnesses, cognitive impairment, and functional loss due to mental health issues. She can assess and prescribe medication to treat psychiatric disorders. Mercy strives to provide client-centered care and she believes that transparency is at the cornerstone of her care. Mercy truly believes that mental health is the ultimate part of our wellbeing, and that a sound mind yields a happy life. Her personal philosophy to mental health care is having a good quality of life like the popular quote.

“Your mental health is everything – prioritize it. Make the time like your life depends on it because it does.” — Mel Robbins.

Areas of Expertise include but are not limited to:

• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety Disorder(s)
• Bipolar/ Mood Disorder(s)
• Depression Disorder (s)
• Grief and Loss
• Insomnia
• Personality Disorder
• Psychotic Disorders including Delusional Disorder, Schizophrenia Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorders
• PTSD
• Stress Management
• Smoking Cessation
• Trauma Responsive Treatment

Populations Served

• Adolescents 13-17
• Adults 18-64
• Geriatric 65+

Carly Farrell, LCSW, CCHT

Carly Farrell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Georgia with many years of clinical experience with children, adolescents, and adults. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Master's degree in Social Work. Carly also holds a gerontology certificate from the University of Georgia. She has extensive education, training, and applied experience in many aspects of mental health, people experiencing depression and anxiety, grief, and crisis work.

Carly has worked in Hospice Care, Home Health, emergency room, and inpatient psychiatric units, along with her therapy work.

Carly believes in meeting people where they are. Life is full of hurdles and she hopes to assist patients with getting over the hurdles and helping them live a more happy, successful life. Carly hopes to help individuals and couples to find solutions that work best for them.

Areas of Special Expertise:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Trauma
• PTSD
• Conflict Resolution
• Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Crisis Management

Populations Served:

• Children
• Teenagers
• Adults
• Families
• Couples
• Disabled

David Hopkins, LPC

David Hopkins is a seasoned licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia. He is a certified addiction counselor and certified EMDR therapist with over ten years of experience in mental health. He received his undergraduate degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Psychology, as well as his Master’s degree in Psychology/ Mental Health Counseling.

David has worked in psychiatric hospital settings where he focused on assisting clients with healing and overcoming emotional challenges as well as conquering their mental health issues too. Also, he has worked at nationally recognized alcohol and drug treatment centers where his focus was on addressing mental health and substance abuse issues. Certainly, David has vast experience working in private practice mental health clinics as well.

As a certified EMDR therapist, David has been able to help thousands of patients overcome negative self-perceptions while significantly reducing any disturbing emotional cognitions. David is passionate about offering effective solutions to individuals who may be struggling emotionally. He can equip patients with the skills and tools they need to live happy, successful lives. Being a wounded healer himself, he has proven to be extremely effective in helping individuals with regaining hope and overcoming obstacles in their lives.

David is available for men and women's individual therapy. He would love to work with you on your journey to help heal your emotional pain, help you understand conflicted feelings, and find new meaning and purpose in your life.

Areas of focus but not limited to:

• Anxiety and Depression
• EMDR therapy
• Trauma
• Substance Abuse and addiction issues
• Christian Counseling
• Stress Management
• Life adjustment issues
• Men’s issues

Populations Served:

• Adults—18 years old+
• Men and Women (Individual counseling only)
• Military and First Responders

Dr. Beatrice Odero, PMHNP-BC

Beatrice Odero, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She attained her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of South Alabama. Dr. Odero has vast experience treating patients ages 12 and up with various mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and ADHD.

Dr. Odero has over 14 + years of healthcare experience working with different populations, including children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient hospital and outpatient settings. Her expertise includes diagnosing and treating psychiatric illness, incorporating brief psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatment interventions. Dr. Odero’s approach to treatment centers on viewing the patient as a whole and developing a patient-centered treatment plan solely fit for that person. Additionally, she engages the patient and their family in shared-decision making to create the best treatment option based on evidence-based treatment modalities.

In addition to proper diagnosis and individualized treatment approach, Dr. Odero also uses her non-judgemental attitude when assessing the patient. Also, she offers a comfortable environment where patients feel free to discuss. Dr. Odero’s goal is to alleviate symptoms and help the patients improve their quality of life.

Areas of Expertise include but are not limited to:

• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety Disorder(s)
• Bipolar/ Mood Disorder(s)
• Depression Disorder (s)
• Grief and Loss
• Insomnia
• Personality Disorder
• Psychotic Disorders including Delusional Disorder, Schizophrenia Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorders
• PTSD
• Stress Management
• Smoking Cessation
• Trauma Responsive Treatment

Populations Served

• Children and Adolescents
• Adults
• Geriatric

Dr. Michelle Wierson

Michelle Harris Wierson, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who has spent the last 30 years helping people transform their lives.  Using a multi-faceted approach, therapy is tailored to the needs of the person or family, in order to bring the most meaningful and lasting change. Dr. Wierson offers support, compassion, practical techniques, and persistence in her work – along with a good dose of creativity and life wisdom.  She specializes in therapy with teens and young adults aged 12-25, the parenting of young children, and couples and family therapy.  For adults with more chronic mental illness, or struggling with childhood trauma, she pairs heartfelt empathy with new skill development. As David Richo says, “our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.”

In life, there are times when we feel strong, and other times when we feel broken.  Psychotherapy is an interesting process, because the point of entry can happen at either time and be successful.  No matter what, it takes courage to face difficult questions about yourself, your partner, your family. Dr. Wierson’s goal is to engender trust and partner with you to answer those questions and then find solutions.  She is open, warm, and collaborative, and ready to help you make a difference in your own life.  Dr. Wierson also is deeply committed to being an ally for people of color and the LGBTQ community and welcomes cross-cultural connections.

Dr. Wierson earned her undergraduate degree at Furman University, and her M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. She interned at the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Pomona College, where she earned the Wig Meritorious Teaching Award and was part of the Women’s Studies Program. She has written over 30 peer-reviewed publications.  She won the Thomas Leahy Award for Creative Achievement at the Social Security Administration, where she worked evaluating disability claims for over 10 years.  Dr. Wierson has worked in private practice, hospitals, government agencies, juvenile detention centers, mental health community centers, and educational settings across the last three decades.

Areas of expertise, but not limited to:

• Child/Adolescent Treatment
• Family Therapy
• Chronic Medical Illness
• Chronic Mental Illness
• Parenting Issues
• Adoption
• Women’s Issues
• Couples Therapy
• Eating Disorders
• Attention Deficit Disorders

Populations Served:

• Children
• Adolescents
• Adults

Ivanda Postell, LPC, CPCS

Ivanda Postell is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) in the great state of Georgia.

Ivanda is accomplished with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She is a therapist at heart and brings a plethora of skills, knowledge, and expertise in helping you become whole again. Ivanda brings a vast amount of clinical experience that will help you and/or loved one achieve a true balance in life. Ms. Ivanda Postell specializes in the following methodology of therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) for PTSD. Ivanda believes in genuineness, honesty, and integrity as well as meeting patients where they are. Schedule your session for online therapy with her today and experience the results that you’re looking for. 

Areas of Expertise include but not limited to:

• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression Disorders
• PTSD
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Psychotic Disorder
• Suicide Prevention
• Crisis Intervention
• Grief and Loss
• Stress Management
• Developmental Disabilities
• Borderline Intellectual Functioning
• Conflict Resolution
• Mood Disorders
• Christian Counseling

Populations Served

• Adults
• Teenagers
• Couples

Jackie Ryanczak Lilly, LPC

Jackie Ryanczak Lilly is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia, and received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. She spent the last three years doing community mental health in Cherokee County.  Her goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, caring and empathetic environment for her clients, so they can learn the skills necessary to get to a better place in their lives.

Through her experience she has treated teens, adults and families with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. She has also worked with traditional and non-traditional couples to improve their relationships. She continues to further her education and experience through advanced trainings and professional experiences. She offers a straightforward, direct style of counseling that still maintains the caring and collaborative nature of her counseling training. She utilizes a combination of CBT and DBT therapies to provide her client’s a very personal therapeutic experience.

Imagine yourself being free of self-defeating beliefs and behaviors... and living fully in the present. Let Jackie support you in your journey. You can recover from past hurts that interfere with your success, independence and joy in life.

Her areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

• Mood Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Behavioral Disorders
• Severe and Pervasive Mental Illnesses
• Trauma
• Abuse (Emotional, Physical and/or Sexual)
• Conflict Resolution
• Suicide
• Divorce
• Parenting
• Healthy Relationships

Populations Served:

• Teenagers
• Adults
• Families
• Couples

Laura Madinger, LAPC, OTR/L

Laura Madinger entered the field professional counseling with 23+ years of experience in direct patient care working as an Occupational Therapist. Subsequently, she has successfully helped thousands of patients in much physical and emotional distress. Laura’s main passion is and has always been understanding human behavior through psychology. Not just for the interest, but to understand humanity and to find a way to help us heal more effectively from our wounds. It seems that no matter what walk of life we come from, we somehow all end up encountering circumstances that either cause us to fall off our path, experience emotional pain, cause us trauma, confusion, and so much more. Unfortunately, we are not taught how to handle these life situations in school, at work, or in the home. As a Professional Counselor, Laura wants to be your teacher, guide, educator, or whatever your needs are to best help you overcome your obstacles. Laura genuinely wants to see you, your family members, or friends thrive instead of just trying to survive. Laura is skilled at working with adolescents to geriatric patients. Trust that she will work cohesively with your family or friends to coordinate the best treatment plans for moving forward. Laura is client centered but is open to what each individual needs as we all live in our own unique worlds.

Areas of Expertise include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Self-esteem issues
• Co-dependence
• Relationship/family issues
• Career issues
• Substance use recovery
• Veteran needs
• Greif and loss

Populations Served:

• 20-64
• 64+

*Self Pay Only*

Melissa Gray, PMHNP-BC

Melissa Gray is a Board Certified, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) treating client’s across the Full Lifespan. Her education and clinical training focused on treatment and prevention of Mental, Emotional and Behavioral health disorders.

“I have adopted a holistic and innovative approach to evaluation, diagnosing and developing treatment plan to include medication management in a wide range of mental and behavioral health disorders. I believe that though various forms of psychotherapy, medications and/or psychosocial interventions every person can achieve safer, better, optimal mental health”.

She has extensive training in both hospital and outpatient clinical setting, specializing in acute stabilization of prominent mental and behavioral health disorders to include put not limited to ADD/ADHD, Depressive disorders, Anxiety disorders, Mood disorders, Psychotic disorders, PTSD and Cognitive disorders (Dementia) with or without behavioral disturbance.

Melissa is dedicated to serving and helping those most in need. Her clinical focus is on teaching patients about maintaining a balance for optimal mental health. She recognizes that their mental health is just as important as their physical health. Melissa is dedicated to providing the highest level of personalized, evidence based, and compassionate care to psychiatric patients throughout the great state of Georgia. Her approach is patient centered, she will listen to you and your needs and together will develop a plan to facilitate you being the best you!

Areas of Expertise include but not limited to:

• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety Disorder (s)
• Bipolar/Mood Disorder(s)
• Depressive Disorder(s)
• PTSD
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Psychotic Disorder
• Personality Disorder
• Eating Disorder
• Grief and Loss
• Stress Management
• Mood Disorders
• Smoking Cessation

Populations Served

• Adolescents
• Adults
• Geriatric

Ramona Mott, LPC

Ramona Mott is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia with over 20 years of clinical experience with children, adolescents, and adults. She is a graduate of Columbus State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and she holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. Ramona has extensive education, training and applied experience in many aspects of mental health, including substance abuse, sex offender counseling, and working with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities.

Ramona has over 12 years of combined experience working with the Georgia Department of Corrections and Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice; she worked in areas of crisis intervention, medication compliance, crisis stabilization, and facilitation of groups, as well as case management, individual counseling, and other areas. Ramona has experience working in the community with mobile crisis teams and crisis homes where she helped with suicidal, homicidal crisis, medication administration, referrals, behaviors etc.

Ramona believes that we all have barriers either through our own creation or due to unforeseen circumstances. Ramona assists individuals and couples in working together to come up with a solution that works specifically for them.

Areas of Special Expertise

• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Developmental Disabilities
• Stress Management
• Sex Offender Treatment
• Psychotic Disorders
• Behavioral Disorders
• Severe and Pervasive Mental Illnesses
• Substance Abuse
• Crisis Management
• Abuse (Emotional, Physical and/or Sexual)
• Conflict Resolution
• Suicide
• Grief
• Divorce
• Parenting
• Healthy Relationships

Populations Served:

• Children
• Teenagers
• Adults
• Families
• Couples

Stephanie Collins-Rawls, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH, CPCS

Stephanie Collins-Rawls is a License Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with 18+ years of experience in the state of Georgia in mental health and community. She has assisted individuals cope with painful situations that seem impossible to handle. Do you get sad/depressed, anxious, or lose someone close to you? Or are you experiencing loneliness regularly or stressed out and feeling like no one understand you? Maybe you have substance abuse problems that you’d like to resolve? Whatever you may be experiencing today, I feel that together we can work on learning/implementing strategies that will assist you with regulating your emotions and building meaningful social connections.

Stephanie have worked with children and adults in the community as well as in prisons/juveniles’ facilities. Stephanie assists individuals in coping with everyday life issues, mental health problems, and substance abuse. She worked with Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for the past 10+ years both in prison and probation center.

Her approach to helping others develop a life worth living based on Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Group Therapy.

Areas of Special Expertise

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Dual-Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Stress Management
• Psychotic Disorders
• Behavioral Disorders
• Substance Abuse\Addictions
• Crisis Management
• Suicide Prevention
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Grief
• Coping with Life Changes
• Anger Management
• Family conflicts

Populations Served:

• Children
• Adolescents
• Adults Across the Lifespan
• Families