Therapists for college students near Atlanta, GA
Melanie Lindblade, LPC
Melanie works on providing a safe environment and quickly builds rapport with her clients. She brings an extensive background of experience and education to assist clients in improving their lives. She has worked with substance abuse and mental health issues for 25+ years with adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is able to assess and develop a treatment plan to meet the specific need of each client. She has extensive experience helping clients who have mental health concerns and substance abuse issues. Her focus is working with age 7 and above. She does individual, family or couples counseling. Melanie employs a strength-based approach to address challenges and help clients make positive change. She utilizes a variety of skills to best suit each clients needs including cognitive behavioral therapy. Her collaborative approach to problem solving focuses clients in on the actions they can take to improve quality of life and decrease stressors. Melanie has a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Michele Cookieanos, LPC
Michele has 5 years counseling experience specializing in anxiety, bipolar, depression, as well as behavioral disorders. She is a helper by nature and enjoys collaborating with patients in achieving their mental health goals. The atmosphere she promotes is one of non-judgement and confidentiality. The most fulfilling part of this job is to witness the positive change of a patient/client. Michele obtained a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix where she graduated with honors with completion in 2014. She also attained a Master's Degree where she majored in Clinical Psychology and minored in counseling from Walden University, completing her studies in 2016.
Kiesha Stanley, LPC
I am Licensed Professional Counselor since 2017, this is one of my best accomplishments, I am able to help others. I believe life is what you make it, sometimes you have to work a little harder to accomplish your goals and to see growth in your life. Life is about change and growth, which is not always easy, learning to enjoy small victories will increase your quality of life. My therapeutic modality is CBT it works well with multiple Mental Health Diagnosis and Substance Use Disorders. Self care is really important to me, I allow time for myself daily to reflect on my day to ensure, I'm reflecting the best version of myself for myself, my family and my clients.
Ramesh Kannegenti, MD
Dr. Kannegenti specializes in Adult Psychiatry and is licensed to treat patients with Opioid Dependence. Dr. Kannegenti believes that there is always more to be learned and mastered. It is that philosophy that has led him to attend many courses on the new treatments and advancements in the psychiatry field and drug addiction therapy. Dr. Kannegenti strives to give his patients the best and most compassionate care possible.
Dr. Jeffrey Rausch, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Rausch is a Psychiatrist in Georgia who has been practicing since 1982. He obtained his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, completed his psychiatry residency at University of South Carolina, and took a fellowship in Psychopharmacology Research at University of California School of Medicine, San Diego having since served then on faculties of UCSD, MCG, and Emory University, previously as Professor and Case Distinguished Chair of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia. At LifeStance, Dr. Rausch is now available for telemedicine consultation and medication management in collaboration with their mental health team for treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, autism, and PTSD. In his free time, Dr. Rausch enjoys outdoor sports and music.
Karen Larson, LPC
Dr. Karen is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia. As therapist she is committed to address life’s challenges of transition and transformation, to enrich each client’s ability to think creatively and responsibly about one’s own life, and to support the client’s vision for change. Her goal: to assist the process of self-awareness and clarity; to rename and reconfigure what is significant; and to facilitate the process of creating new solutions of meaning. She is person-centered in relationship, existential and humanistic in philosophy, eclectic in approach. She has more than twenty years of combined experience teaching and counseling in university, school, hospital and private practice. Specialties include Counseling and Supervision doctorate, advanced training in clinical pastoral education, and patient and family counseling from the University of Virginia Health Science Center. Dr. Karen has resourcefulness in multiculturalism as she lived her formative years in Lebanon, Nigeria and India. Expertise Life Transitions Grief Spirituality Depression and Loss Resilience and Adaptation Relational Issues Trauma and PTSD
Kristi Durden, LMFT
Kristi Durden is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Georgia who has been practicing since 2017. She has a Bachelor's in Broadcasting and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kristi became a therapist after attending therapy, since she saw first-hand how helpful it was and wanted to offer this life-changing experience to others. Kristi always provides a welcoming and safe environment to assist clients in exploring their experiences, validating and challenging them while remaining open-minded. Kristi likes to meet clients where they are and help them identify their therapy goals and facilitate progress toward them. Outside of work, Kristi enjoys gardening, traveling, exercising, attending shows/concerts and spending time with family and friends.
Laurelanne Hackinson, LPC
I believe that we are all unique people with gifts and talents yet to be realized, and that some of us are having trouble seeing it within ourselves and need a little help. I am here to help. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with a deep desire to help individuals overcome their mental and emotional problems using a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) approach . Your thoughts are the drivers of who you are and what you can become and do. Negative thoughts can sabotage us in many areas - your well being, your relationships, your career, your past, your present and your future. I also like to help my clients understand from a scientific perspective just what is going on in their brain-feelings-body in simple terms so that as they learn/practice coping skills that help them to make sense of the reasons they got stuck in the first place - and gain insight into learning/growing from their past pain.
Ebony Dowdell Peterson
I have fifteen years of experience serving those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. I am also a certified prenatal mental health provider. I enjoy empowering individuals of all sorts and encouraging them to wellness through a holistic approach. You can expect to feel supported and nurtured as well as motivated to accomplish your goals. I provide a safe space to process thoughts and feelings and to create solutions. I do this by taking a holistic approach to improving your overall wellness. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Breakthrough Counseling Services
At Breakthrough Counseling, our focus is on you and your journey to healing. With Telehealth options available and providers licensed in multiple states, this means that no matter where you are, we are here to help you breakthrough to a new you! Multiple providers offer a wide range of expertise in different areas, including: individual, child/adolescent, family, marriage, as well as medication management. Our team strives to provide the best quality of care. We have a varying network of professionals available to walk you through any hardships or struggles that life brings. We have immediate, open appointments available for you now.
Stillwell Athens
At Stillwell Athens, we offer both individual counseling and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to support college students and all young adults who are navigating emotional, relational, or life transitions. We provide different levels of care so clients can access the amount of support they need, whether that’s weekly therapy or more structured, consistent treatment, without stepping away from school, work, or daily responsibilities. Our approach is relational, developmentally informed, and evidence-based. We work with individuals, couples, and families using modalities such as CBT and DBT, alongside experiential and creative approaches when appropriate. We regularly support college students and young adults adjusting to independence, academic or career stress, and relationship challenges, as well as adults and parents managing changing family dynamics, identity shifts, and major life decisions. For those who need more than individual therapy alone, our IOP provides increased structure, group support, and clinical care while remaining fully outpatient. This option is well-suited for clients who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or in need of additional accountability and connection. 10-15 hours of therapeutic support per week. At Stillwell, we focus on helping our clients build insight, develop practical skills, and strengthen the supports that allow for meaningful, sustainable change. You don't have to put your life on hold or compromise your mental health and wellbeing.
Meristem Therapy Services
Keeping your behavioral healthcare local and personal, we are a group psychotherapy practice located in Athens, GA. We provide mental health services specializing in trauma, ADHD, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, substance use, and other areas for your growth. If you have never worked with a therapist, we understand the apprehension and encourage you to reach out as we enjoy helping people become comfortable with the process. If you have had other therapists in the past, we can provide a new perspective on your growth and work with you to find the path that works for you. We accept a variety of insurances, however not all of our therapists work with each listed. Please make sure to find the therapist you are interested in working with and verify that they accept your insurance. All of our therapists are listed here on Thriving Campus. We have all either studied or worked at UGA which provides us with a unique understanding of the culture and the challenges that you may be experiencing. We know that our proximity to UGA, our familiarity with the culture of the University, and our local knowledge of Athens will make your experience rewarding. We are a mixture of licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists, along with Master's level interns that provide therapy at significantly reduced rates. We look forward to being part of your journey, whether that is for six months or six years. Your growth happens here!
Sarah Erickson
Hi! I’m Dr. Erickson, and I serve as WellQor’s Clinical Director for Massachusetts and Wisconsin. I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology and completed my post-doctoral training at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community mental health clinics, and college counseling centers. What matters most to me in therapy is the relationship I build with each person I work with. I believe strong, genuine relationships are the foundation for real change. I focus on understanding my clients deeply, how their identity, life experiences, trauma, family dynamics, anxiety, or depression may be shaping their current challenges. My goal is to help you make sense of it all and support you as you grow and heal. As your therapist, I’ll see your strengths, listen with care, and stand with you as you work toward the changes you want in your life and relationships. Life can be incredibly hard, but I believe healing is always possible. When you contact WellQor, our office team will help you get scheduled and guide you through the first steps of starting care.
Journey to Resilience
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Sarah Clark
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Gwendolyn Shehorn
I specialize in working with college women who are navigating the ups and downs of emerging adulthood such as balancing academics, friendships, family expectations, and the pressures of figuring out who you are and what comes next. For many of my clients, this stage of life feels exciting and overwhelming all at once, and therapy becomes a place to sort through those emotions and find steady ground. In our work together, I focus on creating a safe, supportive space where you can be open and real. My approach is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth. I’m here to help you untangle what feels heavy, discover coping tools that actually work for you, and build confidence in your ability to manage challenges. I know that college life often brings unique stressors. Together, we’ll work on building resilience, improving emotional regulation, and finding clarity so you can move forward with more peace and confidence. If you’re feeling stretched thin, second guessing yourself, or just tired of pretending everything is fine, you don’t have to carry it alone. Therapy can be the space where you start to feel grounded, supported, and reminded of your own strength!
Lauteasha Williams
Through WellQor, I provide online therapy for college students and young adults, and WellQor accepts most major insurance plans to help make care more accessible. My work focuses on helping people better understand themselves and the relationships that shape their lives. Together, we can explore patterns that may be contributing to conflict, self-doubt, communication challenges, or feelings of being stuck. The students who tend to connect best with me are often thoughtful, caring people who spend a lot of time focusing on others. They may be trying to meet family expectations, maintain friendships, succeed academically, or keep everyone around them happy while quietly struggling themselves. Over time, this can lead to feeling disconnected from who they are, what they need, and what they want for their future. I believe that growth often begins with understanding. When we gain insight into our relationships, our experiences, and the roles we've learned to play, it becomes easier to make intentional choices and create healthier connections. Whether you're navigating family dynamics, relationship stress, low self-esteem, or a major life transition, therapy can be a place to reconnect with yourself and build the kind of life and relationships that feel meaningful to you.
Melissa Wetherington
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Shannon Bowles, PhD
My clinical practice is grounded in an emotion-focused framework that emphasizes collaboration, autonomy, empathy, relationship-building, and cultural humility. I view the therapeutic relationship as dynamic and relational. We grow and change together in the process. Authenticity is central to my work. I approach therapy as a whole person. I carry my identities, personality, and lived experiences with me. I believe that, when I show up fully, it creates space for you to do the same. My goal is to offer you an emotionally safe environment where you can show up with all parts of yourself - your identities, feelings, stories, strengths, and struggles - without fear of judgment. I want you to feel deeply seen, heard, and valued for the whole person that you are. My approach is trauma-centered and am queer, CNM, and polyamory affirming. I am a World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) certified provider.
Aaliya Uddin, MS, EdS, APC
Hi, I’m Aaliya. I work with college students who are navigating the many transitions that come with this season of life, whether that means adjusting to campus life, figuring out who you are, managing academic pressure, or trying to balance relationships, family expectations, and your own needs. The students I connect with best are often those who are thoughtful, driven, and trying their best, but may feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of what comes next. You might be the person who looks like you have it together while quietly struggling behind the scenes. You may be learning how to set boundaries, build confidence, understand yourself better, or make sense of experiences that have shaped you. In therapy, we will create a space where you can show up as your full self without judgment. Together, we can explore what is weighing on you, identify what you need, and build tools to help you navigate college and life with more clarity, confidence, and self-trust. If you are looking for a therapist who will listen, collaborate with you, and support you through this chapter, I would love to connect.