I believe we all could benefit from therapy, and after becoming a parent that need may grow. Shifting your focus to keeping two (or more) humans alive instead of just you is hard work! Between hormonal changes and relationship changes this time is unlike any other in your life. Even if you have struggled with mental health in the past, during this time, things may feel different. You don't have to go down this path alone.
Athens Parent Wellbeing has partnered with amazing therapists who are knowledgeable and focused on helping parents through their prenatal & postpartum periods. Whether you have experienced infertility, loss, birth trauma, or perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to include postpartum depression, we are here for you.
Fill out the form below if you are interested in our pay-what-you-are-able therapeutic services and we'll schedule you an appointment. Right now, our services will be offered virtually in telehealth sessions. After COVID, we will offer face-to-face therapy in our center with optional childcare!
If you would like a peer support parent or if you're interested in seeing a therapist, please fill out the form linked below!
Caty Bell is a North Georgia native who settled in Athens three years ago. She studied at the University of North Georgia where she received her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Caty has a passion for working with pregnant and postpartum women. She also specializes in working with victims of trauma and those struggling with grief. She has worked in a number of settings both inpatient and outpatient. When Caty's not working with clients, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets. Caty loves reading and spending time outdoors.
My name is Michael Bergquist, and I’m a LPC providing counseling (telehealth especially) for adults who live in the state of Georgia seeking personal growth and change to achieve release from bearing the burden of symptoms of anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and substance abuse. By collaborating with each client, my interest is to empower one’s deeper understanding potential for positive outcomes, belief in one’s strengths, and acceptance of oneself.
As a therapist with 20 years of experience and a Mom who is living with the joys and challenges of parenting, work, and a busy family, I am passionate about supporting women at all stages of Motherhood. I help new Moms who may need help with adjustment or may even be dealing with postpartum depression or anxiety as well as parents across the lifespan who are dealing with different stages of parenting from dealing with infants and toddlers to big kids, tweens, teens, young adults, and adult children.
Hi, I’m Sarah, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) working in the Athens area. Most folks report experiencing me as someone who is warm, grounded, and authentic. My aim is to build our relationship so that you can find the ability to be safe and at ease while at the same time able to dig into deeper, more difficult material. I pull from both practical approaches and more abstract, emotion based ones to dial into what you individually would most benefit from or need in an active way. This is a fully collaborative process with you. You can expect a space that allows honesty, imperfection, humor, and perhaps some tears and choice language at times, if you choose. My style is not forceful or controlling.
Angie Cleland is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years experience counseling children, adults, and families. Angie has worked in various positions throughout her career helping individuals and families experiencing grief, depression, anxiety, anger, general adjustment issues, and life cycle changes. Angie has advanced perinatal mood & anxiety disorder training and hopes to help mothers who are experiencing prenatal & postpartum symptoms.
I'm Katie, and I am passionate about working with children and families, especially those who have experienced trauma. Because we are often hurt in relationships, I believe that relationships are also where we must go to find healing. As a counselor, I do my best to create a safe, healing relationship for each child, teen, and adult I see while also encouraging and empowering them to safely seek healing relationship in others, whether that be with a spouse, parent/caregiver, friend, or God. I have specific interest and training in working with foster and adoptive families and the precious children in their care.
Hi, I am Paige Dee (she/her). I believe every person deserves to live a life they find meaningful. However, a reality for many of us is that sometimes, living is tough, and meaningful wouldn’t be one’s word of choice to explain their life. Thankfully, significant benefits can come from being therapeutically supported while facing challenges and uncertainties. To provide this support to my clients, I approach treatment eclectically and draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy orientations, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Dialectic Behavior Therapy. In addition, I draw from Feminist, Person-Centered, Strength-Based, and Solution-Focused orientations.
Chinyerea is a Licensed Master Social Worker and it would be her pleasure to partner with you on your journey to wellness and wholeness.
There is nothing quite like a safe space to just be and heal. Chinyerea would love to provide that for you as we unpack challenges such as stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship matters, parenthood, trauma, and life and career transitions, among others. Having an incredible mother who has spent most of her almost 30 year nursing career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, and becoming a mother herself fostered a desire in her to also become more proficient in supporting other women in their journey to and through motherhood.
I know firsthand what it feels like to show up for myself, even when I don’t feel it. As a Black woman, I understand how hard it is to live authentically in a society that makes you feel like you aren’t enough. I’ve come to remind you that you are.
Much like in my everyday life, I provide a non-judgemental approach to therapy. This creates a safe space for you to be your whole self, unapologetically, and gives me the opportunity to better understand what you need from therapy. I believe that everyone, regardless of background, family history or identity, deserves acceptance, love and peace of mind. My approach is person-centered & my practice is grounded in holistic wellness. I think it’s important to see people as a whole being & I find joy in helping others focus on their strengths and grow into the person they want to be. I have experience providing therapy to both individuals & couples.
Bonnie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Athens serving women in all stages of motherhood, including pregnancy and postpartum. She specializes in anxiety disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. She is also passionate about working with those who experienced pregnancy or birth trauma and breastfeeding issues such as DMER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex). She uses several different approaches in therapy including DBT, mindfulness, and ACT. She also helps her clients learn Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size, and body neutrality. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, going for nature walks, and seeing live music.
Jeannie has over 30 years’ experience in individual and group counseling in agencies, private practice and hospital settings. She engages clients in a safe, trusting environment to help them identify their strengths and resiliency as they work to overcome personal challenges. Clients leave each session with increased understanding of their “authentic selves” and skills to help them navigate their daily lives and stresses.
Shannon received her Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from The University of Alabama. She did her internship in Athens, GA and has continued her career here in The Classic City. Shannon has worked primarily with elementary school aged clients, including providing counseling services in a local elementary school. She has worked in a variety of settings ranging from an intensive residential program to a local counseling practice.
Aura Morris is a Licensed Master Social Worker working with clients on a variety of issues, including grief, loss, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Aura enjoys working with mothers on perimental health-related issues, including perinatal anxiety and depression, birth trauma, miscarriage, loss, or infertility, emotional overwhelm, and the challenges of transitioning to new parenthood.
Ellen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a great love for coming alongside people to help them move towards becoming the best version of themselves. Life can often feel messy and chaotic. Her passion is to help bring order out of chaos to facilitate growth and peace. Many of my clients present with concerns related to anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stressful life transitions and circumstances, perinatal mental health concerns, or they report feeling a little “off” and are seeking help to feel more like themselves again.
Caroline graduated from the University of Georgia with a Master's in Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. She is especially passionate about talking about trauma, disassociation, death, aging and grief. Caroline is the facilitator for Athens' first in-person deATH Cafe. Caroline pursued EMDR training and PSI's perinatal mood disorder training to be equipped to work with and support parents as they navigate the challenges of parenting and the unique way that parenting can bring trauma to the surface. Additionally, Caroline enjoys working with parents through loss and birth trauma.
Brendan Stephens is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Athens native with over 10 years of professional experience across a number of settings with adolescents and adults. He brings a strengths based client-centered, interpersonal, and experiential approach to this work and enjoys incorporating nature, expressive arts, and other creative means to facilitate awareness, understanding, and healing. Brendan often operates from an internal family systems framework and is also trained in EMDR, both of which are trauma informed modalities that place an emphasis on reconnecting people with their own innate wisdom and resources.
Michaela Summers graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, focusing on children in urban settings. She has also earned a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Clark Atlanta University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Professional Counseling & Supervision from the University of Georgia. Michaela has worked with children and families in the school setting as a professional school counselor for 3 years. During her graduate work at UGA, her main focus has been on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS). Michaela’s passion for working with women and mothers came when she began her journey as a mother.
Jessica Tiwari (she/her) is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. Her experience working with people with disabilities has shown her the impact that our physical condition often has on our mental well being, social life, career and relationships. Jessica decided to begin working with women experiencing fertility, perinatal, and postpartum issues after realizing the lack of services and resources available to many women in these situations. She is passionate about making these resources more readily available to those that need them.
Ja’el Wright is an Associate Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Claflin University, the oldest and boldest historically black university in the state of South Carolina. She worked as an Adult Protective Services case manager for the Department of Social Services in South Carolina and as a Foster Care case manager for the Division of Family and Children Services in Georgia before and during her graduate studies. She obtained her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University.
Leigh helps broken women and adolescents regain their power.
Leigh has a passion for helping women and adolescents who are feeling angry, lost, alone, and frantic become calm, confident, and capable. She can relate. She has been there. She wants to help. She believes in therapy because she has been where you are and it has brought her healing and clarity. She wants to help you experience growth, lasting change, and be able to trust yourself.