JCAC's Blog & Podcast

May
19

Is EMDR Therapy Effective for Healing PTSD? Here's What You Should Know



Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people each year—many of whom silently struggle with flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, and anxiety that makes everyday life feel overwhelming. If you're exploring ways to heal from trauma, EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) may have come up in your search.


But what is EMDR therapy really? And is EMDR effective for treating PTSD and trauma-related disorders?


In this post, we'll explain what EMDR therapy is, how it works, who it helps, and why it's one of the most talked-about trauma therapies today. Whether you're a trauma survivor, a family member, or a mental health professional, here’s w...


May
12

How Play Therapy Can Help Your Child Overcome Behavioral Issues and Emotional Struggles



When a child faces behavioral issues, emotional struggles, or experiences anxiety and grief, it can be incredibly challenging for both the child and their family. The feelings of helplessness and confusion are natural, but the good news is that there is a highly effective form of therapy designed to help children navigate these difficult emotions and behaviors: Play Therapy.


In this post, we will explore how play therapy works, why it’s beneficial for children facing behavioral challenges, and how it can help children process their emotions, overcome anxiety, and cope with grief. Let’s dive into how play therapy can be a game-changer for your child's emotional well-being.



What Is ...


May
05

Postpartum Mental Health Counseling: Moms, You Deserve Support


Pregnancy Self-Care: How to Find the Support You Deserve | JCACounseling Podcast Short






Pregnancy can be overwhelming, and it's important to remember you're not alone. In this video, Janice Collins, CNM, and Erica Gregory, LMFT, discuss why asking for help and finding support is crucial for your well-being during pregnancy. Join them as they explore practical tips for self-care and how to lean on others to thrive during this journey.




The journey to motherhood is a remarkable experience, but it can also come with emotional and mental health challenges. After childbirth, many new moms experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, or stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Post...


Apr
28

Individual Counseling: Empowering Change and Growth Through Psychotherapy


AM I DEPRESSED? Or Just Sad? Depression Explained in Detail By A Licensed Counselor






Counselor, Erica Gregory, explains what depression is by outlining the 9 key symptoms of depression. Erica has worked with depressed children, teens, and adults, and uses her experience with real clients who have depression to explain the difference between feeling sad or down and clinical depression or medical depression.




Life’s challenges often leave us feeling stuck or overwhelmed, whether it’s dealing with emotional distress, life transitions, or mental health struggles. Individual counseling offers a safe, supportive space to help you process, heal, and find clarity. At Johns Creek and Alphare...


Apr
21

The Benefits of Online Therapy: Convenient and Effective Mental Health Support


How To Find The Best COUNSELOR For You Online: Where to Look, What Questions to Ask.






Counselor, Erica Gregory, provides resources on how to find the right counselor for you. She discusses how to find a counselor online, what the credentials behind their name means, we well as provides questions to ask the counselor, and yourself, to help you find the best match for you.




In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing mental health can be challenging. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, or personal growth, online therapy offers a convenient and effective way to receive professional support from the comfort of your home. With advancements in telemental heal...


Apr
14

The Power of Couples Counseling: Strengthening Relationships Through Therapy


The Secret to Getting Your Marriage Back and Avoid Divorce! | Marriage Master Class Ep 1






Love is central to our life, yet we're not very good at it. Why?! ​​In this series, Marriage Counselor, Erica Gregory, will walk you through the same process she walks a couple through counseling to save marriages from divorce.




Relationships are beautiful, but they can also be challenging. Whether you’re newly in love or have been together for years, every couple faces ups and downs. When conflicts arise, communication breaks down, or emotional distance grows, couples counseling can be a valuable tool to rebuild and strengthen your relationship.


What Is Couples Counseling?


Couples counseling, also kno...


Apr
07

Play Therapy: Helping Children Heal and Thrive Through Therapeutic Play


Play Therapy: Speaking Your Child's Language






Counselor, Erica Gregory, talks about what play therapy is, how it works, and what to expect from a play therapist. She explains why play therapists use play as a form of therapy, the benefits for your child, and what the first 4 play therapy sessions look like.




Childhood is a crucial time for emotional and psychological development. However, children may struggle to express their thoughts and emotions, especially when dealing with anxiety, trauma, behavioral challenges, or grief. Play therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach that allows children to communicate, heal, and grow in a way that feels natural to them—through play.


What is Pla...


Mar
31

Healing Trauma with EMDR Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide


EMDR Explained: Treatment for Trauma That Really Works!






Counselor, Ginny Vose, shares with you a trauma treatment called EMDR and what a typical EMDR session looks like. She explains what EMDR Therapy is, and walks you through Bilateral Stimulation techniques as well as the process of "raising your window of tolerance" through treatment.




Trauma can leave deep emotional scars that affect our daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being. Fortunately, there are effective therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) that offer hope and healing to those struggling with trauma. In this guide, we explore how EMDR works, its benefits, and why it's becoming a preferred cho...


Sep
30

The Alarming Rise of Teen Depression and Suicide | JCACounseling Podcast Short


In this short episode, licensed counselors Erica Gregory and Mandi Allison discuss the growing mental health crisis among teens, highlighting the alarming rise in suicide rates. They explore how prolonged emotional pain can lead to a desire for escape and how social media intensifies anxiety and feelings of isolation. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and better support the teens in your life.


Click below to watch this short episode!


To watch the full podcast episode, click here: Full Podcast Episode



Why Is Teen Depression & Suicide Increasing? | JCACounseling Podcast Short











Prolonged Emotional Pain and the Desire to Escape:
The discussion began by addressing how prolonged emotional pa...


Sep
23

Fostering Safe Communities: Addressing School Violence & Suicide - JCACounseling Podcast (LIVE)


Join us for a critical community conversation in response to recent tragedies in Sugar Hill and Winder, GA, including a suicide by cop and a school shooting. Suicide and school violence are preventable, and it's vital to know how to take action. In this live podcast, we'll discuss how to proactively address mental health crises and keep our community safe.






Topics include:



  1. Suicide prevention strategies

  2. Supporting teens and children through anxiety and fear

  3. Preventing school violence

  4. Recognizing warning signs and talking about suicide and violence with loved ones


Led by licensed mental health counselors Erica Gregory, LMFT, and Mandi Allison, LCMHC, and hosted by JCACounseling and Clear Path Counsel...