Being a teenager can feel overwhelming, confusing, and lonely. There is so much pressure to figure out who you are while navigating school, friendships, family expectations, social media, and the uncertainty of growing up. Many teens come to therapy feeling anxious, misunderstood, disconnected from themselves, or unsure of where they fit in. I work with teens struggling with anxiety, self esteem, body image concerns, eating disorders at the outpatient level, major life transitions, and identity development. I also have a special passion for supporting teens impacted by adoption and foster care, an area that is both professionally meaningful and personally important to me. Many of the teens I work with are carrying questions about belonging, trust, family relationships, or simply trying to understand themselves better. Others are navigating difficult family dynamics, friendship challenges, or the pressure to meet expectations while feeling lost on the inside. My goal is to create a space where therapy feels comfortable, genuine, and free from judgment. I want teens to feel like they are talking with a trusted adult who truly cares, not sitting across from someone who is analyzing them. Building trust and connection is at the center of my work, and many teens continue therapy long term because they feel understood, respected, and supported as they grow into themselves at their own pace. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailoring treatment to each teen’s unique needs while helping them build confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.

Every relationship goes through seasons of struggle. Sometimes couples feel disconnected and stuck in the same painful patterns. Other times they find themselves facing major questions about the future and are unsure which path forward is right. I work with couples who want to strengthen their relationship, repair after hurt, improve communication, and reconnect emotionally. I also support couples navigating some of life’s biggest relationship decisions, including whether to get married, whether to have children, whether to stay together, or whether divorce may be the healthiest path forward. Many couples come to therapy feeling exhausted from repeating the same arguments or feeling unheard by the person they love most. Others are struggling with differences in values, parenting goals, family planning, intimacy, infidelity, age gap relationship challenges, or uncertainty about what comes next. In our work together, we slow down the cycle of conflict and focus on understanding what is happening beneath the surface. My role is not to take sides or tell you what decision to make. Instead, I help both partners gain clarity, communicate more effectively, and better understand themselves and each other. Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and Imago Therapy, I create a space where both partners feel heard, respected, and safe enough to engage in meaningful change. Whether your goal is repair, reconnection, discernment, or growth, you do not have to navigate it alone.

Life does not always unfold the way we imagined it would.

You may find yourself watching friends move into stages of life that look very different from your own. You may be longing for a relationship, struggling with infertility, grieving being childless not by choice, questioning your next chapter, or feeling disconnected from the life you thought you would have by now. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, life transitions, low self esteem, burnout, grief, and feelings of loneliness or being left behind. Many of my clients are women who feel like they are living a different story than their peers and are searching for a place where they can process that experience honestly and without judgment. I also enjoy working with adult adoptees exploring identity, belonging, family relationships, and the unique complexities that can accompany adoption throughout adulthood. In addition, I support law enforcement officers, first responders, veterans, military families, and spouses who are navigating the unique stressors that often accompany these roles. Whether it is the weight of responsibility, chronic stress, exposure to trauma, relationship strain, or the challenges of supporting a loved one in these professions, therapy can provide a space to process experiences that are often difficult to discuss elsewhere. My approach is attachment based and integrates ACT, CBT, and DBT. More than any specific modality, I believe healing happens through connection. I prioritize building a strong therapeutic relationship where clients feel supported, challenged when appropriate, and empowered to move toward a life that feels meaningful and authentic.

Families experience seasons of stress, transition, and disconnection. Even families who deeply love one another can find themselves struggling with communication, conflict, trust, or major life changes. I provide family therapy grounded in attachment based approaches that help family members better understand one another, strengthen emotional bonds, and create healthier patterns of communication. I have a particular passion for working with families impacted by adoption and foster care. These experiences often bring unique questions around identity, belonging, attachment, trust, and family relationships. I strive to create a supportive environment where every family member feels heard and valued throughout the process. Whether your family is navigating conflict, significant transitions, blended family dynamics, or challenges related to adoption or foster care, therapy can provide a space for healing, understanding, and reconnection.

One of the things clients often tell me is that they feel comfortable with me quickly. Building genuine connection and trust is one of my greatest strengths, and I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most important parts of meaningful change. My style is warm, relational, and down to earth. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe enough to be honest about what they are carrying while also feeling supported, challenged, and encouraged as they move toward growth. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama and my Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University. Before entering the mental health field, I gained experience through legal internships that deepened my understanding of trauma, systems, and the complexities individuals often face when navigating legal processes. During my graduate training, I completed an internship at an eating disorder treatment facility, where I gained hands on experience supporting individuals struggling with disordered eating and body image concerns. I have also completed specialized training in adoption competency, trauma informed care, anxiety treatment, mindfulness based interventions, and evidence based approaches for couples and families. My work with couples is informed by training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, and other relationship focused approaches. I remain committed to ongoing professional development and continuing education to best serve the individuals, couples, and families I work with. I currently practice under the clinical direction of Erin Williams and the supervision of Caylin Broome, LCSW, and Ann Pearl, LCSW.

Direct Line: 678.252.9242

Intake Line: 404-834-2363

Email: Lylamills@Lmillscounseling.com