MEET OUR THERAPISTS
ERICA GREGORY, LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR AND OWNER
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy
Populations:
Children, Couples, Families
ERIKA LACARUBA, MA
MASTERS IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELINGC
(Previously Erika Solloway)
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, ADHD, Autism, Marriage
Populations:
Children, Couples, Adults, Adolescents
BRITTANY YOUNG, LMFT, CST
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Certified Sex Therapist
Specializes in:
Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, Adult Anxiety
Populations:
Adolescents, Adults, Families
KRISTA CLARK, LMFT
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Specializes in:
Couples, Adult Trauma, Families
Populations:
Adults, Veterans, Couples
DANIELLE TIDWELL, LMFT
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Family Therapy
Populations:
Children, Autism, Adolescents, Multiracial families
LINDSEY RICHARDS, MEDU MSEDU
ASSOCIATE PROFRESSIONAL COUNSELOR
COUNSELING SPECIALIST IN AGING AND GERIATRIC PRACTICE
Specializes in:
Mental Health, Geriatric Counseling, Grief, Trauma
Populations:
Late Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric
LILLIE PALMER, MA
MASTERS OF ARTS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, Individual Counseling, Adolescent Therapy
Populations:
Children, Adolescents, Adults
ALLISON BATES, LAPC
ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, Individual Counseling, Art Therapy
Populations:
Children, Adolescents, Adults.
RACHEL BUTLER, MS, NCC
MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTHNATIONAL CERTIFIED COUNSELOR
Specializes in:
Couples Therapy, Adolescent & Adult Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Populations:
Adolescents, Couples, Adults.
PARISA POORAK, MA
MASTERS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH
Specializes in:
Couples Therapy, Multicultural Families, Post Partum
Populations:
Adolescents, Adults, Couples.
GINNY VOSE
MASTERS LEVEL CLINICAL INTERN
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, PTSD & Trauma, Women's Issues
Populations:
Children, Adolescents, And Teens
ALEXI JOHNSON
MASTERS LEVEL CLINICAL INTERN
Specializes in:
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Sexuality Concerns
Populations:
Individuals, Adults, & Groups
LORI SPENCER
R OF K-8 TUTORING AND HOME SCHOOL ASSISTANCE
Certified Special Education Teacher
Specializes in:
Special Education Tutoring, IEP Goals, Organization and Focus Skills
Populations:
ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Cognitive Delay, Executive Functioning.
ALICE HAMRICK
MASTERS LEVEL CLINICAL INTERN
Specializes in:
Play Therapy, Depression, Anxiety
Populations:
Children, Adolescents, Adults.
Erica Gregory, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Director and Owner of Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling
Erica is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that has been in practice since 2010 offering Couples Counseling & Play Therapy for Children. She offers AAMFT approved supervision for associate level counselors. She graduated from Mercer School of Medicine with a Masters in Family Therapy in 2010. She is the Clinical Director and Owner of JCAC.
Erica works with Couples by assisting them to be open, attuned, and responsive to each other allowing them to reestablish their emotional connection.
She has worked with struggles ranging from communication breakdown, marital affairs, & previous traumas. She has specialized training and supervision in Emotionally Focused Couples Counseling and is working toward becoming a certified EFT therapist under Michael Burnett. She believes that a strong family is built upon a healthy and loving parental relationship.
Erica works with Children who struggle with depression, anxiety, bullying, trauma, and difficult transitions (divorce, adoption, or a move). She utilizes experiential and attachment based play therapy to work with children. She is working toward earning her RPT (registered play therapist) certification. She has practiced within the school system and creates a holistic approach to treatment by collaboratively working with parents and teachers. Erica works with parents offering tools created based on the needs of each child- that balance healthy boundaries (discipline) and nurture (empathy).
Furthermore, Erica has experience working with mental illness such as Depression, Anxiety, & Bipolar. She works with the client, their family, and the psychiatrist to create a holistic approach.
Office Hours:
Monday 12pm - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 8pm
Call: 404-512-2795 or Email: alpharettacounseling1@gmail.com
Last Session is at 7 pm, and phone calls are returned between 11am – 9pm
Erika LaCaruba, MA
Erika LaCaruba (previously Erika Solloway) specializes in play therapy with children, couple's therapy, and individual adult therapy. Her work with children focuses on building self esteem, increasing coping skills, and decreasing angry or anxious behaviors all while fostering creativity. She specializes working with children who struggle with ADHD and Autism. She offers behavior modification therapy with play therapy to incorporate fun while guiding each child to make changes in key areas of life. She also offers help to parents looking for ways to create a calmer home using proven behavior modification techniques.
Erika has received training to offer EFT, emotionally focused couple's therapy, to assist couples to increase their communication, repair connections in their relationships, and create a safe environment to heal together. She has experience working with individuals and couples who have experienced a trauma or affair, are struggling with anxiety or depression, or struggle with poor self esteem. Erika's work with individual adolescents and adults assists clients to decrease anxiety and depression symptoms, work through difficult periods in their lives, and cultivate hope for their future. Erika's strength is to tap into each persons innate power to positively change the course of their lives.
Erika has a Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling from Bridgewater State University. She uses a combination of person-centered, strength based, and creative evidence based interventions to meet clients where they are at and assist them in meeting their goals. There's no better time than the present to start making positive changes. The first step is to call and find out if I'm the right fit for you. I am happy to hear from you and would be honored to help you on your journey to healing. Contact Erika to schedule an appointment: 561-374-0706
Rachel Butler, LAPC, MS, NCC
Rachel has a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Georgia and is Licensed Associate Professional Counselor. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University. She is actively pursuing certification in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Sand Tray Therapy.
She specializes in Couples Therapy and Individual Psychotherapy with teens and adults. Rachel helps couples with effective communication and helps them understand why they get stuck in the same fights. She is trained and certified through Prepare Enrich, a personalized assessment that helps couples increase relationship satisfaction and confidence.
Rachel also has experience providing Individual Counseling to adults and teens.
She works with individuals using talk therapy and keeps them engaged through interactive methods like art, sand, and various relaxation techniques. Her therapeutic approach is a combination of person-centered, strength-based, and creative evidence-based interventions to meet clients where they are at and assist them in meeting their goals. Her specialties include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
She is trained to offer counseling services with a wide range of concerns such as anxiety, abuse, communication, conflict, depression, life transitions, perfectionism, and self-harm. Her diverse experience includes working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children from all different cultural, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. She has worked in various treatment facilities such as a therapeutic boarding school, a community mental health agency, and an online platform, Crisis Text Line. Rachel is supervised by Kara McDaniel PhD, LPC, NCC, DCC, CPCS.
Office Hours:
Mondays 10-8pm
Thursdays 10-8pm
Fridays 9-12pm
Rachel also offers online sessions through Doxy.me, a HIPAA compliant video service.
To contact Rachel Call 404-403-1622 or Email: Rachel.JCACounseling@gmail.com
To schedule an appointment, Click Rachel's Online Portal
Brittanni Young, LMFT, CST
Brittanni Young is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist and Clinical Sexologist. Brittanni has been working in the mental health field since 2010 in Florida, South Carolina and most recently in Georgia. She graduated from Mercer School of Medicine with a Masters in Family Therapy in 2011. Brittanni obtained her certification training as a Clinical Sexologist and Board Certified Sex Therapist from the Sex Therapy Training Institute located in Miami, Florida. She is certified by the Therapist Certification Association which was first obtained in 2014.
Brittanni works with adolescents, adults and elderly within individual, family, group and couple's therapy. Her passion is to offer her clients insight into their own strength and resources and empower them to achieve their full potential. Brittanni helps people struggling with anxiety, trauma, grief, codependency, and addiction. Sex therapy treatment areas range from sexual dysfunction such as issues with desire, pain or arousal to speaking to youth about setting healthy personal boundaries. Contact Brittanni to learn more about these services.
Brittani is a Gottman Level 1 therapist, which is a research-based couples therapy program. Brittanni is also trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. Other therapeutic modalities used include Crucible marriage therapy, Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Brittanni is currently taking new clients in the Alpharetta office with open availability on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
For more information on services offered by Brittanni visit: www.byoungtherapy.com.
She can be reached directly at 678-567-6997 or email at Brittanni@BYoungTherapy.com.
Danielle M. Tidwell, LMFT
Danielle M. Tidwell, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a graduate of Mercer’s Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s Program, and is earning her PhD in art therapy at the University of Floridia. Danielle is currently not accepting new clients as each earns her PhD in Art Therapy. She is an accomplished artist with a background in neuropsychology, business and earned a degree in Psychology and concentration in General Art from Georgia State University. She currently works with children and families as a multicultural marriage and family therapist.
Her diverse experience includes working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children from all different cultural, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Being a multiracial woman helps her connect with her clients on multiple different cultural levels. She feels privileged to work with multicultural clients who have all types of diagnoses, including (but not limited to): autism, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADHD.
She has extensive experience in working with young children and teens with symptoms of anger/aggression, impulsivity, low self-esteem, communication struggles and family/social relational conflicts. Being an MFT helps her think of the family as a system, and being able to help create positive and effective change amongst the whole family instead of just one individual.
She utilizes evidence-based client centered theories along with creative interventions. She loves being creative and using artistic techniques to join with clients and help express thoughts and emotions that might be too complex or abstract to verbalize. Interventions such as sandtray and puppet play are techniques she utilizes to help clients deal with attachment and trauma issues. She believes the use of artist creativity in therapy is essential, just as a pencil or brush is to an expressive artist.
Lindsey Richards, LAPC
Lindsey works with young adults and across the life span to adults who are young at heart. She specializes in Mental Health, Geriatric care, and Trauma. She loves to work with adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, finding purpose and meaning, recovering from the past, grief & loss, caregiver support, stress, anger, addiction, and LGBTQ concerns.
Lindsey completed her graduate coursework at the University of Florida, where she was awarded a Master of Education and Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling. Additionally, she completed a Graduate Certification in Aging and Geriatric Practice.
During her time at UF she completed her clinicals at Florida Recovery Center, while coordinating multiple research studies at UF Institute on Aging. Throughout the past decade Lindsey has worked in many levels of care, which enables her to work with individuals struggling with an array of mental health concerns.
Lindsey’s therapeutic alignment is psychodynamic, providing clients with a specialized approach tailored to their individualized needs. While incorporating a holistic mind-body-spirit framework for her clients, she’s driven by neurobiological/ psychological/ social principals. Lindsey meets her clients where they are, providing an empathetic, non-judgmental, and transparent space. Her inquisitive nature allows her to use many diverse therapeutic approaches to identify the best fit for her clients’ needs.
She’s developed a strong approach to therapy using Mindfulness, Existential Therapy, Guided Imagery, Trauma-Informed Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Office Hours:
Monday 9:00am- 8:00pm
Tuesday 3:00pm- 8:00pm
Friday 9:00am- 8:00pm
Saturday 9:00am- 1:00pm
Call: (470) 387- 1878 or Email: LRichardsCounseling@gmail.com
Last Session on weekdays is 7pm, phone calls will be returned during business hours.
Allison Bates, LAPC
Allison is licensed as a associate professional counselor and she completed her masters in Clinical Mental Health through Lubbock Christian University in May 2017. She is currently working towards her license in Professional Counseling. Allison studied play therapy specializing in children who have experienced a trauma, children who experience depression, or children who struggle at school. Prior to completing her masters degree, Allison was teacher at Creek View Elementary in Alpharetta and has experience helping children in the school system. She can help create a plan with your school counselor to best meet the needs of your child.
Allison also works with adults and teenagers who are experiencing a major life transition (divorce, recent move) as well as depression, anxiety, and grief. Clients describe Allison as warm and caring while offering hope that change is possible. Her approach centers around using awareness, practicing compassion, and acceptance of deeper emotions to create connection and change.
Krista Clark, LMFT
Krista is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing therapy services to couples, adults, and families. She works with couples experiencing issues such as infidelity, family conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Krista received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Tech and has experience working with military families and providing community based therapy services to at-risk youth.
When working with couples, Krista often uses Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. This model is based in attachment theory and helps clients to develop a deeper connection with one another as each partner’s needs are addressed.
Krista operates from a systemic perspective and seeks to help clients make change not only on an individual level, but within the systems that they live as well. Krista utilizes models such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Collaborative Therapy, and Play Therapy to help client’s reach their goals and to make positive, long-lasting changes in their lives. In addition to working with couples, Krista also works with families, adults, and teenagers experiencing a wide array of issues such as anxiety, grief/bereavement, life transitions, depression, trauma, self-worth, family conflict, and communication issues.
Krista can be reached at (404) 832-0058 or kristaclarkmft@gmail.com.
Lillie Palmer, MA
Lillie has experience providing individual counseling to teens and adults, couples counseling, family counseling, and play therapy with children. Lillie utilizes the evidence-based treatment of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, alongside a strengths-based approach, to help clients cope with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, grief, struggling relationships, faulty communication, behavioral issues, and navigating difficult life transitions (divorce, moving, death of a parent). Lillie works with clients to help them gain the power back over their circumstances and make positive changes in perspective. Lillie strives to provide all clients with an empathetic listening ear, compassionate understanding, and genuine caring attitude with the client’s best interest in mind.
Lillie utilizes play therapy and sand tray therapy to build a trusting relationship that helps children process through traumatic/difficult events, become aware and expressive of their feelings and emotions, and build upon their strengths and resiliency.
Lillie Palmer has a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through the University of the Cumberlands. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University. She is a current member of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Lillie is currently working towards her license in professional Counseling (LPC) and becoming certified as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and in Sand Tray Therapy.
Lillie can be contacted at 770-778-8175 or by email at lpalmer8304@ucumberlands.edu
Office Hours
Wednesdays 11am- 7pm
Fridays 11am- 7pm
Parisa Poorak, MA
Parisa specializes in working with adolescents and young adults going through life transitions, finding their identity, struggling with addiction, difficulty with school organization, and transitioning to adulthood. She also has a passion about working with adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, post-partum mood disorders and life adjustments. Additionally, Parisa enjoys working with families to increase communication and create a healthier home environment for the family.
As a therapist, Parisa Poorak strives to help all clients learn healthy ways of dealing with mental and emotional difficulties while utilizing multicultural counseling competencies. Dedicated to providing compassionate and wellness-focused care, Parisa utilizes Person-Centered therapy skills and CBT techniques to help clients approach topics with a variety of different outlooks, all while making sure you feel comfortable, cared for, and important.
Parisa received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Alabama in 2019. Prior to that, she graduated from Samford University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Parisa gained her experience at the University of Alabama’s Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Center where she got the opportunity to work with college students who were working through issues with drugs or alcohol. Additionally, Parisa gained experience in private practice settings working with Adolescents, Adults, and Families.
Ginny Vose
As a certified trauma therapist, Ginny’s heart is serving those who serve the community every day. She finds it an honor to work with First Responders, Fire Fighters, and Veterans. Additionally, she has a heart for those who are survivors of sexual assault. Ginny uses a three-phase approach to complex trauma and PTSD. Using CBT, DBT, CPT, EMDR, and Narrative therapy, she works to first provide skills for the clients to manage the aftereffects of trauma and to move on after the trauma. She sees clients in the Alpharetta office and online.
As a former schoolteacher, Ginny understands all the demands being made on teachers today. She knows what it is like to deal with administrative and parent demands, while trying to juggle all the needs of students. Ginny uses CBT, DBT, Narrative and Talk therapy to walk with teachers who are feeling the weight of balancing a very demanding career and a personal life.
Ginny has worked with children, teens, and their parents for over 25 years. Using Play Therapy, she enjoys working with school-aged children, teens, and their parents through the struggles of growing up. She loves to work with children who struggle with anger management, anxiety, depression, bullying, and children dealing with parental divorce. She also enjoys coaching parents through issues that arise while raising children. She sees children at the Alpharetta office and seeing parents either at the Alpharetta office or online.
Ginny has a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Upper Iowa University and a Master of Education Degree from Concordia University. As a 23-year veteran teacher, she has a pulse on the struggles that young people deal with daily. To schedule an appointment with Ginny, please call 404-834-2363.
Alexi Johnson
Alexi specialized in working with teens and adults in individual or group therapy settings. Alexi offers counseling services for anxiety, depression, trauma, sexuality concerns, and life transitions concerns such as career changes, moving, divorce, etc. Her passion and advocacy work is assisting LGBTQ individuals, and people who have experienced or are experiencing trauma such as sexual assault, domestic violence, etc. Alexi is apart of the LGBTQ community and is well versed in providing appropriate support for the community.
Alexi utilizes a combination of therapeutic approaches like walk and talk therapy, narrative, Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), solution-focused, and mindfulness therapeutic approaches. She enjoys using walk and talk therapy to help her clients get out of a typical office environment and allow nature to be a tranquil place for people to open up. Alexi uses narrative therapy in a collaborative manner to help her clients reconstruct their own life narrative to find strength in difficult situations like trauma. Alexi uses CBT to help people reconstruct their thoughts in a manner that best serves them and their mental health.
Alexi’s experience was gained in private practice and in- patient psychiatric facilities. She is a Masters Level Counselor and completed her Master of Science degree in Counseling at the University of North Georgia. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of North Georgia. Furthermore, She has taken additional classes like sexuality in counseling and intimate partner violence and sexual assault to further her knowledge and training to assist LGBTQ individuals and survivors of violence.
LORI SPENCER
Certified Special Education Teacher
Lori is the owner and founder of K-8 Tutoring and Homeschool Assistance which is partnered with Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling. She is a Georgia Certified Teacher who is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and thrive. She is a mother of two wonderful daughters, and two beautiful grandchildren. She utilizes her unconditional acceptance and patience to help each child achieve success in academics and in life.
Lori graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in special education. She has worked in the school system for 19 years: 8 years in high school, 8 years in elementary, and 3 years in middle school. She has taught self contained classrooms and has headed interrelated programs. Lori has written IEPs for 19 years and understands the complexities of the school system. She is highly qualified to assist any child with an IEP meet their goals, and increase confidence in the curriculum- all while having fun.
Lori can combine her experience and skill with a counselor to assist a child with their emotion, organization, classroom skills, and education. For more information visit her webpage or call:
K8tutoring.com
404-542-2795
ALICE HAMRICK
Masters Level Clinical Intern
Specialties: Play Therapy, Depression, Anxiety
Populations: Children, Adolescents, Adults
Alice works with children, adolescents, and young adults, struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma. She enjoys going deep with clients to gain a holistic view of an individuals lived experience. She strives to make everyone feel comfortable and accepted as she works with individuals and children of many cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Alice works to help clients achieve wellness through exploring their barriers to your goals and assisting them to achieve through coping skills and the exploration of the past.
Alice is a Masters Level Counselor, under the supervision of Erica Gregory, owner of Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling. Alice is completing her studies at Northwestern University in the Clinical Mental Health. She received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia Gwinnett College, with a concentration in child development.
