Please accept our heartfelt welcome to The Cottages Psychotherapy Center! We'd like to introduce you to our independent practitioners, so that you can get to know us and make the right choice for your continued growth and happiness! To learn more about us, you can follow the links or simply give us a call!

We are a group of committed psychotherapists using an eclectic mixture of the best state -of- the- art healing methods. We are committed to helping you figure out how to live your very best life. That means everything from helping you to understand how and why you've gotten where you are, and then introducing you to proven processes that will help you change these patterns and live the life you long to live.




Joel Rachelson, Ph.D.

770-458-7522
joelrachelsonphd.com

The goal of my psychotherapy practice is to help you understand yourself, feel better and get along with others. The key ingredients for happiness and grace.
Yet what kind of experience and training did you get in having these ingredients for happiness? So is it any wonder you might be struggling to be happy in some areas in your life? Achieving happiness is relatively simple, not necessarily easy but incredibly useful. It requires commitment, courage, and willingness. But what better thing to be the object of your efforts than your own inner and outer well being. The goal of this website and my psychotherapy practice is to help you understand yourself, feel better and get along with others. The key ingredients for happiness and grace.


Kay Starr Rachelson, L.C.S.W

770-458-7522 or www.kayrachelson.com

Kay Rachelson is a wise and intuitive psychotherapist who teaches the keys to understanding yourself. She specializes in work with relationship issues, loves working with couples, and with any type of relational problems, whether with family, friends, coworkers or significant others. Kay will help you sort through the beliefs and behaviors that either work for you, or don't work for you anymore.

Therapy is a place where you can come and totally focus on your self, your life, your beliefs, your unconscious and conscious agendas. Depression and sadness and fear and confusion come in many different packages. So does longing, and a striving toward more meaningful love, self fulfillment and happiness. You deserve to live your very best life. To have fulfilling social and leisure time.. To love yourself and enjoy your own life, your own journey, your own special story.Therapy is a place where you can focus, get support, teaching, and find your answers.

Melissa Beddingfield, MA, LPC
404-642-5099

As a licensed professional counselor, I work with clients to help them gain a more positive sense of well-being within themselves and in their lives. I obtained a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2002. Since that time I have assisted people in addressing many different problems to include depression, anxiety, life transition issues, relational concerns, self-esteem, addiction, grief and loss, and abuse. I also have a specialty certification in addiction and have worked with many individuals in recovery and/or family members of recovering persons.

So, you are probably wondering how do I help people with their concerns. I believe that the relationship between psychotherapist and client is a vital part of the change that can occur in therapy. It is a relationship of equals wherein you will share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences and I will use my knowledge and experience to guide the process. I am active in therapy and by that I mean that I will share with you what I think, help you to trust your own inner wisdom, and gently guide you to fully express and experience your feelings in our sessions. My therapeutic approach is eclectic and utilizes client-centered, experiential and cognitive therapies. I know that it takes courage to begin the process of psychotherapy because I have traveled my own journey towards healing. It is my own exploration of self and integration of new understanding that continues to enhance my interactions with clients. You may take a look at my website for more information or give me a call. Daytime and evening appointments are available.

Louisa N. DiLeone, LAPC
404-695-8467
www.louisadileone.com

I am a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia (License #APC002259) offering psychotherapy to individuals and couples. I am practicing under the supervision of Donald Durkee, LPC (License #LPC003016).

Deeply committed to my work, I offer an environment that is non-judgmental and accepting. I place importance on meeting my clients where they are and I like to work together to help them gain insight, strength, and valuable life skills. I specialize in relationship and intimacy concerns, sexual difficulties, depression, and anxiety.

What to expect:
In sessions, patterns that have hindered you from achieving the success you desire in your relationships will be identified. I can help you find ways to change those patterns so that you are more comfortable with yourself and the choices that you make. I feel that it is important to do all of this collaboratively and at a pace that is comfortable for you. My professional approach is direct and you can expect that I will be honest, supportive, and promote a hopeful outlook in addressing your needs. Please call me for a free phone consultation (404-695-8467). Daytime, evening and weekend appointments are available.


Marzena Holly, LAPC

(404) 543-9655
http://www.marzenahollylapc.com/

Whether you are looking for a safe place to express your thoughts and feelings, are in a midst of personal struggles, want to get treatment for an illness, or looking for guidance in maintenance of your recovery, I would welcome the opportunity to work with you. I have been in practice for the past three years focusing my attention on working with adolescents and adults experiencing mental illness, especially psychotic disorders e.g., schizophrenia, mood disorders e.g., depression and bipolar disorders, and traumatic disorders e.g., PTSD or dissociative disorders. During my practice, I have developed a special interest in working with clients who discover that traumatic events, such as childhood abuse or neglect, appear to be directly related to their present struggles. In result, I find myself extremely successful working with clients experiencing traumatic and personality difficulties. I work together with my clients to achieve the optimum state of well-being. "Coping" will no longer be a part of the vocabulary allowing room for a healthy and fulfilled life. Clients can count on my honesty and ongoing support. Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments are available.

I am Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia (License # APC001863) providing psychotherapy services in individual and group settings. I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from the Kennesaw State University in 2005 and Master’s of Science degree in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University in 2007. I am under the supervision of Christopher Cline, LCSW (License #CSW003590).



Jackie Johnson, MA, LAPC
(404) 723-5192
http://www.jackie-johnson.com

I have experience working with individuals struggling with social anxiety and anxiety as a result of traumatic experience. I also have successfully helped individuals who suffered from mild to severe depression and relationship distress. Other issues that I have assisted with include body image concerns, self-esteem and assertiveness. My style is creative and collaborative. I strive to help my clients find their own answers while giving honest feedback, support, and providing tools that will help. I like to use creative interventions that are tailored to client's needs. I believe that each person holds the key to their own happiness and mental health.

I am a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia (License #APC002302). I received my Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology from Georgia State University in 2005 and my Master's of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University in 2008. I have an additional certification in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. I am receiving supervision from Ljubica Blaze Malinajdovska, Ph.D, LPC (License #LPC004614).


Shaneka McClarty, LPC
404-421-0069
www.therapygirl.net


Shaneka is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in counseling and psychotherapy for domestic violence, depression, relationship problems, sexual abuse, anger/stress management and other personal concerns. Shaneka knows American Sign Language which allows her to provide services to the hearing impaired. She has worked for 12 years in the social services/mental health field. Shaneka received her Bachelor of Arts from Stillman College and Master of Arts (Psychology) from Argosy University.

Shaneka offers a safe and nurturing environment to help her clients achieve their goals for growth and stability.




Sandra Petrakis-Childs, L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T
770-458-8909
Sandra.Petrakis@yahoo.com

I have been in Private Practice for 25 years. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work under a Family Systems Model of therapy. I have a general practice working with individuals, couples and families struggling with life cycle issues as well as more serious issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.
In addition,I have an expertise in treating Eating Disorders: Bulimia, Anorexia and Binge Eating Disorder. I have been working with this population since I began my practice.
Recently, because of a family member experiencing a physical disability, I have developed an interest and expertise working with individuals and families
dealing with physical disabilities, most specifically, Spinal Cord Injuries.
I accept some insurance and work on a Sliding Scale.




Gordon Shippey, MA, LAPC, NCC
(404) 530-9057
http://gordonshippey.com


It is my heartfelt belief that everyone deserves to live a happy and fulfilled life-and that this is an achievable goal. This means you! No matter what may have stopped you in the past, therapy is a place where you can make a fresh start. We will work together to understand your life story, your strengths and weaknesses, elements of your personality that may have tripped you up in the past. In our sessions, you will learn and practice strategies and techniques tailored to address your specific issues. Living fully isn't a mystery when you understand yourself, when you know the tricks, and when you have a caring, knowledgeable therapist as your guide.

I have had the privilege to counsel clients struggling with alcohol and drug abuse and addiction, depression, anxiety, and grief. Other clients have shared with me their difficulty controlling anger, managing their time, parenting their children, excelling in their studies, and coping with their parents, siblings, and partners. I have counseled both individuals and couples, adolescents and adults. I welcome your call and look forward to helping you live a life you love.

I am practicing under the supervision of Trudy Post Strunk ( LPC #365, LMFT #158).