WHO WE ARE
9 Highly Recommended Atlanta In-Person Therapists
Do you feel lost, overwhelmed, or lonely? Are you in the midst of a life transition, like becoming a mother? Are you looking for someone who will listen without judgment, understand what you’re going through, and help you feel more hopeful about the future?
Whatever brings you to in-person therapy, you deserve to feel heard, understood, and supported. You don’t have to deal with it all on your own. Talking with a therapist can be a first step toward healing and meaningful change.
At Steady Hope Counseling, our Atlanta in-person therapists offer a welcoming space to talk openly about what’s troubling you. With experience in trauma, somatic healing, and relationship dynamics, we approach therapy as a true partnership. If you come to us feeling empty of hope, we’re here to hold that hope for you until you’re ready to rediscover your own grounding.
Meet our team below to find the right partner for your journey, or take your first step today:
Jump to a therapist
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Best for trauma and suicidal thoughts or self-injurious behavior: Lauren Jarrell, M.S. LPC
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Best for perinatal mental health and ADHD: Brenley Wiley, M.A., LMFT, PMH-C
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Best for trauma recovery and life transitions: Phylicia Clemons, MBA, MA, LAPC
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Best for multicultural therapy and Third Culture Kids: Amanda Peters, M.A., APC
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Best for maternal mental health and trauma recovery: Sam Merrill, M.A., LPC, NCC
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Best for grief, loss, and women's mental health: Jenny Romano, M.A., LPC, NCC
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Best for anxiety, depression, and perfectionism: Leila DiGregorio, M.A. Intern
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Best for OCD and child and teen therapy: McCayla Berry, M.A., LPC
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Best for high-achieving anxiety and mothers: Kim DeRamus Lareau, LPC, CPCS, PMH-C, NCC
Not sure which in-person therapist is right for you? Contact us for a free consultation, so we can help match you!
Meet our Atlanta in-person therapy specialists
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Lauren Jarrell
Best for:
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Trauma
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Suicidal thoughts or self-injurious behavior
Lauren believes that everyone deserves to feel loved, safe, and fully supported in a space where they can heal and grow. Using a collaborative, attachment-based approach, she helps adolescents and young adults navigate trauma, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or self-injurious behavior. Together, you can explore past experiences, better understand your feelings and actions, and build coping strategies that support healing and resilience.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In-person therapy?: Yes (Kirkwood Office)
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Brenley Wiley
Best for:
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ADHD
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Perinatal mental health
Brenley works with pregnant women, mothers, children, teens, and young adults facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and changes in their relationships or sense of identity. With specialized training in perinatal mental health, trauma-focused CBT, and play therapy, she helps clients understand their feelings, work through difficult experiences, and find ways to cope with life's changes. Her warm, person-centered approach gives you space to talk about the thoughts and feelings you find hard to share, without fear of judgment.
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Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Perinatal Mental Health Certified Provider
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Kirkwood and Oakhurst)
Phylicia Clemons
Best for:
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Trauma recovery
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Life transitions
Phylicia believes your past doesn’t have to define your future. She helps teens and young adults navigate anxiety, life transitions, and trauma recovery. With training in EMDR and trauma-focused CBT, she offers a warm, collaborative space where you can explore how past experiences shape your present, reconnect with your body, and move from survival mode toward calm, safety, and connection. When appropriate, she also welcomes faith into the healing process.
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Credentials: Master's Level Clinician
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Decatur)
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Amanda Peters
Best for:
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Multicultural therapy
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Third Culture Kids
Amanda understands how past experiences and family relationships can shape your sense of identity, belonging, and emotional well-being. With an attachment-based, culturally sensitive approach to multicultural therapy, she helps you work through anxiety and depression, explore trauma, and develop healthier coping skills. She also has a particular interest in supporting Third Culture Kids and young adults in their life transitions.
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Credentials: Master Level Clinician
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Decatur)
Sam Merrill
Best for:
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Maternal mental health
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Trauma recovery
Sam helps women navigate maternal mental health challenges, past trauma, and relational wounds. As a fellow mom, she understands how the demands of motherhood can bring old pain to the surface. Her attachment-based approach combines EMDR and Parts Work to help you process trauma, feel understood, and become more present in your life. She also welcomes conversations about faith and spirituality.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Decatur)
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Jenny Romano
Best for:
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Women's mental health
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Grief and loss
Jenny offers a compassionate space for women who are used to holding everything together but find themselves feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. Drawing on trauma- and attachment-informed care, she helps women navigate mental health challenges, process grief and loss, and adjust to life changes through a holistic approach that considers both mind and body.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Decatur)
Leila Digregorio
Best for:
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Anxiety and depression
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Perfectionism
Leila helps kids, teens, and young adults face anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. Building on her experience coaching young people, she takes a strengths-based, collaborative approach that uses what you already do well and helps you find practical steps forward. She also welcomes faith into therapy when it aligns with your values and goals.
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Credentials: Master's Level Counseling Intern
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Decatur & Kirkwood Office)
McCayla Berry
Best for:
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Child and teen therapy
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OCD
McCayla helps children, teens, and adults navigate anxiety, trauma, OCD, and emotional overwhelm. She builds trust and emotional safety first, using play therapy, EMDR, and creative approaches such as art and writing to help younger clients develop resilience and regulate emotions. With adults, she draws on psychodynamic and ego state work to explore how early experiences shape present-day patterns, and uses trauma-informed approaches to support clients with OCD and anxiety.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Kirkwood Office)
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Kim DeRamus Lareau
Best for:
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Mothers
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High-achieving anxiety
Kim believes trust is the foundation of meaningful therapy. She helps moms navigate their new roles and mental health and supports high-achieving women struggling with anxiety and pressure. With an attachment-based, trauma-informed approach, she offers a safe, collaborative space to explore how past experiences shape your relationships, identity, and well-being while working toward meaningful change.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, Perinatal Mental Health-Certified, National Certified Counselor
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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In person therapy?: Yes (Decatur)
What sets our practice apart from other Atlanta in-person treatment providers
Finding the right therapist is about finding a reliable partner who truly hears you. At Steady Hope Counseling, we blend deep clinical experience with a warm, collaborative approach that respects your unique story, your strengths, and the timeline you need for healing.
Here is how we support your growth:
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Care past the symptoms through a holistic approach that looks at how stress connects to your experiences, relationships, and life changes.
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Grounded, practical methods like EMDR, IFS, CBT, and somatic work that support both your mind and body.
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Real experience with your specific struggles, from deep trauma and grief to motherhood and the difficult transitions of growing up.
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A space free of judgment where you never have to prepare what to say or pretend you're okay.
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A physical boundary in our calm Decatur and Atlanta offices to give you a quiet, dedicated hour away from daily demands.
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Flexible evening and weekend availability to make getting support fit seamlessly into your schedule.
You can start with whatever is pressing on your mind today, and we’ll work together to help you find your way, your strength, and a renewed sense of hope.
Types of in-person therapy we can help with
Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
When your mind feels like it's always on—caught in cycles of overthinking, dealing with anxiety, or filled with dark thoughts—it can wear you down. We help you understand the patterns behind these struggles and develop practical ways tailored to you to manage overwhelming emotions, ease stress, and feel more grounded in your daily life.
Trauma and PTSD
Painful experiences from the past can stay trapped in your body, bringing up difficult emotions and physical reactions that disrupt your daily routine. Using proven methods like EMDR and body-based counseling, we help you feel safe in the present moment so you can process what happened and begin trauma recovery
Grief and Loss
Losing someone you love, going through big life changes, or seeing your future turn out differently than you hoped can leave you feeling lost and alone. Our therapists offer a safe, caring space where you can talk about your grief, take your time, and find a way forward.
Perinatal & Maternal Mental Health
The journey through pregnancy, postpartum life, or dealing with a difficult birth experience brings big identity changes that can feel very lonely. We share with you a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can say the hard parts of motherhood out loud and get the care you need.
Child, Teen, and Young Adult Therapy
Growing up and moving through school or college comes with intense pressures, changing friendships, and big emotional waves. We build a trusting relationship with younger clients, helping them understand their feelings, grow their self-esteem, and handle life shifts more easily.
Couples, Premarital, and Relationship Counseling
If you and your partner keep getting stuck in the same arguments, or you want to build a close, strong bond before marriage, it helps to talk about it together. We help you look at how you communicate, set healthy boundaries, and restore real closeness in your relationship.
ADHD and Executive Functioning
Living with ADHD often means fighting a daily, frustrating battle with time management, staying organized, and feeling deeply misunderstood. We help you find practical strategies that work with the way your brain functions, while embracing your neurodivergence and recognizing your strengths.
Life Transitions and Identity
Standing at a major crossroads—like changing careers, moving, or figuring out who you are in a new stage of life—can make you feel unanchored. We give you a calm space to sort through the confusion, get clear on what matters to you, and navigate life transitions with more confidence.
Women's Mental Health and Self-Esteem
Societal expectations, family roles, and life changes create the feeling of disconnect from your own worth. We focus on helping you quiet your inner critic, listen to your own needs, and build a kind, more loving relationship with yourself.
OCD and Perfectionism
Obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, and the pressure to get everything right can leave you feeling exhausted or stuck in the same loops. Our therapists help you manage OCD and perfectionism and find healthier ways to deal with uncertainty and high expectations.
Faith, Spirituality, and Cultural Identity
Your personal spiritual beliefs and cultural background are big parts of your story, not things you have to hide. We offer an open, respectful space for you to explore questions of faith, spirituality, and identity that honors your values.
Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Injurious Behavior
When you're having thoughts of suicide or urges to hurt yourself, it’s hard to see a way through what you're feeling. You don't have to face these moments alone or know how to explain them. We provide a compassionate, completely safe space to talk openly, learn how to keep yourself secure, and hold onto hope with you when it feels impossible to find it yourself.
What to expect from the therapy process
Step 1. Getting comfortable with therapy
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, so it’s normal to feel nervous before your first session. At Steady Hope, we offer a welcoming space where you can talk openly with someone who listens and understands. Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and there’s no need to prepare what to say.
Step 2. Talking about what’s troubling you
As we get to know you, we’ll explore the experiences, relationships, and beliefs that are contributing to your struggles. Your therapist will help you make sense of your feelings and recognize patterns that may not have been clear before. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, guided by your comfort and personal goals.
Step 3. Finding ways to help
Around the second or third session, we’ll work together to create a practical plan based on your needs and goals. We’ll also explore what hope looks like for you, even if it feels hard to find right now. Depending on what you’re facing, we may use somatic work, EMDR, CBT, or other trauma-informed approaches, along with coping skills you can use in everyday life.
Step 4. Working toward change
Real change takes time, and healing is a gradual process. As we continue working together, you’ll build skills to navigate difficult moments, set healthier boundaries, and reconnect with your strengths. You don’t have to have it all together to start. We’ll work with you to find the next steps, helping you feel more grounded and better equipped to handle life’s challenges.
FAQs about in-person counseling in Atlanta
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