Life can feel like too much sometimes—emotions that seem impossible to manage, relationships that leave you feeling disconnected, or patterns you desperately want to change but don't know how. Maybe you've been told you're "too sensitive" or feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells in your own life.
At Steady Hope Counseling, our DBT-trained therapists in the Atlanta area get it. We're here to help you build the skills to navigate intense emotions, strengthen your relationships, and create a life that actually feels worth living. Meet our team below, learn about our approach and what sets our practice apart, and connect with us when you’re ready to begin.
Jump to a therapist
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Recommended for bipolar & personality disorders: Fern Lima
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Recommended for self-harm & suicidal thoughts: Lauren Jarrell
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Recommended for couples & relationship issues: Angie Hartley
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Recommended for multicultural teens & adults: Amanda Peters
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Recommended for women & maternal mental health: Jenny Romano
Meet our Atlanta DBT therapists
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Fern Lima
Recommended for bipolar & personality disorders
Fern brings a laid-back, approachable presence to her work with clients navigating bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and the anxiety that often comes with them. She's passionate about helping you understand your patterns and build skills that actually work in real life, not just in theory.
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Offers DBT therapy ✓
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Credentials: Master of Social Work
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Clientele: Adolescents and young adults (ages 8-30)
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
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Lauren Jarrell
Recommended for self-harm & suicidal thoughts
Lauren specializes in working with teens and young adults who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and self-injurious behaviors. Her experience in a psychiatric residential treatment facility has equipped her with the skills to hold space for life's most challenging moments while helping you develop healthier ways to cope.
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Offers DBT therapy ✓
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Credentials: Licensed Associate Professional Counselor
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Clientele: Adolescents, young adults, and adults
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
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Angie Hartley
Recommended for couples & relationship issues
Angie combines her training in emotionally focused therapy (EFT) with DBT to help partners feel safe, heard, and connected again—even when things feel hopeless. She has extensive experience helping couples break out of cycles of shutting down and blowing up. Angie also works with individuals who want to improve their relationships.
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Offers DBT therapy ✓
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Credentials: Associate Professional Counselor
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Clientele: Adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, and families
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
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Amanda Peters
Recommended for multicultural teens & adults
Amanda has a special heart for Third Culture Kids and multicultural individuals navigating the complexity of shifting between different cultures and identities. She uses DBT skills alongside attachment-based therapy to help teens and adults find belonging and build emotional regulation tools that honor their unique experiences.
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Offers DBT therapy ✓
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Credentials: Master Level Clinician
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Clientele: Adolescents, young adults, and adults
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
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Jenny Romano
Recommended for women & maternal mental health
Jenny brings warmth and deep empathy to her work with women navigating life transitions, maternal mental health challenges, and the weight of grief and loss. She integrates DBT skills with other trauma-informed methods to help women reconnect with themselves and build lives that feel meaningful and grounded.
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Offers DBT therapy ✓
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
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Clientele: Young adults and adults
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Location: Decatur, GA 30030
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Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
Who dialectical behavioral therapy is for
DBT can be incredibly helpful if you're experiencing:
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Intense emotions that feel impossible to control or understand
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Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or urges to hurt yourself when overwhelmed
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Relationship patterns where you're either clinging too tightly or pushing people away
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Feeling like you're constantly walking on eggshells or living in crisis mode
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Struggling with impulsive behaviors that you regret later
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Difficulty managing anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional spirals
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Personality disorders, bipolar disorder, or other diagnoses where emotions feel unmanageable
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A sense that your emotions control you instead of the other way around
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Trouble identifying what you're actually feeling in the moment
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Relationship conflicts where you shut down or explode and can't find a middle ground
It’s okay if you’re unsure whether DBT is the right fit for you. Contact us for a free consultation so we can discuss your situation directly and give you our professional recommendation.
What sets us apart from other Atlanta DBT therapy providers
At Steady Hope, we go beyond simply teaching you skills from a workbook. In addition to equipping you with the tools you need to thrive, we walk beside you as real humans who genuinely care about your story.
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Diverse, specialized team: Our therapists bring training in trauma-informed care, IFS, EMDR, perinatal mental health, and more—so you get DBT plus the other support you need.
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Flexible scheduling: We offer evening and weekend appointments, because life doesn't happen on a 9-to-5 schedule.
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Hybrid options: Choose in-person sessions in Decatur or virtual therapy throughout GA, FL, and SC.
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Holistic approach: We see you as a whole person—not just a diagnosis or a set of symptoms.
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Collaborative community: Therapy is a partnership here, and we value your expertise on your own life.
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Woman- & mother-owned: Our practice was founded by a therapist who truly understands life transitions, maternal mental health, and the real demands of balancing it all.
We combine clinical excellence with authentic, grounded care, so you get evidence-based skills delivered in a space that actually feels safe and human—never cold and clinical.
What to expect from the therapy process
Step 1. We'll start by building safety and trust
Before diving into skills, we focus on creating a genuine connection where you feel heard, seen, and understood, because that foundation is what makes everything else possible.
Step 2. You'll learn concrete skills you can use right away
We'll teach you practical tools for managing emotions, navigating relationships, tolerating distress, and staying present: skills you can actually use when life gets hard.
Step 3. We'll explore patterns and where they come from
Together, we'll look at how your past experiences and relationships have shaped your current responses, helping you understand yourself with compassion instead of judgment.
Step 4. You'll practice integrating what you learned into your real life
Therapy isn't just about talking—it's about making real change. We'll work together to help you use your new skills in your actual relationships, work, and day-to-day moments until they become second nature.
FAQs about dialectical behavior therapy
Start working with an Atlanta DBT therapist today
You don't have to keep white-knuckling your way through life or feeling controlled by your emotions. Our team at Steady Hope is ready to help you build the skills and self-understanding you need to actually thrive—not just survive. Let's find the right DBT therapist for your story.