Christy Burkett, LPC, Founder/Director
All of us benefit from having a safe place to explore our lives without judgement. The relationship between my client and me is the cornerstone of the therapeutic process. I listen carefully to really hear the meaning in your stories so that together we can find the most effective paths for your personal goals.
Christy can be reached at
christy@gaiacounseling.com
Madeline thompson Smith, APC
I work with children, teens, and adults to process their experiences, express their emotions, and work towards their goals in counseling. When working with children, I utilize child-centered play therapy, incorporating therapeutic techniques into play - your child’s natural way of expressing themselves and processing the world. I particularly enjoy working with parents of children and teens with challenging, explosive, or oppositional behaviors.
Madeline can be reached at
madeline@gaiacounseling.com
Joanne Charles, APC
I work with children and adolescents, working to address anxiety, depression, bullying, self-harming behaviors, low self -esteem, child abuse, sexual trauma, difficulty regulating emotions, and ADHD. I also love working with women across the life span around concerns such as motherhood and personal life balance, loss of identity, emotional burnout, and with BIPOC women, navigating professional settings and over performance challenges.
Joanne can be reached at joanne@gaiacounseling.com
Markie Nickens, LMSW
I specialize in supporting teens who are experiencing a variety of clinical challenges, such as depression, anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. I enjoy working with clients during these formative years of their lives, when they may be questioning their sense of self or place in the world, changing relationship and friendship dynamics, and managing increasing independence and autonomy. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Strengths-Based Perspective, and Expressive Arts in my practice.
Markie can be reached at
markie@gaiacounseling.com
Miranda barzey, APC
I specialize in child centered play therapy with young children ages 2-7 and person centered counseling for adults 20-40. I help clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, neurodivergence, gender and sexual identity exploration, suicide, coping with oppression, and adjusting to life changes. My door is wide open to anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodivergent folks, and polyamorous individuals/families, or anyone looking to do the brave work of understanding themselves more deeply.
Miranda can be reached at
miranda@gaiacounseling.com
Shannon Kintz, ATR
Creating gives those engaging in the process their own opportunity to develop and strengthen that voice. My goal is to help guide you through the creative process, so you can comfortably express yourself in a safe and non-judgmental environment. This connection with art as a means of expression became the driving force for my career in art therapy.
Shannon can be reached at
shannon@gaiacounseling.com
ugonna love, APC
My goal in session is to meet my clients where they are, and provide a safe space where authentic conversations can be reached. My area of specialty is with adolescents, teens and families; providing individual, group, and parent sessions(filial therapy) to my clients. My focus areas are play therapy, trauma informed care, anxiety/depression, divorce/incarceration, faith-based and multicultural counseling.
Ugonna can be reached at
ugonna@gaiacounseling.com
Leah Kelley, LMSW
My goal is to meet each person where they are, to help them feel heard, to grow in self-compassion, and learn to validate their emotions. I have experience working with youth and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, body image, trauma recovery, grief, and LGBTQIA+ and gender identity.
Leah can be reached at
leah@gaiacounseling.com
Tamara Hamilton, lcSw, group coordinator
Tamara Hamilton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose career has spanned more than three decades. For the past ten years, she has served on the administration team as school counselor and director of the Cliff Valley Institute at Cliff Valley School, a pre-K through 8 progressive independent school in Atlanta. Tamara is a frequent consultant and invited speaker regarding various child development topics.
Tamara can be reached at tamarah@gaiacounseling.com
Tamara varnado, LMSW
For a parent, it takes great courage, and compassion to seek professional help for your child. I consider it a distinct honor to be able to be part of the journey of a child as they bloom into their wonderful selves, and I am grateful for the potential to become part of your proverbial “village.”
Tamara can be reached at tamara@gaiacounseling.com
Elizabeth Ocheltree, lpc
I believe that health and wholeness are fostered by authentic connection- to self, to others, and to the larger web of life. From my perspective, the therapeutic process is about intentionally creating and experiencing connections, especially to one's self, that support the development of resilience and empowerment, and ultimately healing and thriving.
Elizabeth can be reached at elizabeth@gaiacounseling.com
Nathaniel Flowers, MS
Regardless of age or identity, our story doesn’t always go the way we expect. We will find ourselves confronted by challenges, new or old, that try to disrupt our story. But no matter where you are in your personal story and the challenges that you face, no matter where you’ve been, and no matter the direction everything seems to be going, nothing is too “big” or too “small” to seek help or guidance.
Nathaniel can be reached at
nathaniel@gaiacounseling.com
Katie Bell, PhD, LPC, ACS, NCC
I have a thriving passion in helping couples and individuals alike reach their health and healing goals as we face life’s challenges together. Using a person-centered lens with a holistic, and evidence-based approach, I strive to fully attend to each client’s needs, beautifully interweaving clear presence with practiced skill.
Katie can be reached at
katie@gaiacounseling.com
Colin Freeland, APC, NCC, MAC, CACII
When life feels painful it’s easy to feel you are in it alone. You don’t have to be. Therapy is place where you can partner with someone who knows how to help you make your life better. I deeply believe in the healing power of connection and together we will explore how to build something new in your life in a way that honors who you are and how you work.
Colin can be reached at colin@gaiacounseling.com
Mitsuko ito, Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner
Born in the US, raised in Japan, I enjoy bridging or exploring the East & West, the traditional & modern, the past, current and future, entry & exit points of life, the Yin and the Yang, the cycle and balance, and so on. I am a trauma sensitive, Polyvagal informed, death positive, birth doula trained, mother of 4. I am an Empowerment, Embodiment & Holistic Breakthrough Coach, a Tapping Circle facilitator and regular workshop presenter on stress management at various campuses.
Mitsuko can be reached at mitsuko@gaiacounseling.com
Carrie Fox, Master’s Level Intern
I chose this work because I believe that by helping children, parents, and families improve connection, communication, and a sense of belonging and safety, I can make a significant impact on our community’s mental health and overall well-being. I’m currently a student intern in my last year of the Master’s in Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University New England. I hold a BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and through my love of literature and stories, I pay special attention to how different aspects of our own life stories can limit or expand our possibilities.
Carrie can be reached at carrie@gaiacounseling.com
rebekah baldwin, practice manager
Rebekah is the Practice Manager at Gaia Counseling & Wellness. She is dedicated to ensuring our client’s experience with Gaia is one of ease and clarity. Rebekah is working towards a Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of West Georgia. When not at Gaia, she can be found gardening, hiking, reading or cuddling with her cats.
Rebekah can be reached at rebekah@gaiacounseling.com
Loretta, Canine Therapy Assistant
Loretta was rescued from the side of the road in Whitfield County, GA by the wonderful team at Releash Atlanta when she was a young puppy. Her rescuers found out her mother is a Maltese Terrier and her father is a Chihuahua. Loretta joined Gaia Counseling in 2018 just after she was nurtured back to health by her foster family at Releash.
Loretta specializes in greeting, loving and licking clients of all ages. She earned her credentials as a Nationally Registered Service Dog in May 2018. Besides her work at Gaia, Loretta enjoys being outside in the woods chasing squirrels, playing with other dogs and climbing mountains.
Mr. Beef, ATD Therapy Dog
Mr. Beef is a rescue from the Houston Floods of 2018 by a team of Red Cross First Responder Counselors and Katie Bell. Mr. Beef is a certified therapy animal through the Alliance Therapy Dogs of Georgia, and he has been visiting Gaia Counseling since 2020. Mr. Beef specializes in providing long loving stares, tender nudges, and lots of beefy love. In Mr. Beef’s free time, he enjoys being read to by students at local libraries, visiting schools, nursing homes, camps, and hospitals, and snoring in the nearest comfy nook, or lap, as he dreams of carrots and long walks on the beach.