Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Athens, GA covered by Aetna

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 15 years.

Welcome, and thank you for considering me as a partner in your wellness journey! My therapeutic style is warm, gentle, and supportive, while also being direct and accountability focused. I believe meaningful change happens when compassion and honesty work together. In our time together, we will explore what’s getting in the way of your well-being and identify practical, sustainable ways to improve your daily functioning and overall quality of life.

With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, I bring a grounded, steady presence to the therapeutic space. I support clients through life transitions, emotional challenges, and periods of feeling stuck, always meeting you where you are while helping you move toward where you want to be. Therapy with me is collaborative, intentional, and centered on your goals, your values, and your lived experience. Together, we’ll work toward clarity, resilience, and growth at a pace that feels both supportive and empowering.

Hi, I’m Shanae Benito, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with support, compassion, and practical tools for change. I work with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, stress, and life transitions. My approach combines evidence-based practices including TF-MCBT (Trauma-Focused Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) while creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and seen. I believe healing is not about having all the answer. It's about taking the next step forward together.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, trauma, or struggling with substance use? You may feel stuck, emotionally drained, or unsure how to move forward. I work with individuals across Georgia who are navigating depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, and substance use challenges. Together, we create a safe, supportive space where you can better understand what you're experiencing, build coping skills, and begin moving toward a more stable, balanced, and fulfilling life.

Choosing the right therapist is a significant step toward the life you want to lead, and I’m so glad you’re here.

With over 20 years of experience in the social work field my approach is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: I want to see you win. I don't just view therapy as a clinical process; I see it as a partnership designed to bridge the gap between where you are now and the fullness of your potential.

I am a licensed professional counselor with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I work with all ages, but my focus is working with adults. I have been working in the mental health field for over 15 years. I also have experience and a passion for autism and wrote the book African American Fathers Raising An Autistic Child.

​I am experienced and trained in assisting individuals of all ages in dealing with the most unfortunate life transitions. I offer morning, afternoon, and some evening appointments.

I also offer life coaching while focusing on personal empowerment, motivation, and strategies to define and reach your dreams!

Are you ready to take your life back? Let's do this together!

I'm a licensed counselor and scholar-practitioner with more than 29 years of experience providing behavioral health care across a wide range of settings. In 2009 I founded BSmith Consulting Group, LLC, where I work with individuals navigating adjustment issues, mental health disorders, and co-occurring (dual diagnosis) concerns. Alongside my clinical work, I provide employee assistance support to individuals, professionals, and organizations, and I contribute to the field through clinical supervision, training of fellow mental health professionals, and presenting at local, state, and national platforms. My goal is always to meet you where you are and support your long-term wellness.

Seeking therapy can feel vulnerable, and choosing the right therapist is an important step. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported — without judgment. I believe meaningful change happens through a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a background in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My experience in private practice and community mental health has allowed me to support individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and concerns related to identity and self-worth.

My therapeutic style is empowering, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I tailor treatment to each person because no two stories are the same. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, Person-Centered Therapy, mindfulness-based strategies, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Together, we’ll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build practical coping skills, and deepen self-awareness, while also exploring underlying emotions and past experiences that shape your present challenges.

I work with adults, couples, and families. My areas of focus include anxiety and chronic stress, depression and mood concerns, trauma and PTSD, relationship and attachment issues, life transitions, self-esteem, identity development, burnout, and compassion fatigue. I strive to provide an inclusive, affirming space for individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Clients often describe me as approachable, thoughtful, and grounded.

Outside of work, I value time with family, traveling, fitness, creativity, and continued personal growth. I believe in practicing the same self-awareness and balance that I encourage in my clients.

My qualifications and competence in the area of Counseling are founded on my education, work experience, and additional training in areas relating to the field of counseling. I have over five (5) years’ experience providing services to a wide range of populations including adolescents, adults and couples in school, outpatient, nonprofit, and virtual settings. My specialties include providing counseling services to adults, adolescents, and families surrounding depression, anxiety, trauma, life changes, and emotional regulation.

You can be successful, dependable, and still feel exhausted.

Many of the people I work with are carrying careers, relationships, family responsibilities, caregiving, or the pressure of trying to hold everything together for everyone else. On the outside things may look fine, but internally you're overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, or disconnected from yourself.

I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, grief, and life transitions. Therapy with me is a place to slow down, make sense of what you're carrying, and develop practical tools that help life feel more manageable again.

Hi, I’m Cindy and I want you to know this: you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply tired of carrying it all, therapy can be a space to exhale, reflect, and gently begin again.

I come to this work not only as a clinician but as a human being shaped by my own lived experience. I’m a proud Trinidadian-American who migrated to the U.S. at a young age, and I know what it’s like to navigate different worlds, expectations, and identities. That background helps me show up with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and deep respect for the unique path each client walks.

I’m currently pursuing my Doctorate in Social Work at Simmons University, and my clinical experience has focused on supporting adults through anxiety, trauma, life transitions, burnout, and issues related to identity and belonging. I have a special heart for clients who are used to being the strong ones, the caregivers, the first-gen trailblazers, the ones who hold space for everyone else.

In our work together, you can expect warmth, honesty, and collaboration. I use a relational and strengths-based approach, integrating tools from CBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, but more importantly, I meet you where you are, honoring your pace and your story.

This is your space to feel seen, to feel safe, and to explore what healing could look like for you. If you’re ready to begin, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.