LGBT therapists in Athens, GA

Is your life stressful and overwhelming? Are you ready to break self-destructive patterns and addictions? If your answer is yes, then help is at hand. Goal Focus Counseling Services (GFPS) incorporates faith along with psychodynamic intervention to give you an effective plan of action. Individualized attention is given to address persistent personal, relationship and work concerns. You and your family can express your feelings privately with someone who is supportive and non-judgmental. Our objective is to focus on goals to maximize your therapeutic experience. With over 20 yers. experience, we now offer video/phone sessions.

I bring both clinical expertise and real-world experience into our work together. I understand that many people come to therapy feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start and I meet clients with patience, respect, and honesty.

I believe therapy should feel collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in safety. I don’t rush the process or expect clients to have everything figured out. We move at a pace that feels sustainable, while still working toward meaningful change.

Clients should also know that I value direct communication and transparency. I will offer reflections and tools when helpful, but I will always honor your autonomy and lived experience. I do not believe in pathologizing survival responses, especially when they are shaped by trauma, systemic stress, or long-term caregiving roles.

Above all, my goal is to create a space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered, a space where you can breathe, reflect, and begin to shift from surviving to living with greater clarity and intention.

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.

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.

I am a queer-identified African American cisgender woman. My pronouns are she/her. I hold a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling degree. I have over 12 years of experience effectively treating mental health and substance abuse concerns in LGBTQIA2S+ persons (sex positive; kink affirming), BIPOC and other PGM folx, and femme-identified persons.

Welcome! My name is Dr. Natalia Kuzmina, PhD. I hold a LMFT/LCMFT license in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Kansas. I earned my PhD. in Couple and Family Therapy from Kansas State University and my Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University.

I was born and raised in one of Nigeria’s vibrant and bustling cities, where I learned the values of community, resilience, and compassion from an early age. Inspired by a deep desire to make a difference in people’s lives, I pursued my education in health care. This journey has been a blessing and a privilege, allowing me to work in health care and provide care for the people I love and serve.

My family and I have built a home filled with love and laughter. They bring joy and inspiration to my life every day. I'm excited to support my clients in bringing that same love and joy and laughter back into their own lives.

I work with individuals, couples, and families facing relationship strain, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, and family conflict. I’m especially passionate about helping you better understand yourself and your patterns in relationships so you can create meaningful, lasting change in your everyday life.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor, I believe that a warm, non-judgmental connection is the foundation of meaningful healing. Reaching out for support takes courage, and my goal is to walk alongside you in a collaborative, person-centered space. While I bring extensive clinical experience to my practice and am currently completing my PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, my approach is always human-first and tailored to your unique needs. I also specialize in play therapy, offering creative and developmentally appropriate tools for younger clients to safely process their emotions. Whatever your goals may be, I am here to support and empower you every step of the way.

Hello, and welcome. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based care. My professional experience includes working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, grief and loss, trauma, and self-esteem challenges. I recognize that every person's story is unique, and I tailor treatment to meet each client's specific needs, strengths, and goals.

I earned my education from the University of Georgia, where I developed a strong foundation in social work practice, mental health treatment, and advocacy. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Through the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques and other evidenced based practices, I assist those seeking a brand-new start to let go and accept their past so that they can invest in their future. While having a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology, has provided me with the education to engage in expert counseling strategies, it has been the 20 years of hands on experience that has given me the emotional tools to help those take that first step to a new beginning.