Annika Russaw,

LPC, NCC, CAMS

Practice Owner

 

Annika is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Anger

Management Specialist (CAMS). Annika received a Bachelor of Science

Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science Degree in Community

Agency Counseling both from Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville,

Alabama). Annika has worked with several mental health agencies throughout

Metro Atlanta and has served in the capacity of Program Director, Program

Manager, Therapist and Case Manager.

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Annika specializes in individual, couples and family counseling. She has a

particular interest in working with adults who are struggling with life

transitions, personal stress, depression and anxiety. Her additional areas

of practice include anger management, relationship issues and family

dynamics.

 

Annika primarily takes a Cognitive Behavioral approach to therapy. She

believes that how we think is how we feel and how we feel is how we engage

in the world around us. Annika believes in meeting her clients where they are

and partnering with them to achieve their personal goals. Annika strives to

create a relaxed and comfortable space in which individuals can be free

to express themselves without fear of judgement. Annika works with adults

21 years of age and up. Annika is available for day and evening appointments.

 

Payments Accepted: Cash / Self-Pay Preferred

***Some Insurance Accepted

Thomas (Tom) Searcy

LPC

 

Tom has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of

Georgia since 1994, and prior to that he was licensed in the states

of Ohio and Iowa. Tom received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

from the University of Georgia and his Master’s Degree in

Counseling Psychology from West Georgia College. Tom is a member

of the LPC Association of Georgia and the Association for Humanistic

Psychology. He has over 30 years of professional experience both at inpatient

and outpatient settings. He has worked as a clinical psychologist in several

hospitals and in a variety of outpatient clinics and practices. He was a Senior

Clinical Care Manager for a large managed behavioral healthcare company

for 20 years.

 

Tom has had training, experience and expertise with a variety of treatment

approaches, but his primary approach is to provide the tools and to teach skills

that a person can use to improve his or her level of balance in regards to

mental, emotional and physical health and functioning. Underlying whatever

counseling technique Tom may use for any specific issue is a compassionate

humanistic recognition of a person’s individual experiences, rights, human

dignity and individual differences.

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Tom is a military veteran and has had significant experience working with

combat veterans and their families. He spent many years providing treatment,

education and training for PTSD, trauma and disaster recovery. 

 

Tom uses a variety of treatment types, depending upon the needs of the client.

These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy,

Behavior Modification and techniques, stress management, anger

management training, relaxation training, systematic desensitization and

guided imagery. He has many years of experience working with individuals,

couples, families and group psychotherapy.

 

As an adoptive parent, Tom (and his wife) have personal experience dealing

with adoption and attachment issues. They also have two biological children.

Tom has also provided evaluation and treatment for other populations

including victims of childhood sexual abuse, chronically mentally ill and the

homeless.   Tom works with older adolescents and adults. He is available for

day and evening appointments.

 

Payments Accepted:  Cash / Self-Pay Preferred

***Some Insurance Accepted

Benjamin Gatliff

MS, LPC, CAMS, C.Ht.

 

Benjamin is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 22 years of

experience with mental health/substance abuse treatment. He attended

Georgia College and State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in

Psychology.  He also attended Fort Valley State University to complete his

master’s degree in mental health counseling.  Benjamin has worked in

community mental health centers, prisons, jails, and mental hospitals. 

He has also volunteered with counseling, hospice, Salvation Army, and food

banks.   He creates a safe and non-judgmental environment to facilitate

personal change, insight, and healing.

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Benjamin's  theoretical approach to treatment is influenced by Cognitive-

Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing

(MI). He assists clients in exploring the results of thoughts, feelings, and

actions on the environment and sensation of personal safety and fulfillment. 

He helps to empower clients to direct their process of personal change.  He

employs an approachable, humorous, and open-minded style of therapy based

on learning and meeting client needs for treatment.  Benjamin says "I do not

judge. I am willing to explore the client’s needs as stated by the client. I believe

that all individuals are of significant worth and must be valued in the

therapeutic healing process and change for emotional issues."  

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Payments Accepted: Cash / Self-Pay Preferred

***Some Insurance Accepted