Rachel is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia (#LPC009602) and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. A native to the Atlanta area, Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Georgia. She earned a Master of Education and Education Specialist degree in School Counseling from Georgia State University.
After working in a school setting for over 10 years, Rachel now uses her extensive knowledge of children, teens, and families in her own practice. She is uniquely situated to understand the difficulties that exist both at home and at school and how those difficulties can often intersect.
Rachel believes that all children and parents have the potential to learn skills and overcome emotional obstacles resulting in a calmer and a more balanced life.
Alexis is a licensed master social worker in the state of Georgia (#MSW010597) with varied experience working with young people across various settings. Born in New York to Jamaican parents, Alexis later moved to Georgia, eventually attending the University of Georgia for both her undergraduate and graduate education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Master’s in Social Work, as well as a certificate in marriage and family therapy.
Alexis has worked with multiple private agencies conducting community based counseling with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. In addition to her work at Root and Blossom Counseling, she currently serves individuals of all ages in inpatient acute psychiatric care. She focuses largely on teenagers and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-harm, as well as various other concerns.
Alexis believes in utilizing a collaborative approach which empowers the client regardless of age during the therapeutic process. She is confident in all clients’ abilities to persevere and become the best version of themselves.
Karen is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia (#APC007593), a Positive Discipline Parent Educator, and a Certified Child Life Specialist. Karen received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development with a concentration in Child Life from Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University.
Karen’s professional career has spanned over 20 years, affording her the opportunity to work with children, adolescents and their families in hospital, school, and private practice settings. Karen primarily offers play-based counseling services at the Root and Blossom office; and through partnerships with First Presbyterian Preschool and The Preschool at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, school-based play therapy.
In addition to providing support to children and adolescents Karen also recognizes the importance of partnering with parents and caregivers. In this role, Karen works directly with parents and caregivers to meet their individual needs by helping parents develop strategies and grow parenting skills that will enhance the efficacy of the work happening in the playroom.
Based on the personality and developmental needs of your child, a safe place may be created through play therapy or more traditional talk therapy. A variety of modalities are used to meet the unique needs of every child.
Parenting is hard and can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Whether you are dealing with a specific issue or just need to consult to make sure you are on the right path with your child, parenting coaching and consultation can be an invaluable tool. I can give you insight into your child’s behavior and develop strategies to help you feel confident in your parenting.
Teachers and school administrators may lack the specific knowledge to best handle behavioral and mental health issues your child is exhibiting at school. As your child’s therapist, I can help to bridge that knowledge gap and work collaboratively with the school based team to help best support your child. This may include phone consultation, classroom observations, or attending school based meetings.
As a CPCS in the state of Georgia, I can provide supervision services to those seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Please fill out the form below to reach out for more information.
Ready, Set, Grow, will help prepare your child for their kindergarten adventure! Children will learn social and friendship, classroom readiness, and executive function skills all through fun, play based activities.
Age: Rising Kindergarteners
Dates/Time: July 17-July 21, 8:30-12:30
Cost: $600
You Grow Girl will help girls build self-esteem, friendship skills, and ways to navigate social drama through art, play, and discussion based activities.
Age: Rising 3rd-5th Graders
Dates/Times: June 12th-16th, 10:00-12:00
Cost: $350
Grow and Glow will set up girls transitioning to middle school for success! Through art and discussion based activities, girls will build their self concept to navigate and prepare for peer pressure, social media, friendship issues, and other unique challenges faced in the middle school years.
Age: Rising 6th and 7th Graders
Dates/Times: TBD, 10:00-12:00
Cost: $350
Telemental health, or online therapy, is a way to provide children and teens with all the benefits of play therapy or psychotherapy when meeting in person is not accessible. Counseling sessions are provided through a HIPPA compliant video conferencing platform.
Creating or maintaining a trusting relationship with a therapist provides kids with stability, support, regulation, and a place to express overwhelming thoughts and feelings. This is especially important when normal routines have been interrupted and additional stressors or anxieties are present. Using telemental health to maintain regular appointments with their therapist will allow children a safe space to express and process feelings as well as learn skills and ways to cope.
For children under Twelve, appointments will consist of a brief psychotherapy (talk) check-in and then a series of directive activities to address emotional and body regulation, emotional intelligence, decreasing anxiety, increasing social skills, and addressing any other specific concerns. Each activity will be specifically designed to meet the needs of your specific child and their developmental level.
For teens, appointments will consist of psychotherapy and some directive activities tailored specifically to each teen.
Developing a trusting relationship with you and/or your child is key to a successful therapeutic experience. Your counselor will spend the first couple sessions getting to know you and your child and helping them to feel comfortable sharing their inner world. Creative interventions will always be used to meet the needs of your child. Your counselor will work with you and your child to create goals to work towards in therapy.
Typically, weekly meetings are preferred to begin therapy. After an initial intake session, you will discuss treatment goals and plans with your counselor. As progress is made, sessions may be moved to every other week. The number of sessions required to reach goals will vary. Some clients reach their goals in weeks while others need months or years. More progress is usually seen when sessions are held on a consistent basis. Sessions last for 50 minutes.
Individual counseling session or parent consultation session- $150/50 minute session
School Meetings or Consultations- $135/hour
Root and Blossom Counseling is not an in-network provider for any insurance company. We can provide a receipt for out-of-network reimbursement upon request. All payment is due at the time of services.
Appointments can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice. Payment will be expected in full for appointments cancelled without 24 hours notice.
Play is the natural language for children to process and resolve issues in their lives. This video gives more information about how play therapy works and what it looks like.