Maddie McGarrah, M.Ed.

Licensed Professional Counselor
Registered Play Therapist
School Based Program Manager

“Children are one third of our population and all of our future” – Anonymous

Maddie primarily works with children, teens, and their families.  Her areas of concentration include working with children & teens struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, divorce, self-esteem, and behavioral issues.

Maddie has always been passionate about working with children and families to help them lead happier & healthier lives.  Her goal is to meet her clients where they are.  She strives to collaborate with and empower her clients to help them achieve their goals.  Maddie provides individual, play, and filial therapy to help address the needs of her clients.  She is currently working toward her Play Therapy certification to help serve her younger clients, as play is a child’s most natural form of expression.  Maddie primarily works from a person-centered approach that allows clients to dictate their goals & areas of growth for their therapy journey.  To further help address each client’s unique goals and presenting concerns, Maddie primarily utilizes Interpersonal and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques within a culturally competent framework.

Maddie completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Georgia majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences.  She then continued at UGA where she earned her Master of Education degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling and became a double dawg! While at the University of Georgia, Maddie received training to work with a variety of presenting concerns such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity exploration, addiction, and trauma.

Before joining the team at Summit, Maddie worked as a counseling intern at a Child Advocacy Center where she delivered trauma-focused therapy to children and adolescents. Maddie is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has training in working with clients who have had traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and domestic violence.  Maddie also previously worked at a private practice where she was able to expand her clinical skills seeing children, teens, and adults.  She was able to start training in play therapy and provided individual, play, and filial therapy at this practice.

Maddie enjoys spending time with friends and family by either watching a good movie/tv show, enjoying a good meal, visiting Lake Michigan, hiking, or having a game night.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Georgia
• Master of Education in Professional Counseling, University of Georgia

Licensure, Certifications and Professional Affiliations

• Licensed Professional Counselor, Georgia
• Member, American Counseling Association
• Member, Association of Play Therapy
• Certified, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Registered Play Therapist