Are You Or Someone You Care About…

  • Having a life crisis?
  • Experiencing a life transition (family divorce, new school, new blended family)?
  • Getting involved with unhealthy relationships or making unhealthy life choices?
  • Having a problem with managing moods and behaviors?
  • Having thoughts or actions of self-harm?
  • Considering or attempted suicide?

Being a teenager is not easy.  You are not alone…we are here to provide a safe place where you feel heard.

We just have a couple of ground rules:

  • If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign permission for you to see the therapist (it’s the law).
  • You, your parent or guardian, and your therapist will discuss what kind of things will be held in the strictest of confidence–and what kinds of things will have to be discussed with your parents.

Our therapists are here to help you sort things out, work with you to create a treatment plan and challenge you to work towards short and long-term goals in the following areas:

Clinical Services

Our goal is to help you assess your need for addiction services by determining the level of care that best fits you. Our addiction specialists provide assessments, education, support, intervention, therapy, recovery planning, and accountability.

Navigating the Season of Success in Recovery

One of the most difficult moments to navigate in substance use recovery is a season of success. That may sound counterintuitive but imagine this: An addiction has destroyed your life. Alcohol, meth, or another substance...

Exploring Technology Addiction: Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Help

Technology addiction refers to various types of technology and its various methods of overuse. Our society’s reliance on technology is no secret. We use it to navigate to our next destination, connect with loved ones,...

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction

Drug use has become a concerning health issue in our society today. It is generally misunderstood to be a lack of moral principle or willpower when in reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and...

Are you or a loved one experiencing high levels of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or both? Whether you need an ADHD screening assessment or treatment for your diagnosis, our team is here to help.

Understanding ADHD in Teens

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. The essential feature of ADHD is a persistent pattern...

How ADHD Can Impact Emotions

We are accustomed to looking for the common symptoms of ADHD. In the health care field and the school systems, we commonly look for symptoms that include, fidgeting or restlessness, difficulty managing time, impulsive behavior,...

Effects of Medicating ADHD in Children

According to some pharmacies, antidepressants for teenagers have risen 38% from 2015 to 2019 (while adult prescriptions only rose 12% during that same period). As that study was pre-pandemic, the results now are expected to...

Bringing an adopted child into your family is wonderful and exciting, but with this comes new navigation and transition for everyone. Our therapists are here to walk with you during your adoption process and help address any adoption-based concerns you may have.

Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents
Lost and Found: The Adoption Experience

Controlling your anger can feel easier said than done, and at times, it can seem like it has control over you. Anger management therapy can help take control of angry emotions and develop healthy ways of managing your anger.

Helping Your Child Deal with Anger

Anger and temper tantrums/meltdowns in young children, especially under the ages of 7-9, are to be expected and even healthy for a child. It is important for children to be able to experience all emotions....

Dealing With Acts of Aggression from Your Child

One issue I have a lot of my child clients working on is their anger (including tantrums). Some tantrums or outbursts are normal for children under the age of 5, while they are making sense of boundaries...

Why Your Kids Should Be Allowed To Tell You No Sometimes

One of the skills I end up having to teach almost all the kids I work with, no matter their presenting problem, is assertiveness. An anxious child may be too afraid to express how they...

Anxiety and panic can feel overwhelming and all-consuming at times. Our therapists are here to walk with you and provide you with the tools and skills needed to help manage the anxiety you are experiencing.

Can Chronic Pain Impact Social Relationships?

“And here you are living despite it all.” – Rupi Kaur, author and poet Chronic pain can impact social relationships in significant ways. In this blog, we will discuss the impact of chronic pain on...

Your Child's Anxiety: Signs and Strategies for Calming Their Mind and Body

Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychological problem that children experience? One in eight children suffer from a significant anxiety disorder (Wang, 2017). In an average sized classroom of...

De-Catastrophizing Your Thoughts

Sometimes what can cause us to feel anxious is our own thoughts. A common thought process we have when feeling anxious is going to the worst possible outcome in our heads for a situation that...

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with autism or need an assessment; our therapists are here to walk with you. We work with autism on all levels of the spectrum and are here to provide a therapeutic environment that works best for you and your family.

People with bipolar disorder experience high and low moods, known as mania and depression. Left untreated, bipolar disorder usually worsens. However, in most cases it can be managed with psychotherapy and in conjunction with medication when needed.

The process of merging two families can be both rewarding and challenging. Our therapists are here to help you navigate new family dynamics as you begin this new chapter together.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a chronic illness or cancer; it can bring with it a lot of different emotions. Not only is it a lot to process and impacts your emotional health, it affects your physical health as well. Our therapists are here to walk with you during this difficult time.

If you are a recent high school graduate, current college student, or recent college graduate, you know that the transition in and out of college can be difficult. We are here to help you navigate this big adjustment.

Supportive Friends and Empowering Therapists

The scene is common. Usually, a group of men or women gathered around one distressed individual, plying them with tissues, words to bolster one’s masculinity, ice cream, and occasionally a nip of an adult beverage....

Effectively Navigating Change

Fall is approaching and there will be significant changes in our world. Leaves will fall and the temperature will as well. This is a change that we expect to happen each year. Expected changes can...

How we communicate with others is one of the most important parts of any relationship. Our therapists are here to teach vital communication skills that will strengthen your relationships with others and help you communicate more effectively.

4 Practical (and Fun) Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship This Holiday Season

The holidays bring all the joyful chaos: crowded schedules, too much food, and family members giving unsolicited advice. With all this added pressure, it’s easy to feel like you and your partner are more “survival...

Are You Being Selfish or Is This Good Self-stewardship?

“You’re so selfish; all you think about is yourself and what you want! You never think about me and what I might want!” “You’re so inconsiderate. Do you have any idea how that affected me?”...

Trust and Commitment: The Cornerstones of a Satisfying Long-Term Relationship

In any long-term romantic relationship, trust and commitment are vital elements that contribute significantly to its success and satisfaction. These components create a stable and supportive environment where love can flourish. So, what makes these...

It can be difficult to know how to handle conflict with friends, peers, and loved ones. Through therapy, you can learn the skills and tools to navigate and resolve conflict with others.

How to Build your Child’s Self-Esteem

A child’s self-esteem begins with a positive self-identity, which is critical for building a foundation for confidence, happiness, and emotional well-being. When children have a positive self-identity, they can navigate through life with a sense...

Unlocking Discipline: The 5 Critical Components

Discipline is often misconstrued as a form of punishment and what comes to mind most is spanking. However, the essence of discipline is teaching and guiding. At its core discipline means providing structure, consistency, and...

Finding a Place of Honesty, Authenticity, and Love

Can you tell your partner everything? When intimate relationships are built on a foundation of honesty, they can reach a level of profound authenticity and mutual understanding. But since the beginning of time, it seems,...

Depression can bring about feelings of overwhelming sadness, lack of joy, as well as mental and physical fatigue. Luckily, you do not have to go through it alone. Our therapists are here for you and can provide tools and skills that can help with what you are experiencing.

What Your “Bad” Emotions Can Do for You!

“It’s not a big deal, calm down!” “Don’t cry, it’s okay!” “Don’t get angry at me!” “You should be happy!” Sound familiar? Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably said something like this to...

The Importance of Community

One of the first things I ask a new client when we meet is “tell me about your support system”. Understanding how connected someone is to a community of support gives me a lot of...

Conquering Depression: A Comprehensive Guide to Relieving Symptoms

Depression is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Research shows that the best way to treat depression is through medication and talk therapy. On top of that there are several...

Divorce can bring with it a lot of stress and complicated emotions for the couple and family. Our team of marriage and family therapists are here to provide a safe space to help adults, couples, and children navigate and process divorce and separation.

Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may be signs of an eating disorder. Persistent eating behaviors can negatively impact your emotions, your health, and your ability to function in important areas of your life.

Healing from Disordered Eating

How many people will struggle with an eating disorder during their lifetime? It’s a more complicated question than you might think. Since the vast majority of people with eating disorders either never seek formal treatment...

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind.  ~G.K. Chesterton An adorned body without a sound...

Experiencing emotional abuse can create feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, and overall emotional distress. If you are currently or have experienced emotional abuse, do not be afraid to reach out for help.

Experiencing violence and abuse within a family can be traumatic and bring long-lasting psychological distress. If you or someone you love are currently or has experienced abuse, we are here for you. You do not need to be afraid to reach out for help.

Phobias are an overwhelming fear or anxiety regarding a specific situation or thing. The anxiety surrounding a phobia can seem uncontrollable. Our therapists are here to help you learn how to cope and eliminate the phobia and fear you are experiencing.

What Happens When it Feels Like the House is on Fire!

Human beings are magnificently designed. When we are in a life-threatening situation our body reacts while shutting down our prefrontal cortex where planning, analyzing and problem solving occur. This process allows us to react immediately...

If you are experiencing concerns regarding your sexuality or gender identity, The Summit is a safe place for you. Our therapists are here to hear you and walk with you on your journey.

Just as seasons are a natural part of each calendar year, change is also a part of the fabric of every life.

How to Cope with Grief during the Holidays

The holidays are “supposed to” bring joy and peace, but many people do not have that experience as they are coping with the loss of a loved one. No matter when the loss occurred, the...

Monkey Bars and the Normal Grief of Living Well

In playgrounds, there used to be a structure called the Monkey Bars. I believe they’re too dangerous to be included in most public spaces anymore, but they were the test of endurance and strength (and...

A Hole in Your Heart: Living with Grief and Loss 

I was talking with a client the other day, let’s call her Julie (not her real name), about the recent loss of a relationship which had affected her deeply. Our conversation went something like this: Me:...

Physical health concerns produce high levels of anxiety and worry. If you or a loved one are experiencing concerns with your physical health, our therapists are here to walk with you and provide tools to help you cope and manage your emotional health during this difficult time.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Childhood Cancer

Facing cancer is an immense challenge for anyone, but for children, it means grappling with their mortality at an age meant for dreams of being a princess or a superhero. For their parents it is...

Chronic Pain Series: The Importance of Pain-Validation

“…If only things would hurt in a clearer way.” – Excerpt of a poem by Fortesa Latifi titled “chronic illness” Chronic pain can be a truly debilitating experience. Whether you deal with pounding migraines, searing...

September: Sickle Cell Awareness Month

There’s a disease that affects approximately 100,000 people in this country and millions more across the globe. It’s an illness many have never even heard of, it’s entirely based on genetics, and it’s arguably the...

Learning disabilities can bring with it difficulties in school, low self-esteem, and stress in peer relationships. If you or your child have been diagnosed or needs a psychological assessment, our therapists are here to help.

Low self-esteem can significantly impact your quality of life and negatively paint your view of yourself. You deserve to love yourself and live your life with confidence. Our therapists are here to help you develop a higher sense of self-confidence and self-esteem.

My Child is Struggling with Their Body Image - How Can I Help Them?

Anyone can struggle with body image; Research shows that children as young as 3 years old can have body image concerns. As a therapist who works with children and teens, this question comes up a...

Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization versus the Transcendent Self 

In my counseling practice, I am often asked about the importance of a healthy self-esteem, and how to get a “better” one: “My performance (in school, in sports, in social situations) suffers because I don’t...

10 Tips to Boost your Child’s Self-Esteem

Wanting your child to grow and develop into a happy, confident individual is normal for many parents. Though this is a common goal for most parents, it’s not always clear how to help your child...

The parent-child bond is one of the most important relationships we have. It is important we know how to effectively navigate and strengthen these relationships with our parents and children.

Size of the Problem: Helping Children Match Their Feelings and Reactions to a Problem

Size of the Problem (SotP) is a tool used to help individuals think critically about how their feelings and responses to a perceived problem impact themselves and the people around them. Simply put, it helps...

How to Talk to Your Child About School Shootings

It grieves me to be writing this blog regarding a topic that so deeply affects our students, parents, school staff, and community today. The anxiety and confusion surrounding school shootings is prevalent for us all....

Helping Your Student with Back to School Feelings

With summer quickly coming to an end, children and teens in your home may be experiencing familiar and competing feelings like excitement, dread, anticipation, and anxiety. Often, these feelings may not be expressly spoken, but...

Physical abuse can leave lasting negative effects not only physically, but emotionally as well. If you or someone you love is currently or has experienced physical abuse, we are here for you. You do not need to be afraid to reach out for help.

PTSD and Intimate Partner Violence (Excerpt from PTSD Monthly Update from the US Dept. of VA)

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) refers specifically to violence and aggression between intimate partners. IPV can include physical, sexual or psychological abuse or stalking. In the United States, about 1 in 4 women (or 27%) and...

If your child is exhibiting problem behaviors at home and or school, our play therapists and family therapists are here to provide guidance and support for you and your child.

Bullying in Middle School

We often hear this word being thrown around but what is bullying really? Stopbullying.gov defines bullying as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is...

10 Fun and Unique Ways to Show Kindness

We have all heard of the golden rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated. Today we are going to lay out 10 tangible ways you can show kindness to others during...

Individuals with an addiction to gambling, gaming, or compulsion issues can be successfully treated with a recovery plan built around individual, couple, and/or family therapy.

Difficulty in school can have a significant impact on a child’s well-being. The Summit provides comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations for children, adolescents and young adults. Screening assessments for learning and attention problems are also available, to help parents determine whether further testing or another avenue of assessment or intervention is warranted.

Navigating romantic relationships can be complicated. No matter what you and your partner are experiencing, The Summit is here for you.

4 Practical (and Fun) Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship This Holiday Season

The holidays bring all the joyful chaos: crowded schedules, too much food, and family members giving unsolicited advice. With all this added pressure, it’s easy to feel like you and your partner are more “survival...

Turning Toward: How Stressed Couples Can Support Each Other

In a world where stress is often a common household guest, managing our reactions and maintaining positive connections with our spouses can be challenging. However, learning to turn towards rather than away from each other...

Building Stronger Bonds with Your Partner: An Overview of the Gottman Method

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a scientifically-backed approach designed to improve the quality and longevity of relationships. Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, this method is based on extensive research involving thousands of...

When life seems overwhelming and depression and anxiety seem uncontrollable, people sometimes turn to self-harm and self-injurious behavior to combat these feelings. We are here to help you find healthy alternative coping skills.

You Don’t Have to Be Alone

September 10, 2019 was World Suicide Prevention Day. I work with many clients that deal with trauma and/or depression. I’ve worked with many clients that have contemplated or attempted suicide. Previous to my career as...

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is an epidemic that has been impacting our nation and community. It’s important to take some time to touch on this difficult topic. A big part of this is learning to be intentional about...

No Longer Wanting to Die (excerpt from New York Times)

No Longer Wanting to Die By Will Lippinscott New York Times – May 16, 2015 After decades of therapy and in patient hospitalization, Mr. Lippincott describes his experience of being suicidal and how dialectical behavior...

Sex and pornography addiction can strain romantic relationships and affects your overall mental health.

Your child’s ability to establish and maintain relationships with others is important. Our therapists are here to help your child navigate their relationships with others and develop healthy social skills.

A Guide to Overcoming Academic Pressure as a Teen

Going back to school can be a stressful time for teenagers who struggle with academic pressure. Between balancing homework, tests, extracurricular activities, and social lives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Academic stress can be the...

7 Tips for Navigating Peer Relationships as a Teenager

Let’s talk about something that may be on your mind: peer relationships. Whether you’re in college, high school, or middle school navigating social dynamics and friendships can sometimes be a challenge. I’ve got some helpful...

The Fewest Words

As a therapist, but also a human being who was not blessed with the most loving of families growing up, I find myself often giving to others more than I give back to myself. Like...

The Summit offers a spiritually integrated approach to counseling based on the client’s personal spirituality and religion. If you are experiencing spiritual issues or concerns, our therapists are here to provide counseling and support.

Stress can have physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Our therapists are here to help you learn to reduce and manage your stress.

Completing the Stress Cycle

Five Quick Tools to Alleviate Stress at Work

In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s crucial to have quick and effective strategies to alleviate stress. Below are five tools you can use in around ten minutes to improve your mental health during a work...

Preparing for Finals

As finals are approaching, it is a common time where students might get overly stressed and burnt out. Here are some tips to help prevent burnout and reduce stress. Since this is a higher-pressure time,...

Our goal is to help you assess your need for substance abuse and addiction services, or other addiction services (like sexual addiction or gambling addiction). We also help those with compulsive disorders such as eating disorders or compulsive spending. We help you to determine the level of care that best fits your needs and we either provide that care or refer you to someone who can.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, know that you are not alone. The Summit is here to help assess and manage suicide risk, develop a safety plan and teach you affective coping skills If you are experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress and cannot reach anyone at our office, call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or visit your nearest emergency room.

How to Help a Loved One with Suicidal Thoughts

In the United States, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-14 and 25-34, according to a 2020 study by the CDC. Suicide has become such a common topic for kids...

How to Show Up for Your Suicidal Loved One

When someone you love expresses to you their deep emotional pain or shares their thoughts of suicide, it can be extremely difficult. People experiencing such emotions are vulnerable and need their support network to show...

Children’s Hospitals See More Cases of Depression, Suicidal Thoughts

Written by, Nancy Clanton As schools shifted to distance learning and extracurricular activities were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, many kids lost vital resources for maintaining their mental health. Government figures show the proportion of...

Psychological and physical trauma can impact us in more ways than we realize. The trauma we experience can tremendously impact our quality of life and overall mental wellbeing. Our therapists are here to walk with you and help you develop healthy tools and ways to cope. You are not alone.