Therapists for college students near Georgia State University

Hi, I’m Nikoleta! I’m an international doctoral student from Greece, and for the past seven years I’ve called the U.S. home—living in both the Northeast and the South. Before pursuing psychology, I was a Division I athlete, an experience that gave me first-hand insight into body image struggles and the stigma surrounding mental health across different systems and communities. I’m passionate about uplifting and centering voices that have historically been excluded, both within my own communities and beyond. My path into psychology began with recognizing how stigma shaped the lives of those I care about, and how systemic barriers have marginalized people for far too long. When we work together, you can expect a compassionate, non-judgmental space where we’ll explore your authentic self, replace fear and shame with self-acceptance, set healthy boundaries, and nurture deeper connections. Together, we’ll honor your intersecting identities, heal wounds of oppression, and strengthen your confidence so you can live with clarity, purpose, and self-worth. At my core, I’m guided by curiosity, compassion, and a genuine love for people. I strive to create spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and warm. I believe in the importance of balance—embracing the many roles and identities we carry—and in celebrating the richness of our multifaceted selves. My hope is that everyone I work with feels safe, seen, valued, and deeply connected.

My experiences as a queer, transgender man from the South inform how I move through the world and how I work with clients. I understand the challenges and inherent stress of navigating institutional, educational, and family systems that fail to make space for all identities and backgrounds. My approach is grounded in anti-oppressive and culturally affirming principles and I enjoy working with individuals of all backgrounds. I aim to create a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative space where clients can experience and examine themselves and experiment with new skills and perspectives. I collaborate with clients to co-create realistic goals and sustainable solutions that honor and encompass their unique identities, challenges, and strengths. I have experience working with a variety of backgrounds and concerns and I have particular expertise working with gender identity and sexuality (LGBTQIA+), trauma, individuals living in larger bodies, individuals in helping professions, life transitions, and young adults. My commitment to social justice and advocacy extends to my work as a researcher and counselor educator-in-training. My primary areas of research are improving counselor training concerning LGBTQIA+ and larger-bodied individuals, demystifying research for students from marginalized backgrounds, and combating cisnormativity in counseling research.

Many of the people I work with live in the “in-between” — between cultures, identities, roles, and expectations. Maybe you’re constantly navigating competing demands from family, community, and self. Maybe you feel caught between pride in your roots and the ache of not quite fitting in. That kind of in-betweenness can carry invisible grief, deep resilience, and stories that are layered and complex. Therapy with me is a place where all of that gets to exist. Where silence—once a survival strategy—no longer has to be your default. Where you don’t have to explain why you’re tired or tone yourself down to be understood. You get to show up as you are—messy, in progress, tender, whole. I offer a supportive, affirming, and nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and life experiences with curiosity and compassion. My work is rooted in a trauma-informed, multicultural frame-work, because I know that our relationships—with family, partners, culture, and self—shape so much of how we move through the world. I’m especially passionate about supporting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folks, and anyone navigating the complexities of intersectional identities. Whether you’re wrestling with anxiety, navigating life transitions, working through relationship dynamics, or exploring identity, I’m here to help you reconnect—with yourself, your story, and your values. Together, we’ll look at the patterns that have helped you survive, even if they’re no longer serving you. We’ll unpack the unspoken “rules” you’ve been carrying, and gently build new ways of living that feel more aligned, grounded, and free. With individuals, our work might focus on: • Honoring your cultural and personal history while creating space for your own voice • Tending to the inner critic or survival modes that no longer reflect who you want to be • Cultivating emotional flexibility and self-compassion With couples and polycules, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help partners move beyond the surface-level conflicts and into the deeper emotions underneath. Often, what looks like disconnection is really a longing—to be seen, to be safe, to feel understood. We’ll slow things down, make space for those vulnerable moments, and help you learn how to reach for one another in ways that build trust, not distance. This work can be especially powerful for couples navigating cultural differences, unspoken family dynamics, or intergenerational expectations. Whether you're seeking therapy as an individual or as part of a couple or polycule, our work will move at your pace and be centered around your needs. You don’t have to hold it all together here. We’ll make room for your full self—your questions, your emotions, your healing. One step at time.

Have you ever felt that forming and maintaining relationships, engaging in consistent self-care, or navigating everyday "adulting" feels more challenging for you than those around you? Do you struggle to “be yourself” or even understand what that truly looks like? Are you caught in the feeling of being either “too much” or “not enough?” Whether you’re in the early stages of exploring a potential neurodivergent identity, or processing a recent self or formal diagnosis, I’m here to support you. I’m passionate about working with clients on this journey, helping them navigate the complex emotions that often arise—excitement, curiosity, and validation in discovering more about who you are, alongside grief and anger for the time spent feeling othered or broken. This is a deeply personal journey, and together, we can create a path that honors your unique experiences and needs. In our work together, we will focus on helping you: • Find confidence in navigating healthy relationships • Learn how to self-advocate • Identify neurodivergent-affirming people and spaces • Break free from the cycle of high achievement and burnout • Become attuned to the needs of your nervous system and develop skills to better regulate its responses I work with individuals who are often left on the margins of traditional therapy models—BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent individuals who may have been made to feel that their identities or experiences don’t fit the mold. In our sessions, you’ll never be asked to minimize or hide any part of yourself. I believe in creating a space where all parts of you are welcome—your personality, culture, and lived experiences are integral to the work we do. My approach is both challenging and supportive, direct yet affirming. I’m committed to creating a therapy space that values your autonomy and centers your lived experiences, particularly if you hold marginalized identities. As a therapist, I weave lessons of self-advocacy and resilience into our work, always mindful of the broader oppressive systems we navigate. I encourage clients to provide feedback on our therapy relationship so that together, we can create a dynamic that serves you best without reinforcing harmful systems of power or control. I also believe that self-disclosure and authentic expression are crucial in our work together. Therapy is not just about following outdated rules of professionalism but about showing up fully as ourselves, both therapist and client. This authenticity allows us to build a stronger, more human connection, which is at the heart of meaningful healing and growth.

Navigating today’s world can be challenging enough—finding culturally competent therapeutic support shouldn’t add to that burden. I am committed to providing a safe, empathetic, and compassionate space where we can collaboratively explore and address your concerns. Using a relational, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach, I strive to truly understand your unique journey and support your path toward health, wellness, and growth. As a therapist, I bring a social justice lens to my work, recognizing the impact that systems of oppression and marginalization can have on mental health. I am dedicated to offering culturally competent care that honors your identity and lived experiences. Together, we will explore how these dynamics influence your personal challenges, while also empowering you to navigate and resist these barriers with resilience and strength. I recognize that trust is at the core of an effective therapeutic relationship, and I am dedicated to earning your trust through genuine care, understanding, and respect for your lived experiences. Together, we will work to create a supportive environment where you can reflect on how these experiences have shaped your life. By building a foundation of psychoeducation, emotional tools, acceptance, and self-compassion, we can empower you to move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Taking the step to seek therapy is an act of courage, and I’m here to walk alongside you on this journey toward healing and self-discovery.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating and vulnerable—it takes immense courage to seek support, especially from someone you don’t yet know. My goal is to demystify and destigmatize the therapy process so we can walk together toward healing, growth, and self-discovery. In our work, we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing and identify what might be keeping you stuck. You’ll be met with warmth, curiosity, and compassion as we co-create a space that honors your full, intersectional self and empowers you to live more authentically. ​ I work with individuals across the lifespan, and I especially enjoy supporting children, teens, and families. For young children, I use play therapy as a developmentally appropriate approach that allows them to express feelings, process difficult experiences, and build coping skills through play. With teens and families, I offer a space to navigate identity development, life transitions, and family dynamics with empathy and cultural responsiveness. I also collaborate with parents and caregivers to strengthen relationships and promote emotional connection. In addition to individual and family therapy, I work with couples navigating communication difficulties, disconnection, and relationship challenges. I provide a supportive and affirming environment for partners of all backgrounds and relationship configurations to explore their needs, repair trust, and strengthen their bond. My practice is rooted in a culturally responsive, anti-oppressive framework that affirms the lived experiences of BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and others with marginalized identities. I’m particularly passionate about supporting clients who are navigating intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, and systemic oppression. I also deeply value working with men and masculine-identified individuals, especially those who have internalized messages that discourage vulnerability and emotional expression. Creating space for these clients to heal and grow has been one of the most meaningful parts of my work. ​Together, we’ll create a space where your experiences are seen and your story is honored—where you feel empowered to grow into the fullest, most liberated version of yourself.

I work primarily with young men in college and graduate school who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. You may be struggling with substances, pornography or sexual behaviors, gambling, relationships, trauma, anxiety, depression, or problems with motivation and direction. As a former university professor, I understand the pressures of academic life a. I offer compassionate, direct, evidence-based therapy to help you understand what's happening, build practical skills, and move forward.

I work best with people who are carrying a lot at once, whether that’s anxiety, relationships that keep hurting them, substance use that feels out of control, or old experiences they’re finally ready to look at. They usually appear fine on the outside but feel worn down on the inside. What they share is knowing something needs to change and being ready to do the hard work to shift old patterns. If that sounds like you, I’d love for you to reach out!

In working with my clients, I strive to help them find a healthy balance in every part of their lives; whether it is work, relationships or health. Finding a balance is important. Balance does not allow one area in our lives to become too extreme, pulling all of our focus. In session we will develop personalized strategies that can help you feel more in control, making your concerns feel more manageable. Once we work together to find that balance in your daily life, you are able to live at your happy, healthy baseline. You begin to thrive.

Happiness is nice, but it isn't everything. I'm not here to help you be happy. I'm here to help you inhabit the raw fullness of your life amidst all of its twists, turns, challenges, and obstacles. Whether you're facing a point of challenge, a period of crisis, or a chronic issue, I welcome the opportunity to bring my experience and training alongside your experience, values, and goals. Together, we can make something rich of this strange, messy, and perhaps even beautiful world. I use an affirming approach to work with people navigating anxiety and overwhelm, compulsions and addictions, and finding My foundational approach is Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). It emphasizes each person's ability to build a mindful, meaningful, resilient life that can withstand life's storms and revel in its beauties. As a social worker, I strive to embody anti-oppression, affirm all identities, and prioritize systemic analysis and sustainable, holistic change.

I specialize in working with students who have emotion regulation challenges, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Autism, and Life-threatening behaviors. The treatment modalities I use are: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Lifespan Integration (LI)

Do you struggle with heightened anxiety and feel overwhelmed by life? When life feels overwhelming and high pressure exists to manage personal issues, I work with clients in therapy to minimize the distress and overcome obstacles in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. Since it can be scary and painful to reveal vulnerability, I strive to build a trusting therapeutic relationship in which my clients feel comfortable to explore personal experiences. The therapy sessions are tailored to each client. Treatment can be on a short or long term basis depending on the client’s needs. I specialize in helping teenagers and adults who experience persistent self-criticism, depression, anxiety, ADHD, chronic stress, OCD, and complex interpersonal relationship issues.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Do you find yourself constantly wondering if you measure up? Have passing thoughts that if people knew the real you they wouldn't hire you, be your friend, respect or admire you? Holding yourself to a high standard provides some amazing benefits AND it can really hold you back if it's an all-or-nothing situation. When your worth and value are on the line in every interaction, you live in a constant state of anxiety and have a hard time resting or enjoying your down time. When I was in my twenties, I was anxious and depressed but I never would've used those labels at the time. My life was great on paper – I thought I was happy because I thought should be happy. Then, in the moments when I noticed that I wasn’t feeling great, I beat myself up for not being positive and upbeat or grateful enough for everything I had. I thought that just feeling kinda sad and worried most of the time was normal and inevitable. The truth is, it is pretty normal, but it's not inevitable. In fact, part of what drives me to help people is that the level of unease I felt seems so common. I strongly suspect that there are people suffering needlessly who don't know that there are ways to feel better. One thing to know up front: working with me is weird! My clients who've been to therapy before or seen it on TV are often surprised by a few things about my practice. There's homework, and we'll both be writing things down in sessions. We won't just talk about the things you think and feel, we'll work together to change them for the better.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

You've worked so hard to get where you are. Hours and hours in the library, in the gym, in the practice studio. You care about excellence. But all that pressure you put on yourself, wanting to be perfect and for everyone to love you? It's wearing you out. Stress, anxiety, constant thoughts zooming through your head. I'm glad you're here, and I hope I can help. I've been helping people just like you for almost two decades. People who have been super successful but also super stressed, anxious and sad. I am committed to treating the whole you, which means that an important step to feeling better is to look at all the parts of your life (physical health, relationships, work, self-care) and how those parts of your life are affecting how you feel and how you act. When you feel well emotionally, physically, and socially; your quality of life can genuinely improve. I hope to work with any of you who feel "stuck" in your lives; who are struggling with anxiety, stress, perfectionism, or body image. I have a particular specialization in working with athletes of all levels; professional, collegiate, and recreational. As a former collegiate volleyball and softball player, I understand that athletic performance incorporates so much more than physical training. I work with athletes who are struggling with anxiety, confidence, focus, or team dynamics. Additionally, I see athletes after they have experienced some major event in their athletic lives; such as acute and chronic injuries, pain, illness, or physical changes with aging. Athletes also struggle frequently with eating concerns and body image. Therapy is teamwork--we will develop a plan and goals that work for you to live your healthiest life!

My style is collaborative, supportive, and practical. I believe therapy works best when clients feel both heard and challenged, so I balance compassion with encouragement to try new approaches and perspectives. I draw from evidence-based practices, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and strengths-based approaches, while also tailoring sessions to each client’s needs. I often work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and identity challenges. Whether we are addressing immediate stressors or exploring deeper patterns, my focus is on helping clients build resilience, develop meaningful insights, and create lasting change.

I work with individuals and couples in Georgia who are seeking support for various mental health challenges. Many of my clients have difficulties related to anxiety, depression, and past trauma that get in the way of enjoying life and thriving to their fullest potential. I also work with people who are diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and related conditions. The foundation of my therapy is a collaborative relationship based on warmth and acceptance. I look beyond the mental health “condition” and seek to understand you as a person, influenced by your identities and past experiences. I will work collaboratively with you to develop goals for therapy and a plan to attain those goals. I provide a tailored therapy experience by utilizing a variety of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, emotion-focused couples therapy, and the Gottman Method. Overall, I seek to empower you with the skills to live a meaningful life based on your personal goals and values. Whether you are interested in individual therapy or couples counseling, I am looking forward to connecting with you and working together to create the change you are seeking. Feel free to visit my webpage to learn more about me and my work!

Many university students seek support when the usual ways of coping stop working. Even high-achieving, motivated students can find themselves struggling to focus, stay organized, manage emotions, or just feel like themselves. It’s not always obvious what’s going on at first—but there’s often more beneath the surface. I work with students dealing with: ADHD – trouble with focus, time management, procrastination, or follow-through Anxiety – persistent worry, racing thoughts, panic, or physical symptoms like tension or trouble sleeping Depression – low energy, lack of motivation, disconnection, or loss of interest in things that used to matter OCD – intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, mental loops that are hard to break Trauma – past experiences that affect how you respond to stress, relationships, or daily life Bipolar disorder – changes in mood, sleep, or energy that feel destabilizing or confusing Neurodivergence – navigating a world not built for your brain, and looking for care that meets you where you are Some students are already on medication and want to review or adjust their treatment. Others are starting from the beginning, looking to understand what’s going on and what options are available. Either way, the goal is the same: to feel more grounded, more capable, and more like yourself again. I offer convenient virtual appointments that can be requested online, as well as in-person visits at our Scottdale, GA location.

I work with individuals struggling with life transitions, relationship problems, anxiety and other painful emotions. I have over 10 years of experience treating adolescents and adults and everyone in between. Working with students and aspiring young professionals is a population I'm passionate about working with. I strive to empower clients through developing greater self-awareness, acceptance and motivation to accomplish their goals. Therapy is a powerful tool that anyone can benefit from when the courage and motivation is present and I believe should be accessible to all. I work with students and launching young adults on a sliding scale rate to prevent cost from being an automatic barrier to seeking support or trying counseling for the first time.