Meet Misti

I am a clinically trained psychotherapist in Decatur, Georgia. I am licensed in Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and nationally certified as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). My clinical education began at Emory University where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Violence Studies. I have a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University and a Master’s degree in Justice, Law, and Society from American University.

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I have the knowledge and skills to empower individuals to engage more fully and positively with themselves and those around them.

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Built through my education and experience working within the helping professions, I have the knowledge and skills to empower individuals to engage more fully and positively with themselves and those around them. I have a strong passion for social justice and value the individuality of each of my clients. I recognize that each person’s gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, spirituality, and upbringing contribute to his or her life experience, and these factors will be explored during our work together. My theoretical approach is largely grounded in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and I frequently utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques.
 

In addition to my clinical practice, I worked for over ten years at NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, which is the national organization that represents, educates, and certifies addiction-focused counselors and professionals. I served as the Director of Training and Professional Development at NAADAC where I developed educational programs on evidence-based counseling skills, cutting-edge research, and standards of practice for addiction counselors. I frequently provided face-to-face training to addiction and mental health counselors across the country and have written numerous articles, book chapters, national curriculums, and training manuals, including the Basics of Addiction Counseling: Desk Reference and Study Guide and a chapter in the Casebook on Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons and Their Families. I have also worked with patients in both individual and group settings at Ridgeview Institute, where I was exposed to a wide array of direct impact of the environmental and societal factors that shape how we view, and ultimately, respond to the world.