Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates

Metropolitan Psychotherapy AssociatesAn Association of Independent PractitionersSandra HaleSteve HarrisMyles HasslerShanna JacksonLisa Angert MorrisKathy SteeleKathie Thodeson

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Who We Are

Kathie Thodeson

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Morris

Myles Hassler

Kathy Steele

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Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates ( MPA ) is a creative and diverse group of experienced therapists in Atlanta, Georgia who have come together to form a center for psychotherapy and healing.

Since 1988, MPA has had a reputation for excellence in psychotherapy, training, and consultation in Atlanta, Georgia.

We offer adult, child, adolescent, couples, family, and group psychotherapy and counseling services. We support our clients in a process of self-empowerment to overcome obstacles, make positive change, and live more fulfilled lives. Our commitment to serve the highest good of our clients’' personal growth is reflected in our commitment to support each other in personal and professional growth.

Excellence in psychotherapy since 1988

Who We Are

Click on a therapist to learn more

Sandra J. Hale, MA, LPC, Inc. 404-321-4954, ext. 308

Steve Harris, LCSW, Inc. 404-321-4954, ext. 303

W. Myles Hassler, MS, LPC, CEAP 770-242-4437

Shanna D. Jackson, MS, MA, LPC 404-934-9957

Lisa Angert Morris, MS, LPC, Inc 770-242-4785, ext. 1

Kathy Steele, MN, CS, Inc. 404-321-4954, ext. 305

Kathie Thodeson, MS, LPC 404-235-5467

Kathie Thodeson

Kathie Thodeson, MS, LPC

Phone: 404-235-5467

Email Kathie

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (Georgia license #3676), with an MS from Georgia State University. I began working in the mental health field in Tokyo, Japan in 1991, where I was a telephone crisis counselor and volunteer trainer. Before I lived in Japan I spent 15 years as a medical information specialist. That career led to management positions in nonprofit environments, including the Davies Center of Piedmont Hospital, and the national office of the American Cancer Society. After completing my residency program at Metropolitan Counseling Services, I became the Center’'s first Executive Director in 2002, a position I held until 2011. The focus of my private practice is individual and couples therapy, with an emphasis on trauma recovery and the treatment of depression. I believe that people have within themselves the ability to change and to grow. Together, my clients and I explore the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of experience in order to create room for change. A trusting relationship between me and my clients fosters a feeling of safety, which encourages self-awareness, self-empowerment, and emotional security. I also apply the principles of mindfulness and respect for clients' wisdom in my work.As a private practitioner, I recognize the personal and professional need to work collaboratively with other therapists. I rely on the wisdom and support of my colleagues. Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates and the collegial and warm relationships it represents, provide me with a solid foundation upon which to base my psychotherapy practice.

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Shanna Jackson

Shanna Jackson, MS, MA, LPC

Therapy group information

Phone: 404-934-9957

Group.pdf

Who am I? Why did I become a psychotherapist?When we choose a provider in the helping professions, including psychotherapy, I think it is important to get a sense of the reason that person was drawn to their selected profession. Working with a therapist is a deeply personal, intimate and often vulnerable experience. That’'s why I think it’s important to know not just what the therapist does, where he studied or where she practices, but also who your therapist is and why she'’s been drawn to the work of helping others. Let me tell you a little about myself, and please call if you have any questions or would like to talk about your needs, my suitability to help you meet them, and the ways I can help you achieve your goals.My life-long path toward psychotherapyAs I look back at my life, it’'s clear to me that I’'ve always been on a path leading me to the profession of psychology and counseling. From a young age, I have been interested in how people become who they are. Both of my parents were in a helping profession, which might explain why from a young age, I was encouraged to practice self-awareness and to appreciate the impact each of us has on one another. As I grew into adulthood, I continued to value and pursue self-awareness. I'’ve sought to develop that focus through many facets of my life, including the experience of being in nature; meditation and mindfulness; yoga; the directed study of Eastern and Western teachings; Native American teachings, such as vision quests; training and education, both traditional and alternative/complementary; and study abroad. In my work as a counselor, I'’ve experienced the power of psychotherapy as a catalyst to healing. Specifically, I’'ve been witness, participant and partner in the process of willingly seeing, hearing, and being present with someone in their life experience. I decided to become a psychotherapist because I strongly believe that people are capable of healing in ways that improve their quality of life, if they so choose. As a psychotherapist, my intention is to collaborate fully with my clients and help them understand and commit to the therapy process and, as a result, make of their lives what they hope. My views on how psychotherapy can helpIn my experience, I’'ve found that people are drawn to psychotherapy for many reasons, including: Feelings of restlessness and even hopelessness that may be difficult to understand or come to terms with. Feelings of distress or pain that become increasingly difficult to bear as coping methods that were once effective no longer help with overwhelming feelings or thoughts.Deep yearnings to explore unfulfilled dreams or to finish the parts of their lives that feel incomplete. A desire for a heightened cognitive-affective-spiritual awareness. Engaging in the therapeutic process can help by putting you on the path toward greater contentment and acceptance and honoring of yourself. Therapy is not always simple, easy, or joyful, but in my experience both as a counselor and in therapy myself, I'’ve come to appreciate the value of acknowledging and sharing your mind, emotions, body memory, spirit, and soul in a caring, supportive space. My areas of experience and trainingI have been in private practice since 2004, offering individual, couples, and group psychotherapy to adults with a wide range of issues, from personal growth to transitional stressors to chronic psychological concerns. My experience also includes working with adults, adolescents, and children in outpatient and residential facilities addressing anxiety and mood disorders, women’'s issues, family systems, addiction, and severe and persistent mental health problems. I have extensive clinical training in Transactional Analysis/Redecision Therapy and completed a two-year residency at Metropolitan Counseling Services focused on in-depth psychotherapy training with an emphasis on adult survivors of childhood trauma and PTSD. My graduate and doctoral research experience has focused on coping resources for stress management in adults in general and also, with pregnant women, empathy and prosocial behaviors in children, and empathy and vicarious traumatization in psychotherapists.My educationAnticipated Completion of PhD in Clinical Psychology, 2012 MA in Clinical Psychology Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CAAPA Accredited MS in Professional Counseling Georgia State University, Atlanta, GACACREP AccreditedBA in Psychology Guilford College, Greensboro, NC Professional LicensureLicensed Professional Counselor, Georgia #4052 My theoretical orientationI practice from an underlying strength-based approach that is experiential and process-oriented in nature. I have an integrative theoretical orientation that is grounded in a humanistic/existential/transpersonal approach, drawing also from aspects of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches. This influences how I practice in my belief that the therapeutic relationship is healing in and of itself. My practice reflects my belief that exploring your past by focusing on how it supports or inhibits your current life circumstances is crucial. I also believe that attachment styles developed from childhood are the foundation of current relationship patterns and that awareness and mindfulness initiate change. I support overall wellbeing.My practice detailsI currently have a general psychotherapy practice, working with adult individuals, couples, and groups with a wide range of concerns.Some of my particular interests include:Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma/PTSDLGBTQ concernsFertility and pregnancy supportGrief/LossPersonal GrowthCurrent Group Offerings: If interested, please call Shanna at 404-934-9957 to see if space is available.For Women and Men: Ongoing psychotherapy process group exploring all kinds of concerns. Meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm. Led by Shanna Jackson, MS, MA, LPC.Psychotherapy process group forming for individuals and/or couples navigating the fertility process, focusing on the psychological and emotional challenges one endures as an adjunct to the medical support received from physicians and other healthcare providers. Meets weekly. Co-led by Jackie Fraasa, MA, LPC and Shanna Jackson, MS, MA, LPC

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Lisa Morris
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Lisa Angert Morris, MS, LPC, CGP

Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Supervision, Training

Phone: 770-242-4785, Ext. 1

I am a psychotherapist in Atlanta, Georgia and balance my time between several professional endeavors. I am in private practice as a partner at Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates (MPA), and a Clinical Supervisor and Chief Financial Officer for Metropolitan Counseling Services (MCS), a nonprofit center dedicated to providing affordable psychotherapy to adults. I have been in my current positions with MPA and MCS since 1996, and prior to that, my professional experience includes being a staff psychotherapist and clinical supervisor at a nonprofit counseling center and a program director for a large group therapy program for survivors of trauma. In addition to my clinical practice, I also enjoy a career as a free-lance professional musician.I believe that psychotherapy is an art and a science and that each individual brings a unique set of experiences and strengths to the process. Working with kids, teens, adults, couples, families, and groups provides an opportunity to help clients deepen relationships, improve communication, create or restore life balance, and achieve a sense of well-being. My clinical orientation is a blend of experiential, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioral, and systems-oriented perspectives. I think growth and healing occur via anything clients want to explore in the context of a safe, accepting therapeutic relationship, realization of patterns and themes in the conscious and unconscious, and expression of desires for change. I have extensive training in Play Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy and often use these treatment modalities with children or anyone with non-verbal processing difficulties. I specialize in working with trauma survivors of all ages experiencing complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, chronic traumatization and issues related to attachment. I enjoy supervising post-graduate therapists working to attain professional licensure and have helped dozens of clinicians achieve that goal through training, consultation and clinical supervision. I also present workshops nationally and internationally on various aspects of trauma treatment. I completed my undergraduate degree at Emory University in 1984, where I was a double major in Psychology and Music. My Master of Science degree, in Community Counseling, was completed in 1987 at Georgia State University. Since finishing my graduate education, I completed licensure, in Georgia, as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in 1991 and have been a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP-National Certification) since 1996. In addition to my direct clinical practice, I have been continuously involved with nonprofit mental health agencies in Atlanta for more than 25 years and am passionate about tending to the infrastructure of nonprofit organizations. I have gained experience in program development, management, fiscal oversight, board expansion, grant writing and many other aspects of nonprofit administration. I have been a member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) since 1997 and served as a member of the ISTSS Finance Committee (as a non-board member) from 2004-2008 and as the Audit Committee Chairperson from 2009 to the present. I have served on local boards for counseling centers, been a peer reviewer for the state licensing board, and evaluated grant applications for a county arts organization. For more information about MCS, please take a look at www.mcsatlanta.org.

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Myles Hassler

W. Myles Hassler, MS, LPC, CEAP Phone: 770-242-4437

For more about Myles and his practice, go to www.wmyleshassler.com

Email Myles

Myles is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Atlanta, Georgia. Licensed since 1991, he works with individuals and couples providing general counseling services, sex therapy and a variety of substance abuse assessments specific to the referring organization or legal system. Myles has an additional extensive background in EAP (employee assistance programs) service delivery. His undergraduate degree is in psychology and he received it from the University of Illinois - Springfield, Illiinois campus (formerly Sangamon State University). His Master of Science degree was earned from Georgia State University in 1987. His background is exceptionally extensive, bringing a broad history of workplace experience and clinical expertise to his clients. Since his licensure, he has acquired an additional certification in the employee assistance field (CEAP), certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), certification as a Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) and also passed the training and rigorous exam requirements to become a designated Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for the Department of Transportation (DOT). He has extensive experience in impaired professionals' programming as well as in human resources management and organizational dynamics. Myles' pesonal history is culturally diverse which has enhanced his effectiveness and respect as a clinician with multi-cultural populations. His practicum and internship work was completed at a county mental health agency and included hospital emergency room assessment, intervention and placement. He is versed in a wide variety of clinical issues: general mood disorders, sex therapy, couples' counseling including open relationship dynamics, marital/divorce/affair recovery dynamics, brief therapy, stress, workplace dynamics and substance abuse. Myles has a significant gay/lesbian client population that he serves. EducationGeorgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia Master of Science, Community Counseling 1987University of Illinois - Springfield Campus, Springfield, Illinois (formerly Sangamon State University) Bachelor of Arts, Psychology 1980 Professional AffiliationsAASECT, American Assocation of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists LPCA, Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia EAPA, Employee Assistance Professionals Association NCC, National Board of Certified Counselors North Georgia Employee Assistance Professionals Association Licensure/Certification Licensed Professional Counselor, Georgia Licencse - #001453 Certified Employee Assistance Professional - #008387 National Certified Counselor - # 46754 Master Addictions Counselor - # 46754 Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) - Department of Transportation designation

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Kathy Steele
Kathy1 2011.jpg

Kathy Steele, MN, CS

For more information about Kathy's trainings and publications, visit

www.kathy-steele.com

Phone: 404-321-4954, ext. 305

Email Kathy

Kathy has been in private practice since 1985, and with Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates in Atlanta, Georgia since 1988. She is also Clinical Director of Metropolitan Counseling Services, a non profit psychotherapy and training center. For more about MCS, go to www.mcsatlanta.org. Kathy received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1978, and completed her graduate work at Emory University in 1983. She is a Past President and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), and has also served two terms on the Board of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Kathy served on the International Task Force that developed the first treatment guidelines for Dissociative Disorders, and is currently on a Joint International Task Force that is developing treatment guidelines for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She has received a number of awards for her work, including the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSTD, an Emory University Distinguished Allumni Award in 2006, and the Cornelia B. Wilbur Award for Outstanding Clinical Contributions in 2011. Kathy is known for her humor, warmth, respect, and depth of knowledge as a clinician and teacher, and for her capacity to present complex issues in easily understood and clear ways. She is sought as a consultant and supervisor, and as an international lecturer on topics related to trauma, dissociation, attachment, and psychotherapy. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues around the world on clinical, educational, and research projects. Kathy has (co)authored numerous book chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, and two award winning books with her colleagues. She is currently working on a third book--a practical clinical manual for treatment of dissociative disorders--with Dutch colleagues Suzette Boon, PhD and Onno van der Hart, PhD.

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Sandra Hale
No Frame

Sandra J. Hale, MA, LPC

Phone: 404-321-4954, ext. 308

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Psychotherapist with a Master’s degree in Humanistic Psychology from the State University of West Georgia. I completed a post-graduate psychotherapy residency specializing in trauma recovery, PTSD, dissociation, attachment, depression, anxiety, and couples therapy. For several years I worked in a center in Atlanta with men and women in addiction and trauma recovery and since 2004 have been in private practice at Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates.In my private practice I offer individual, couples, and group psychotherapy facilitating integration of mind, body, and spirit with a focus on self-empowerment. At the core of Humanistic Psychology is the belief that human beings are internally motivated to evolve, grow, and heal. A holistic integration process involves an expansion of awareness to access innate motivation and wisdom, to work with conflicts and unconscious blocks, and to promote crisis resolution. This shift to the realization of wholeness and self-sufficiency empowers a new level of conscious choice bringing soul satisfaction and meaningful purpose to one’s life.My main areas of interest and experience include working with:• Adult survivors of childhood trauma, abuse, neglect• Addiction recovery• Dissociative disorders• Anxiety and depression• Couples therapy• Relationships and family systems• Discovery and fulfillment of life purpose• Realization of potential to manifest dreamsI have extensive experience facilitating groups including Adult Women and Men Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Addiction Recovery, Spirituality in the Healing Process, Grief and Loss, Anger Management, Meditation, and Therapist Healer Archetype. As a registered and certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Etherikos Energetic Healing Process practitioner, I assist clients in developing visualization and relaxation techniques. I lead experiential, self-exploratory Orders of Love Family Systems Workshops supporting the renewal of a flow of love in family and relational systems.With a background of over 20 years of corporate experience culminating in upper management, I have conducted training programs and national seminars in management, marketing, leadership skills, conflict resolution, and building self-empowering work environments. At the core of my work in the corporate world was a solution-oriented approach, which significantly influences the psychotherapy process I now offer.

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Steve Harris

Steve Harris, LCSW

Phone: 404-321-4954, ext. 303

Steve Harris is a licensed clinical social worker and has been in private practice as a psychotherapist since 1987. He has worked extensively with a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties, addiction and recovery, couples, families and groups, men's issues, and survivors of childhood trauma. Steve has written, lectured, led workshops, and provided training, supervision and consultation in these areas. His interests include helping people address compulsion and freedom in the areas of sex, work, relationships and spirituality. In addition to providing psychotherapy aimed at problem resolution and change, Steve assists individuals seeking greater health, creativity, and thriving.Having worked in a variety of treatment settings, Steve has been with MPA since 1992 and helped found Metropolitan Counseling Services low cost clinic in 1995, where he has been a clinical supervisor for ten years. Steve is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist and a CSAT Approved Supervisor for therapists training in sexual addiction treatment.From 2001-2004, Steve was the Atlanta Representative for the Musicians' Assistance Program helping chemically addicted musicians get treatment and recovery to resume productive careers in music.

Sandra Hale

Steve Harris

Myles Hassler

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Angert Morris

Kathy Steele

Kathie Thodeson

Services

MPA provides services for a wide variety of emotional issues and psychological difficulties.

Depression and anxietyTrauma/abuse/ neglectPosttraumatic Stress Dissociative disordersAddiction and recoverySexual addictionRelationship and intimacy issuesFamily systemsOpen relationshipsMen's and women's issuesGLBT issuesFertility and perinatal issuesSexual problemsGrief and lossParenting issuesSpirituality issuesCreativity/performance anxietyChronic illness and adjustmentCareer guidance

Druid Chase
Druid Chase Resident Geese
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Individual child, adolescent, and adult psychotherapy

Couples therapy

Family therapy

Group psychotherapy

Skills training groups

Play therapy

Supervision and training for therapists

Consultation for therapists and their clients

Professional education and workshops

Philosophy

Our Philosophy

Trusting ~ We believe that working together collaboratively in a trusting relationship is at the heart of effective psychotherapy.Discovering ~ We believe that psychotherapy is a process of discovery which facilitates integration of cognitive understanding and emotional experience, and their reflection in the body. Learning ~ We believe that acquiring new, meaningful ways of personal understanding in therapy opens up additional choices, and supports positive decision-making in one’'s life. Unfolding ~ Our overall approach focuses on the centrality of subjective human experience, human growth and development, and the discovery and expression of human potential.Empowering ~ Psychotherapy is a process that gradually becomes a part of one’'s internal experience and continues in one’'s life after therapy is completed.About Counseling and PsychotherapyTherapy is not magic, or something that is done to you. Rather it is an alliance that supports you in gaining understanding, improving your relationships, and making needed changes. There are differences between counseling and psychotherapy. Counseling is generally short-term, focused on a specific problem in the present, and is a time during which you will receive support, advice and guidance, and learn new skills. The focus is on behavioral change rather than on underlying causes of the behavior. Psychotherapy is often more long term and focuses on understanding and changing problematic and fundamental patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving, and the ways in which you relate to your self and others. Many people wish to change, but cannot seem to do so. Psychotherapy helps you overcome obstacles to change by examining and changing the root causes of your problems.Both counseling and psychotherapy require a strong commitment to change, the willingness to tolerate some discomfort to get where you want to be, compassion for self and others, and a curiosity about how your mind works. Therapy is most effective when you put consistent effort toward self-reflection and change.
Resources

Websites

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) StudyAmerican Psychological AssociationArticles, Research, and Resources in Psychology (award winning)Coping with DissociationDavid Baldwin's Trauma Pages (award winning)Ellert Nijenhuis, PhDInternational Society for the Study of Trauma and DissociationInternational Society for Traumatic Stress StudiesKathy Steele, MN, CSMyles Hassler, MS, LPC, CEAPNational Center for PTSDOnno van der Hart, PhDSensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (Pat Ogden, PhD)Sidran Institute for Traumatic Stress StudiesPrevent Child Abuse Georgia, Inc.The Trauma Center at JRI (Bessel van der Kolk, PhD)Valor Institute

This page is under construction

New Client Info

New Client Information

To schedule an appointment, click on Who We Are for the phone number of the therapist with whom you would like to speak. You may also call 404-321-4954 to get the same information. Leave a message for the therapist including your name, phone numbers, and best times to reach you within usual business hours. Your call will be returned as soon as possible, and an appointment will be scheduled for you. If necessary, your therapist will assist you in finding additional referrals that better meet your needs.

Once you have scheduled an appointment, download the Informed Consent for Therapy and New Client Information forms, located on the right. You can save time if you fill them out at home and bring them with you to your first appointment. If you are unable to fill out the forms in advance, we suggest you arrive at least 15 - 20 minutes prior to your appointment so you can complete them before you see your therapist.

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Informed Consent for Therapy.pdf

New Client Information Sheet rev 122011.pdf

Informed Consent for Therapy.pdf

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Contact Us

Contact Us

Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates

2801 Buford Highway NE

Suite 470

Atlanta, Georgia 30329

Phone 404-321-4954

Fax 404-321-1928

MPA is conveniently located in Druid Chase Office Park on Buford Highway, between the junctions of I-85 and North Druid Hills and I-85 and Lenox Road/Cheshire Bridge Road exits. Our offices are handicapped accessible and on the MARTA bus line.

Click here for directions

Directions

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Directions

Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates

2801 Buford Highway NE

Suite 470

Atlanta, Georgia 30329

From I-85 S , take the N. Druid Hills Road Exit. Turn right onto N. Druid Hills. At the second stoplight, turn LEFT on West Druid Hills Road. You will see a red sign that says DRUID CHASE, and a sign for the DOUBLETREE HOTEL. Follow W. Druid Hills and turn LEFT at the 2801 building. We are in Suite 470.

From I-85 N , take the N. Druid Hills Road Exit to the NORTH. This will be the left fork of the exit. . Turn right onto N. Druid Hills. At the second stoplight, turn LEFT on West Druid Hills Road. You will see a red sign that says DRUID CHASE, and a sign for the DOUBLETREE HOTEL. Follow W. Druid Hills and turn LEFT at the 2801 building. We are in Suite 470.

From GA 400, take Sydney Marcus Blvd. Exit and turn LEFT. Turn LEFT on Buford Highway. Go about 1 mile and turn RIGHT at the red sign that says 2801 DRUID CHASE. If you reach N. Druid Hills Road, you have missed the turn, but you may continue by turning right on N. Druid Hills, and then right again on W. Druid Hills Road. We are in Suite 470.

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Home

Who We Are

Kathie Thodeson

Shanna Jackson

Lisa Morris

Myles Hassler

Kathy Steele

2801 Buford Highway NE Suite 470 Atlanta, GA 30329