The short answer? Absolutely. But let me explain why that matters. A lot of couples ask me this when they first reach out. They’re in love, committed, and planning their future together. But they’re not religious, and they’re wondering if premarital counseling is really for them. I get it. For years, premarital counseling has been talked about mostly in church...[ read more ]
As a marriage counselor in Atlanta, GA, and someone who’s sat on both sides of the couch—as a client and now a therapist—I get it. Bringing up premarital counseling can feel a little nerve-wracking. You’re excited about the future with your partner, things are going well, and the last thing you want is to come off like you’re waiting for...[ read more ]
Sometimes couples come into counseling not because something's broken, but because something feels off and they can’t quite name it. One person feels things deeply and reacts quickly, while the other shuts down and pulls away. Neither response is wrong, but without understanding where those patterns come from, they can start to feel personal. You think your partner is pulling...[ read more ]
As a Black Christian therapist in Atlanta, I often work with individuals and couples from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. One thing I’ve learned through both my personal faith journey and my work in the therapy room is that diversity isn’t something to be feared. Nor is it something to be merely tolerated either. It’s something to...[ read more ]
Spiritual trauma can be difficult to name. But if you’ve experienced it, you know how deeply it can shape your life. I’ve worked with clients who’ve been told that their worth depends on obedience. Others who’ve been discouraged from trusting their own thoughts or feelings. Some who still carry fear, not just of people, but of God’s judgment. For many,...[ read more ]
In my work as a counselor and pastor, I’ve had many people walk into my office carrying invisible burdens. These include traumas from childhood, painful memories from relationships, or moments of loss that still sting years later. These experiences can quietly shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and even how we relate to God. One of...[ read more ]
A question I often get a lot as a marriage counselor in Atlanta is "Why do you not take insurance?". I know that a lot of people are confused when therapists and counselors don't take insurance. But let me reassure you, there is a good reason. Insurance is thought to cover what you need and be a safety net. But...[ read more ]
You've taken the steps to begin relationship counseling. Maybe you're both ready to work through communication issues, or perhaps one partner is dealing with personal challenges that are affecting the relationship. Whatever the reason, starting relationship counseling can feel intimidating and uncertain. You might not know what to expect or how it will benefit your relationship. That's why I wrote...[ read more ]
You and your partner are considering marriage counseling, but you can't help but wonder why couples go to counseling in the first place. Is it only when they are on the brink of divorce? Maybe it is a last resort? To be truthful, this is often what couples do but that doesn't mean marriage counseling is only for troubled relationships....[ read more ]
As a marriage counselor in Atlanta, GA, I get this question a lot, "Why should a couple consider a marital intensive?" My answer is always the same. It's an investment in your most valuable relationship - your marriage. Couples often come to me when they are on the brink of divorce, feeling like they have exhausted all other options and...[ read more ]