LPC, 23 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m Kim Ivester, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 23 years of experience working in both community and school settings across Georgia. I work with adolescents and adults, helping them navigate life’s challenges and transitions at different stages. Teens often face stress from school, friendships, self-esteem, anxiety, or depression, while adults may be managing major life changes, relationship challenges, or the pressure of balancing multiple responsibilities. I understand how unique each stage of life can be, and I strive to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. My approach is empathetic and practical—I listen closely, help you set meaningful goals, and guide you in building the skills and confidence you need to create positive change and find balance in your life.
We’ll start by reviewing your intake assessments and talking about what’s been most challenging for you. I’ll ask questions to better understand your concerns, how they’re affecting your daily life, and what feels most important to you right now. Together, we’ll develop a plan and set goals that feel realistic and meaningful. My hope is that you’ll leave that first session with a sense of direction and relief, knowing that we have a plan in place—and that you’re not alone in figuring things out.
I’ve been a licensed therapist in Georgia since 2002, and most of my work has focused on helping adolescents and young adults. I also serve as a high school counselor, which means I spend every day supporting students through everything from crisis situations to planning for their future after graduation. That mix of therapy and school counseling gives me a unique perspective—I understand both the emotional challenges young people face and the practical pressures of school, friendships, and big life decisions. People usually tell me I’m easy to talk to and that I really listen. I try to bring a lot of empathy into my sessions, but I’ll also help keep you on track so you can make progress toward your goals. My job is to meet you where you are, help you sort through what’s going on, and give you the tools to feel more confident and in control of your life.
I work with clients who are navigating stress, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, or conflicts in relationships or family dynamics. Therapy with me is a space where you can talk openly, feel supported, and learn new ways to manage emotions and challenges. Together, we’ll work on building confidence, improving communication, and finding healthy ways to cope so you can feel more like yourself again. You don’t have to face these challenges alone—I’m here to help you move forward with support and understanding.
In my work, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy often because it’s such a practical and effective approach. What I really like about CBT is how it helps people see the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I’ve found that once clients start noticing those patterns, they feel more in control and better equipped to make changes. When I use CBT, I usually focus on helping clients identify the negative or unhelpful thoughts that may be driving their emotions and actions. From there, we work on ways to reframe those thoughts and practice healthier coping skills. I often encourage clients to use tools like journaling or small at-home exercises so they can practice between sessions. Over time, I’ve seen this process help people build confidence, reduce stress, and feel more balanced in their day-to-day lives.
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy with clients who are dealing with strong emotions, relationship struggles, or stress that feels hard to manage. What I like about DBT is that it balances two important ideas: accepting where you are right now while also working toward change. That combination can feel really empowering for clients. In sessions, I often focus on DBT skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. For example, we might practice ways to stay present during stressful moments, or talk through strategies for handling conflict in a healthier way. I’ve found that these tools give clients something concrete to lean on, and over time they build more confidence in their ability to handle difficult situations and emotions.