LCSW, 11 years of experience
Dr. Tonia Hoskins is a licensed LCSW and founder of PEACE. She is a two time graduate from Georgia State University where she received a bachelor's and master's degree in social work. Dr. Hoskins is also a PhD graduate from Walden University where she completed her research in the exploration of the African American woman's clinical experience with European American clinicians. Dr. Hoskins maintains a vast variety of skills as a therapist and life coach with a specialization in aging and forensics. She has held positions ranging from the forensic liaison in Fulton County, where she assisted with interactions with severe child abuse and sex trafficking cases, the collaboration of governmental and community agencies. Dr. Hoskins continued her career as she managed the social work, volunteers, and veterans department in a hospice settings. As an Army veteran herself, Dr. Hoskins was able to provide mental health services to veterans throughout their final transition. She also served as the clinical director and quality assurance manager for a mental health agency. Dr. Hoskins comprehends the significance of maintaining relationships and acknowledges each individual’s truth, based on their perspective and experience. Dr. Hoskins aims to increase cultural competency amongst minorities through her continued efforts within the community and through research. Dr. Hoskins believes it to be her duty and obligation to increase the accessibility of services to all populations to not only insure equality but also effective delivery of services.
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a trusting, comfortable relationship. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can speak freely and feel heard without judgment. 1. Introductions and Building Rapport We start by talking about what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from the process. I’ll share a little about my background, my approach to therapy, and how we’ll work together as a team. 2. Reviewing Confidentiality and Expectations I’ll explain how confidentiality works, including your privacy rights and the few exceptions (such as safety concerns). We’ll also discuss session structure, scheduling, and what you can expect from me as your therapist. 3. Exploring Your Concerns and Goals Much of the first session is focused on understanding your current situation — your challenges, strengths, and what’s most important to you. Together, we’ll begin identifying your goals for therapy, whether that’s managing stress, improving relationships, reducing anxiety, or developing coping skills. 4. Assessment and Background Information I may ask questions about your emotional health, personal history, and daily life to get a full picture of your experiences. This helps me tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs and circumstances. 5. Introduction to the Therapeutic Approach I’ll explain how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help you. With CBT, we’ll look at how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, and begin learning practical tools to shift unhelpful thinking patterns. With DBT, we’ll focus on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and coping strategies to help you manage stress and respond to challenges more effectively. 6. Collaborative Planning By the end of the session, we’ll identify some initial steps or focus areas for our next meeting. I may offer a simple reflection exercise or coping strategy for you to try between sessions. 7. A Supportive, Judgment-Free Space Above all, your first session is a chance to feel supported. You don’t have to have everything figured out — therapy is a process, and the first step is simply showing up and being open to it.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the way I blend evidence-based interventions with genuine empathy, validation, and empowerment. My work is grounded in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which allows me to meet clients where they are — helping them understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also teaching them skills to manage distress, regulate emotions, and build healthier relationships. I believe therapy should be both insightful and practical. Clients leave sessions with tools they can use immediately — whether that’s a new coping strategy, a reframed perspective, or a plan to approach a challenging situation differently. My methods emphasize collaboration and personal growth, helping clients feel empowered to take an active role in their own healing and development. As a clinical social worker, I take a holistic and strengths-based view of each person. I consider not only individual challenges but also the environmental, cultural, and systemic factors that shape a person’s experience. This broader understanding allows me to tailor interventions that honor each client’s values, identity, and lived experience. Clients often describe the process as transformative — they feel more aware, emotionally balanced, and confident in their ability to navigate life’s challenges. My ultimate goal is to help each person move toward greater self-awareness, stability, and fulfillment — not just symptom relief, but lasting change and resilience.
I support you in facing major life transitions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, marriage counseling, family counseling, changes in employment, environmental changes, business development, establishing leadership skills and changes in personal relationships. We also promote unity, self-respect, self-esteem, empowerment, and a spirit of community service in our youth. It is my honor to serve those wanting to create positive change in their lives. Please let us know how we may serve you. The ideal mental health client is someone who is open to self-exploration and committed to the process of personal growth. They recognize the value of mental health care and are willing to actively engage in the therapeutic process. This includes attending scheduled sessions consistently, participating honestly and openly, and applying insights and strategies discussed in therapy to their daily life. An ideal client is motivated to make changes, even when those changes may be difficult or uncomfortable. They demonstrate a willingness to reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and are open to feedback from the clinician. While they may struggle with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or other challenges, they show a desire to understand and manage their mental health more effectively. This client respects boundaries, collaborates on treatment goals, and takes personal responsibility for their progress. They may not have all the answers — or even know where to begin — but they show up with a readiness to learn, grow, and heal.
How I Use CBT in therapy: 1. Assessment and Collaboration I begin by building rapport and understanding the client’s current concerns, background, and goals. Together, we identify specific issues or patterns that are causing distress or interfering with functioning. CBT is collaborative, so I work with clients to explore how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. 2. Identifying Automatic Thoughts I help clients become aware of their automatic thoughts—the quick, often negative thoughts that arise in response to situations. For example, a client might think, “I always mess things up” after making a small mistake. We discuss how these thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. 3. Challenging and Reframing Thinking Patterns Using guided questioning, I encourage clients to evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of their thoughts. We identify cognitive distortions (such as catastrophizing, overgeneralization, or black-and-white thinking) and develop more balanced, evidence-based ways of thinking. 4. Behavioral Interventions CBT emphasizes action. I support clients in developing healthier behaviors that align with their goals. This might include: Behavioral activation (increasing positive or meaningful activities) Exposure exercises for anxiety or avoidance patterns Relaxation and grounding techniques for stress management Skill-building for communication, problem-solving, or emotional regulation 5. Homework and Practice I assign between-session activities—like thought records, journaling, or practicing new behaviors—so clients can apply CBT skills in real-life situations. This reinforces learning and promotes self-efficacy. 6. Review and Reinforcement In each session, we review progress, discuss challenges, and refine strategies. Over time, clients learn to become their own therapists, recognizing unhelpful thought patterns early and using CBT tools independently. A client struggling with social anxiety might believe, “People will think I’m stupid if I speak up.” Through CBT, we identify this as a distorted thought, test it against real experiences, and practice balanced thinking like, “I can’t know what others think, but I can focus on expressing myself clearly.” Then, we use behavioral experiments (like speaking in a small group) to reinforce confidence.
How I Use DBT in Therapy 1. Creating a Supportive, Nonjudgmental Environment I begin by establishing a safe, validating, and collaborative relationship. DBT emphasizes validation — acknowledging that a client’s feelings and behaviors make sense in the context of their experiences, even when change is needed. This balance between acceptance and change forms the foundation of my therapeutic approach. 2. Teaching Core DBT Skills I integrate DBT’s four core skill modules to help clients develop emotional stability and effective coping strategies: Mindfulness: I help clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment, teaching them to observe without judgment. Distress Tolerance: I teach practical tools to manage crises and intense emotions without making situations worse — such as grounding, self-soothing, or distraction strategies. Emotion Regulation: I assist clients in identifying, labeling, and understanding their emotions, and learning how to reduce emotional vulnerability and reactivity. Interpersonal Effectiveness: I help clients strengthen communication skills, set boundaries, and maintain self-respect while navigating relationships. 3. Balancing Acceptance and Change DBT is unique because it blends validation (acceptance) with cognitive-behavioral strategies (change). I encourage clients to accept themselves as they are while also working toward meaningful change. For example, I might validate a client’s emotional pain while helping them find new ways to respond that align with their long-term goals. 4. Use of Skills Coaching and Real-Life Application I often assign between-session practice, encouraging clients to use DBT skills in real-world situations. This might include mindfulness logs, distress tolerance plans, or emotion regulation exercises. We review these experiences in session, identifying successes and problem-solving challenges. 5. Focus on Emotional and Behavioral Patterns Through chain analysis, I help clients identify the sequence of thoughts, emotions, and events that lead to problematic behaviors. Together, we look for points in the chain where DBT skills can be used to interrupt unhealthy patterns and foster more adaptive responses. 6. Promoting Self-Empowerment and Resilience Ultimately, my goal is to help clients become more emotionally resilient, build healthier relationships, and create a life that feels meaningful. DBT provides a structured yet compassionate framework that supports growth, healing, and self-acceptance. Example (Brief Case Illustration) For a client with intense emotional swings or impulsive behavior, I might use DBT to teach mindfulness and distress tolerance techniques. When they feel overwhelmed, we practice grounding exercises or use the “STOP” skill to pause before reacting. Over time, this helps the client feel more in control and confident managing their emotions.