Tamela R McDonald
Hi, I’m Tamela! I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, clinical supervisor, and Sexuality Educator with more than a decade of clinical experience. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, self-esteem, intimacy, and sexual wellness. My style is warm, down-to-earth, collaborative, and appropriately challenging. Therapy with me is a space to better understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, strengthen self-awareness, develop practical coping and communication skills, and create meaningful change. I believe therapy should feel personal—not one-size-fits-all. Together, we’ll identify what matters most to you and build practical tools to help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and emotional well-being.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Certified Professional Supervisor (CPS), and Sexuality Educator dedicated to helping adults heal, grow, and thrive.
First session
Your first session is about getting to know you. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what’s been happening in your life, what you’d like to change, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I’ll ask questions to better understand your history, relationships, strengths, and current concerns while giving you space to share at your own pace. Before we wrap up, we’ll begin identifying goals and discuss what our work together may look like. You can expect a warm, nonjudgmental conversation and you don’t have to come in with everything figured out.
Strengths
I bring warmth, honesty, curiosity, and a little humor into the therapy room. I’m a strong listener, but I’m also not afraid to challenge you when needed. I help clients recognize patterns, explore different perspectives, and connect the dots between their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and behaviors. My approach is collaborative and practical. I want you to leave sessions not only feeling heard, but with greater insight and tools you can actually use in your everyday life.
Ideal clients
I work best with clients who are open to honest conversations, willing to explore patterns, and ready to be both supported and challenged as they work toward the life and relationships they want. My ideal client is an adult who is ready to better understand themselves and make meaningful changes, even if they’re not quite sure where to start. You may be navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, low self-esteem, or a major life transition or simply feeling stuck and ready for something different.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I bring over a decade of experience in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. I will do my best to support you in developing the skills necessary to effectively manage your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have more than ten years of experience applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) methodologies. I will do my best to guide and empower you in cultivating adaptive coping strategies and enhancing emotional regulation skills through education and support.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Utilizing Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), our emphasis will be on addressing the present moment. Together, we will concentrate on identifying and implementing practical solutions to your current challenges, fostering a proactive approach towards achieving your desired goals.
Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
I am a CAMS Certified™ and CAMS Trained™ clinician with experience providing suicide-specific care in both crisis and outpatient settings. My approach to the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) is grounded in collaboration, empathy, and evidence-based practice. I value CAMS because it empowers clients to actively participate in their recovery, strengthens hope, and focuses treatment on resolving the underlying drivers of suicidality rather than simply managing risk.
Gottman method
My approach to couples therapy is informed by the Gottman Method and focuses on strengthening friendship, improving communication, managing conflict, and rebuilding trust. I use Gottman assessments and evidence-based interventions to identify relationship strengths and challenges, helping couples recognize unhealthy patterns such as criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling while developing healthier ways to communicate and resolve conflict. I emphasize emotional connection, active listening, repair attempts, and shared goals. I integrate Gottman Method principles with CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy to tailor treatment to each couple's unique needs. My experience includes working with couples experiencing communication difficulties, parenting differences, infidelity, intimacy concerns, and major life transitions.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions2180 Satellite Blvd NW, Duluth, GA 30097, Suite 400
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- GeorgiaLicense LPC009009
- North CarolinaLicense 19310