Licensed to practice in Georgia and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Life Transitions, Self Esteem and 7 more.
Hi, I'm Derrick, a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and founder of Guardian Path Counseling Services. With more than 15 years of experience in mental health and education, I work with adolescents, teens, and adults facing anxiety, stress, behavioral concerns, emotional challenges, and life's many transitions. My style is supportive, practical, and direct. I believe in plain talk over a lot of clinical jargon and helping people make real progress in ways that actually fit their lives. Therapy should feel like a real conversation where you can be yourself, talk openly about what's going on, and leave with a clearer understanding of your situation and where you'd like to go next.
The first session is really about getting to know each other and talking about what brought you to therapy. We'll spend time discussing what's been going on, what's weighing on you, and what you'd like to be different in your life. I may ask a lot of questions, but there is no pressure to share more than you're comfortable sharing. My goal is to understand your situation, help you feel comfortable, and begin building a plan for moving forward. You can expect a real conversation, plain talk, and a supportive environment where you can be yourself without feeling judged. By the end of the session, my hope is that you'll feel heard, have a better understanding of where you are, and have a clearer idea of where you'd like to go next.
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to balance support with honesty and practical guidance. I believe people deserve a space where they can talk openly, feel understood, and have real conversations about what's going on in their lives. I use plain talk rather than a lot of clinical jargon and focus on helping clients gain clarity, build on their strengths, and make meaningful progress. Clients often appreciate my straightforward but approachable style, my ability to meet them where they are, and my willingness to both support and challenge them when needed. My goal is to help people leave sessions feeling encouraged, empowered, and better equipped to move forward.
I am best positioned to support adolescents, teens, and adults who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, stuck, or struggling to navigate life changes. I work especially well with clients experiencing anxiety, social concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, school or work related stress, confidence issues, and behavioral challenges. My approach tends to be a strong fit for clients who appreciate a supportive but direct style and are looking for practical tools, honest conversation, and real progress. I believe therapy should feel approachable and collaborative, not overly clinical or intimidating. I also work closely with parents of adolescents to help strengthen communication, improve understanding, and support emotional and behavioral growth. Whether someone is dealing with everyday stressors or more longstanding concerns, my goal is to help clients better understand themselves, build confidence, and move forward in a healthier direction.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
One of the approaches I use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is really just a fancy name for looking at how the way we think can affect the way we feel and the choices we make. A lot of us get stuck in habits or ways of thinking that aren't helping us. Sometimes we don't even realize we're doing it. My job is to help you spot those patterns, figure out what's getting in the way, and make changes that help you move in a better direction. I keep things practical and focused on everyday life. Less theory. More figuring out what's happening and what you can do about it.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I don't believe therapy should be about talking in circles. It's important to understand what's going on, but at some point we also need to talk about what can actually be done about it. My goal is to help you gain clarity, cut through the noise, and take practical steps toward the changes you'd like to see in your life. My approach is supportive, direct, and focused on progress. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is helping you move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe one of the most important parts of counseling is having someone you can talk to openly and honestly. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself, speak freely about what's on your mind, and know that you're going to be met with respect rather than judgment. Life can get complicated, and sometimes it's hard to see the path forward when you're in the middle of it. My role is to help you sort through what's going on, gain clarity, and take the next step forward with confidence.
Motivational Interviewing
A lot of people come to counseling because they know something needs to change, but they're not sure where to start. Sometimes they feel stuck. Sometimes they're overwhelmed. Sometimes they already know what they need to do but haven't been able to get moving. My job is to help people cut through the noise, get clear about what's important, and start taking realistic steps forward. .
Strength-Based
Most people are stronger and more capable than they realize. Sometimes they just need help seeing it. I don't spend all of my time looking at what's wrong. I also focus on what's right, what's working, and the strengths you already have that can help you get through difficult situations and move forward.