Meet the Team

Kristi Atkins, Ed.D, LPC, CPCS

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my counseling practices. The most important part of counseling is the relationship, and I strive to be honest and supportive while challenging my clients to grow and change. In my experience, people come to counseling because they are in emotional pain, feel stuck, or want help achieving their dreams and goals. We all face painful changes and transitions in life, such as loss or illness, relationship issues, substance use, self-worth, identity issues, lack of connection or meaning, traumas, and grief. It is natural for these changes to bring up issues from the past, and counseling can help you cope in the present moment.

I completed my doctorate in Professional Counseling and Supervision at the University of West Georgia in 2022. I obtained my CPCS in 2018 and currently provide supervision to clinicians seeking licensure. I have over 15 years of experience in the counseling field.

My areas of expertise include relationship and family issues, trauma, substance use and recovery, anxiety, and depression. I am interested in helping individuals develop coping skills, improve communication, and manage emotions. I help individuals gain insights into patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that impact their interpersonal relationships in ways that create distress or prevent them from experiencing what they want from life.

Asking for help takes courage and strength. We are not intended to go through life alone. I am here to offer compassion, respect, and guidance. It is my privilege to listen to your story, and create a safe, non-judgmental space to help you experience healing, self-compassion, growth, and, most importantly, live the life you want to live.

Sarah Nitz, LCSW

Life can often be difficult and emotions can feel overwhelming. Sometimes it feels as though the rug has been pulled out from underneath us. Maybe you're dealing with your own mental health, you have a loved one struggling with substance use, you're navigating infertility, or you're having a hard time setting boundaries. Whatever it is that has lead you here, I'm glad you are reaching out. I hope to provide a space to you that honors your story and facilitates personal growth. I believe that each of us deserve to find healing and that includes you. I really believe that asking for help can be one of the bravest things we do.

I enjoy using different approaches in counseling such as solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapies. I believe that you are the expert of your life. I have 12 years of experience working with clients who have experienced trauma, relationship difficulties with intimate partners and family members, women's issues and general mental health concerns. I received my Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia in 2012.

I want to honor the courage it took for you to reach out and offer you a place that is welcoming and nonjudgmental. I value your story and the experiences that lead you here. I look forward to hearing from you. We all deserve a safe space where we can let our walls down, even if just for a little while.

Virginia Synan, M.Ed, NCC

Sometimes it feels like life is throwing more at us than we can handle. It can be incredibly difficult to grapple with unexpected changes and the emotions that come along with them. When those changes happen, it is easy to feel alone and like there is no way out. I want to create a counseling environment where you can uncover feelings and understand the effects they have on your life. No one can understand those feelings better than you can!

I have experience working with individuals across the lifespan dealing with family changes, depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. I work primarily with children and adolescents using play therapy, solution-focused techniques, and person-centered therapy. My goal is to provide young people with a trusted adult to listen to them and a safe space to express what they are truly thinking and feeling. I believe the unconditional positive regard offered in therapy can equip children with the confidence and resilience they need to overcome any obstacles.

Asking for help is one of the first and hardest steps toward healing. I want to celebrate you for taking that step and cheer you on as you navigate how to continue to move forward. I look forward to hearing from you and would be honored to come alongside you as you reach your goals.

Virginia is under supervision of Kristi Atkins, LPC, CPCS