WELCOME TO ATTENTO COUNSELING—KENNESAW
Reach us at: 470.893.1052 or Kennesaw@attentocounseling.com
Practice Co-Directors: Joseph Schelling/Vanessa Desir
Guest Engagement Manager: Emilie Schelling
Conveniently located five (5) minutes north of Kennesaw State University and only five (5) minutes from the I-75 & Wade Green Road intersection, our Lakefront office space offers views from all counseling offices and a warm and welcoming environment. In just a few short steps from our parking lot you will be in our office and greeted with a warm and welcoming smile. We have a seasoned team of professionals in Kennesaw who are ready to meet your counseling/coaching needs.
Therapists at Attento Counseling (Kennesaw)
Joe Schelling, BSW, CLC, Clinical Coordinator
Joe Schelling serves as clinical coordinator for the Kennesaw, Marietta and Cumming locations. He has oversight of scheduling, intake, reception and other operational aspects of the three practices. He leans on his years of upper management and leadership expertise as he helps grow the practices.
Joe also serves as a Certified Life Coach. He has a passion to help people get from where they are to where they want to be – with primary population men going through career and/or life transitions, those feeling “stuck” and not knowing what to do next and young men who have limited positive male impact. All interactions revolve around client centered goal setting and is focused on helping the client develop the personal goals and objective to help them get to where they want to be. He brings nearly 20 experience in helping people transition to his coaching practice. He has worked in residential settings, hospital settings and community agencies helping parents, teens and young adults at-risk transition into desired settings. He has extensive experience with teens and young adults with developmental and environmental disabilities. Joe has worked in both the clinical and leadership roles. He brings a Christian perspective to all approaches and interactions. As a former youth pastor he has a interest in assisting others through traditionally difficult transition periods of life from a christian perspective
James Mann,
LMFT
James Mann is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Georgia with 10 years of clinical experience. He earned his Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. He specializes in the treatment of individuals, couples, and families struggling with various mental health conditions. James serves client population ages ranging from 5 yrs. old to 65+ yrs. of age.
As an LMFT, James has received extensive clinical training working with various types of relationship distress. This could range from communication breakdown within the couple/family or infidelity and co-parenting. He treats the individual and family with a holistic approach to treatment looking at the broad picture considering the physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual domains of a person’s well-being. He also treats depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, addictions, and personality disorders.
As a nine-year Navy Veteran of the U. S. military, James also works extensively with military families struggling with PTSD and soldiers serving multiple deployments. He has experience in helping survivors of ritual and cult abuse stemming from mind control and programming. Additionally, he is trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidenced-based approach to treating children who have suffered extreme child abuse. He is also a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Rebecca Huls, MS, LPC
Rebecca obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University, and her Master of Science in Mental Health & Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary University of London. She has over 7 years in the field of mental health and held previous roles as an Assistant Psychologist in the UK, a Behavior Data Analyst with the Marcus Autism Center, and Lead Assessor with Willowbrooke Behavioral Health in Villa Rica, GA. While at Willowbrooke, Rebecca was twice nominated for Employee of the Quarter and established Inpatient programming on Emotional Freedom Technique, Guided Imagery, Meditation, and Yoga.
She believes in a holistic approach to mental health in which traditional therapeutic intervention works best when coupled with appropriate self-care. Her interests lie in women’s issues & female empowerment, trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and helping individuals become the best version of themselves.
Nerissa Pratt, LPC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor that has been practicing for 16 years. During that time period, I have been a therapist in a variety of settings including; community based services, military installations, and private practice. Within those settings, I provided counseling services to military service members and their families, teens, adults, families, and couples in the following areas:
- Depression and Bipolar Disorder
- Marriage/Couples issues
- Self-image and Self-Esteem Issues
- Teen Issues; Peer Pressure,
- Parent/Child Relational Problems
- Personality Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Anger and Stress Management
- Dual Diagnoses
- Social skills
- LGBTQIA
- Family issues
- Military adjustments and struggles
I strive to support and empower my clients in a non-judgmental and welcoming environment. I believe that by using the strengths you already have and building on them, we can help you navigate through the challenges that are preventing you from the living the life you want to. My theory is that if you can learn to challenge and replace any irrational thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs, it will enable you to experience the change you are striving for. In addition, I believe in a holistic approach that incorporates the health of the mind, body, and spirit.
Although I am Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I utilize a blend of therapy modalities which incorporate the best practice from Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavior, Solution Focused, and Motivational Interviewing. I believe in an approach that is holistic, eclectic, and guided by the individual needs of my client.
I would be more than happy to speak with you and give any more information you may need to determine if I would be a good fit to help you get to where you want to be.
Lisa Mustillo,
LCSW
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes that a warm, supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of successful psychotherapy. I received my Masters in Social Work from New York University and completed post-graduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Most of my experience has been working in community mental health clinics which led me to specialize in providing compassionate psychotherapy to individuals suffering from traumatic histories, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
My goal as a psychotherapist is to provide you with a safe space to discuss, explore and examine painful thoughts and feelings that keep you from living a peaceful life. I practice in a client-centered therapeutic style which means that I adapt my style to best serve the needs of the clients I serve. With compassion and warmth, I help my clients gain an understanding of the underlying causes of their depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. I help clients cultivate insight into the emotional pain that negatively affects their functioning, and assist in the development and implementation of healthy coping strategies that naturally lead to improved functioning and peaceful living.
Some of the areas that I specialize in are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low-Self Esteem
- Sexual Abuse
- Relationship Struggles
- Adjustment and Transition
Dr. Juanita E. Brigman, Ed.D., LCSW
Dr. Juanita Brigman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Georgia who has over 10 years of clinical experience both hospital and community based. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s of Social Work from the University of Maryland. She provides individual and family counseling using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified Parent Child Interaction Therapy, and Mindfulness practice. She conducts and utilizes the results from child, adolescent, and family assessments to improve overall outcomes to better serve her clients. She has extensive training and research in early childhood mental health issues (Autism Spectrum, ADD, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder), teen depression, and multicultural counseling. She also provides trauma focused therapy with adults, teens, and youth. Her passion is seeing individuals and families grow and thrive despite life’s challenges.
Clinical Specializations:
- Depression/mood disorders
- Adjustment issues
- Behavior management
- Parenting
- Couples
- Life stressors
- Anxiety
- Family therapy
- Trauma
- Social/Emotional Dysregulation
Kimberly Wilson, LCSW, Psychotherapist
Kimberly M. Wilson is a solution-focused therapist with ten years experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment. She earned her Master’s Degree at Kennesaw State University. Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Kimberly uses CBT and REBT along with Mindfulness Exercises, Expressive Therapies, and Art-Based Interventions when applicable. She also incorporates the healing power of humor, when appropriate. Kimberly specializes in Prenatal & Postpartum Counseling, Addressing Unhealthy Habits, Improving Self-Assessment & Self-Care, and helping individuals who feel they are “stuck”. In the therapeutic process, Kimberly provides special attention to the specific issues and needs of the following populations: Adolescents, Young Adults, Middle Adults, Older Adults, Parents with Children Ages 0-5, and Artists/Musicians. Kimberly’s primary goal is to partner with you as a change agent; to help you feel comfortable in your own skin and confident in each step you take towards your desired change.
My area of specialties include:
- Postpartum Depression
- Prenatal Counseling
- Fertility Issues
- Substance Use
- Adolescent Anxiety
- Coping with Change
- Stagnancy and Depression
- Older Adult Issues
Denitra Gaines, LPC
Denitra L. Gaines is a fully licensed psychotherapist who has been providing therapeutic care to individuals, couples and families who experience a myriad of mental health concerns, relationship issues, and life challenges. Denitra offers an empathetic ear and substantial therapeutic skill set to help you create and discover the best version of yourself. Denitra uses Trauma-focused CBT, and DBT among other techniques that have been proven to help reduce distress, improve interpersonal relationships, and allow individuals to manage their moods and thoughts more effectively. Using clinically tested and evidenced-based interventions she has provided clinical care for many individuals who need an empathetic, supportive clinician with valuable insight and skills to help them navigate life’s hurdles. Denitra’s professional approach supports individuals return to healthy living.
Denitra is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the Licensed Professional Counseling Association of Georgia. For the past 3 years she has also been a Lead volunteer licensed professional counselor with “Take This” Outreach Program during Atlanta’s MomoCon. Take This®, Inc. seeks to inform the gaming community about mental health issues, to provide education about mental disorders and mental illness prevention, and to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Denitra is a regular guest on local and regional talk shows, podcast and conferences where she shares her clinical expertise into mental health issues facing the African American Community, women, and other marginalized communities. Denitra also works in the entertainment business alongside well-known people where she uses her influence to provide a platform to open the conversation about mental health and further educate the masses to erase the stigma. Denitra obtained her accredited Masters’ degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Liberty University. She is a fully licensed and a nationally certified counselor in Metro Atlanta.
- Specialties Include:
- Depression/ Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Relationship Issues
- Stress management
- Trauma
- Self-esteem concerns
- Sexual abuse
- LGBTQIA
