Athens Counseling & Psychotherapy, LLC

07/29/2025

Discover how ADHD and trauma intersect, why emotional intensity is often misunderstood, and why targeted, neurodivergent-informed therapy is essential for healing....

Discover how ADHD and trauma intersect, why emotional intensity is often misunderstood, and why targeted, neurodivergent-informed therapy is essential for healing.

06/21/2025

Chronic health symptoms impact our lives in unforeseen ways. I just got done with this fascinating process, a Brain MRI!

For women, chronic illness can impact our s*xual wellbeing, marriages and relationships. I have worked seemingly my entire adult life to maintain my physical and s*xual health, and today, I love helping my clients navigate this space.

So, here's a tidbit of information on your s*xual health:

Did you know that women can be more s*xually aroused during menstruation? Higher levels of Testosterone, lower levels of Progesterone, and increased blood flow and sensitivity to the pelvic region can all foster s*xual arousal and interest in s*x. Women also experience less stress around s*x and increased arousal because of the lower risk of pregnancy and so are more easily engaged s*xually.

Moral of the story, MRI machines are fascinating, and there are so many fun ways to play during a woman's menstrual time. How do these two things go together? Ask my neurodivergent brain another day. Happy Friday!

*xualhealth

04/02/2025

Shame is a deeply painful emotion that traps us in cycles of self-judgment and isolation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) provides a powerful framework for healing by helping us accept our experiences, clarify our values, and take meaningful action....

Shame is a deeply painful emotion that traps us in cycles of self-judgment and isolation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) provides a powerful framework for healing by helping us accept our …

03/18/2025

Conflict is natural in relationships, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. Small shifts in how we communicate make a world of difference.

Dr. John Gottman identified four key behaviors that predict relationship distress with over 90% accuracy. Learn to recognize and counteract them with healthier communication habits.

03/11/2025

Anxiety often feels like a storm, pulling us into worst-case scenarios and overwhelming emotions. But what if you could step outside that storm and watch it from a distance? This is where the cognitive technique known as The Observer Mind comes in....

Anxiety often feels like a storm, pulling us into worst-case scenarios and overwhelming emotions. But what if you could step outside that storm and watch it from a distance? This is where the cogni…

03/10/2025

The next Athens Access to Justice clinic will occur, March 22nd, from 9:30-11:30 at the Athens Regional Library, 2025 Baxter St, Athens, GA 30606.

For those not familiar with the concept of the pop-up clinic, attorneys at the clinic provide brief individual consultations on topics including family law (e.g. divorce, child support, legitimation), adoption law, probate law, employment law, criminal record restriction, and landlord-tenant law.

The AATJ clinics have the reputation of providing high quality legal advice in a friendly and caring manner to those who are legally disadvantaged. The volunteer attorneys provide these services free of charge!

If the issue requires more in-depth consultation, a list of legal service/attorney resources is provided for individuals who may wish to seek further assistance beyond the Pop-Up Clinic.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ASE2XCM5h/

03/06/2025

I walked out of this documentary wondering how to go back to my life tomorrow. Should we be changed by these moments? What does that mean, to change?
So thankful Ciné continues to feature this powerful documentary in Athens.
(Trigger warning for anyone going to see it due to graphic and violent war-related content).

How do we build capacity for all of what is occurring in our world and country right now, and still be a part of our lives? How do we find relative safety in the midst of it all? These are questions many of our clients are facing, even as we contend with similar facets as providers.

We are here and have availability.
We don't do waitlists, and generally have space within two weeks.

You can schedule a free virtual consult or go directly to a first session at https://therapyathens.clientsecure.me

In-office and virtual sessions.
BCBS/Aetna/private pay.
Adults 18+

02/28/2025

While we don't recommend self-diagnosis, it is important to be able to recognize potential symptoms, and reach out for support.

Our therapists work with the symptoms of ADHD, will assess for them within the scope of our practice, provide counseling services to support you, and referrals as needed for psychiatric support and medication administration.

We do not provide comprehensive psychological testing required by certain entities. If your prescriber requires more comprehensive testing, we can support a referral to these services for our regular and ongoing clients.

Virtual and in-office sessions available.
We are paneled with BCBS and Aetna.
We provide Superbills for potential reimbursement of private pay or out of pocket costs through insurance policies we are not paneled with.
Adults only counseling services.

Visit https://therapyathens.clientsecure.me to book a 15-minute free virtual consultation, or start your first session.

01/08/2025

“The politicization of gender-affirming care for transgender youth has been driven by a narrative that millions of children are using hormones and that this type of care is too freely given. Our findings reveal that is not the case,” said lead author Landon Hughes, Yerby Fellow in Harvard Chan School’s Department of Epidemiology and postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Chan School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute’s LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence.

Fewer than 1 in 1,000 transgender youth receive hormones or puberty blockers.

11/07/2024

I think as therapists, we're supposed to know what to say... to have the words. And yet, I find myself without words that would adequately convey our thoughts on the incredible struggle our Q***r and Trans communities will face in the coming days. So, I am simply going to share a resource, in case you or someone you know and love needs it.

As a trained and professional Social Worker, immigrant to the US, Southeast Asian, and q***r woman, I approach working with trauma and my clients from a place of community and connection. So, we absolutely talk about times like these, moments that can contain the elements of a sense of inescapability and attack. We do so in a space supported by unconditional empathy and the connection found in therapy as community.

Please know you are not alone. We are here, in our offices, on our online platforms, and in our communities doing our very best to support you. Don't hesitate to reach out.

~Marielle Stair, LCSW,
founder & therapist
Therapyathens.com

09/22/2024

Our space has gone through a bit of a transformation! I am so grateful to be able to host our practice at Athens Mind Body Center (AMBC) since 2019. Happy five years at AMBC!

Marielle is back to seeing clients in the office on Wednesdays, Fridays, and select Saturday afternoons. Virtual sessions still happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Late morning, afternoon, and evening sessions available.

Dani and Jeanie have availability for virtual sessions, and would be happy to consult around your needs.

Our clinicians work with adult individuals, couples, and families.

We work with symptoms across the trauma spectrum, the intersections of adult ADHD, and have specialties in somatic therapy, perinatal mental health, comorbid and co-occurring symptoms.

We work with a diversity of gender expressions, relationship frameworks, are LGBTQIA, poly, and kink affirming. Additionally, Marielle (relationships and individuals) and Dani (individuals only) work with B**M relationships and power dynamics.

You can schedule a free virtual consult or book your first session at https://therapyathens.clientsecure.me

Virtual consultations are currently provided by Marielle Stair, LCSW. She is usually your first point of contact, and will facilitate referrals in-house or otherwise, as needed.

We look forward to serving you in our practice!

08/01/2024

Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a powerful tool in treating .

Work with us! You can schedule a FREE 15-minute virtual consult or go directly to scheduling your first appointment at therapyathens.com