Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program

02/23/2026

Public vs. Private School Evaluations in Georgia: What Parents Should Know

If you are considering a psychological evaluation for your child then you may be wondering:
- Should we request testing through the public school system?
- Or should we pursue a private psychological evaluation?

This is one of the most common questions we hear from parents across Georgia. Here is the key difference:

Public School Evaluations:
Public schools are required to assess students when a disability is suspected to be impacting learning. These evaluations are provided at no cost and are designed to determine eligibility for special education services. The primary focus is academic performance and whether a child qualifies for an IEP.

Private Psychological Evaluations:
Private evaluations, conducted by licensed psychologists, are more comprehensive and diagnostic. They assess not only learning differences, but also ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, mood concerns, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social development. They provide detailed recommendations for home, school, and therapy settings.

In simple terms:
- Public evaluations determine eligibility.
- Private evaluations provide deeper diagnostic clarity.

Neither option is better. They serve different purposes, and in some cases, families use both.

At Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program (PMAP), we provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults in the Atlanta area. We also collaborate with schools when appropriate to ensure recommendations are practical and actionable.

If you are unsure where to begin, a consultation can help clarify next steps. Seeking information is not overreacting. It is advocacy. Learn more about our evaluation services on our website or explore additional educational content on our Substack.

02/18/2026

Social Anxiety Is Treatable. You Do Not Have to Keep Avoiding.

If social situations leave you:

• Replaying conversations for hours
• Avoiding meetings or presentations
• Staying quiet even when you have something to say
• Dreading social invitations

You are not alone. And you do not have to manage this by yourself.

Group therapy for social anxiety is one of the most effective evidence based treatments available because it targets the core fear: being judged.

Avoidance brings short term relief.
Practice builds long term confidence.

In a structured, therapist led group at Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program, you will:

• Practice social interaction in a safe, supportive setting
• Learn CBT tools to challenge anxious thoughts
• Use DBT skills to regulate physical symptoms
• Reduce rumination after social situations
• Build real world confidence through experience

Our anxiety treatment groups in Atlanta are small, structured, and led by licensed psychologists who specialize in evidence based therapy for teens and adults.

If social anxiety has been shrinking your world, this may be the right next step.

Learn more about group therapy for social anxiety in Atlanta:
https://pmapatl.com

Follow us for mental health education and updates:
facebook.com/pmapatl

Offering personalized, evidence-based mental health treatment in Atlanta, available in-person or online, to help you achieve your mental wellness goals.

12/09/2025

🔹 Early Career Psychologist – Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program (Brookhaven, GA)
PMAP is an ideal practice home for early-career clinicians seeking growth, autonomy, and collaboration within a supportive, evidence-based community. We serve adolescents, adults, and families across the Atlanta area with rigor, warmth, and a commitment to measurable outcomes.

• Clinical Focus:
• Individual and family-involved treatment for mood and anxiety disorders; opportunities to treat OCD/OC-spectrum (ERP), trauma (PE), and to work with neurodevelopmental conditions (ASD/ADHD).
• Options to participate in groups (e.g., DBT skills) and select assessment services.

• Professional Growth:
• Weekly consultation team; structured onboarding with steady referral support.
• Clear pathway to expanded responsibility (program/group leadership).

• Compensation & Environment:
• 1099 revenue-share model designed for sustainable growth and clinician autonomy, with transparent metrics.
• Warm, collegial culture; Atlanta/Brookhaven office with hybrid in-person/telehealth flexibility and administrative/EHR support.

• Qualifications:
• PhD/PsyD in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology; GA licensed or license-eligible; commitment to culturally responsive, evidence-based care.

• Apply:
Send CV, cover letter to info@perimetermood.com (subject: “Early Career Psychologist – PMAP”).

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Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program (PMAP) is a collaborative private practice dedicated to delivering evidence-based psychological care while supporting clinician growth and professional fulfillment. Our mission is to foster a practice community where excellence in client care, training, and innovation thrive together.

Call now to connect with business.

12/09/2025

🔹 Post-Doctoral Fellow – Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program (Brookhaven, GA)

PMAP is a collegial, growth-oriented private practice in the Atlanta area. We deliver evidence-based care (CBT, DBT, ERP, PE, parent-based interventions) and provide a supported bridge from internship to independent practice.

• Role & Responsibilities:
• Outpatient therapy with adolescents, young adults, and adults presenting with mood, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental concerns (ASD/ADHD). Optional assessment and groups (e.g., DBT skills).
• Weekly individual supervision and team consultation; collaborative case formulation, outcomes tracking, and ethical care transitions.
• Build a sustainable caseload with structured referral support and thoughtful onboarding.

• Ideal Candidate:
• Doctoral internship completed (or near completion); eligible for GA licensure; committed to culturally responsive, evidence-based care and teamwork.
• Interest in developing specialty expertise (ERP/OCD, trauma/PE, DBT skills, ASD/ADHD assessment) and a private-practice career path.

• Compensation & Training:
• 1099 contractor with income assistance during ramp-up (first three months), then transition to a transparent revenue split with growing autonomy.
• Robust supervision and mentorship designed to meet GA licensure requirements, plus clear pathways to continued employment.
• Atlanta/Brookhaven location with hybrid in-person/telehealth flexibility.

• Apply:
Send CV, cover letter to info@perimetermood.com (subject: “Postdoc – PMAP”).

⸻

Perimeter Mood and Anxiety Program (PMAP) is a collaborative private practice dedicated to delivering evidence-based psychological care while supporting clinician growth and professional fulfillment. Our mission is to foster a practice community where excellence in client care, training, and innovation thrive together.
⸻

Call now to connect with business.

07/14/2025

https://pmapatl.com/blog/book-review-trauma-and-recovery-by-judith-herman-md

A powerful review of Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman, M.D.—a groundbreaking book that explores the impact of trauma and the path to healing. Learn why this classic remains essential reading for therapists, survivors, and advocates in the mental health field.

07/10/2025

Struggling with focus, planning, or organization in a high-stress job? Learn how executive functioning deficits impact performance and discover practical strategies to boost productivity, manage stress, and prevent burnout. Helpful insights for professionals with ADHD or cognitive overwhelm.

07/07/2025

https://pmapatl.com/blog/is-this-autism

07/07/2025

Learn how public and private school evaluations work in Georgia, including timelines, costs, and how to get the right support for your child’s learning, behavioral, or developmental needs.

06/30/2025

Book Review: It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine

A Clinical Psychologist’s Perspective

As a clinical psychologist working with individuals and families facing grief, trauma, and life transitions, I often search for books that offer both compassion and clarity—resources I can confidently recommend to clients navigating profound loss. Megan Devine’s It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand is one of those rare books that meets the moment with honesty, depth, and profound validation.

A Different Kind of Grief Book

Unlike many self-help or grief recovery texts, Devine’s book doesn’t offer a “solution” to grief—because, as she argues powerfully, grief isn’t a problem to be fixed. Instead, she offers readers something much more valuable: permission to feel the depth of their loss without shame, and without pressure to move on or “get better.”

The book is grounded in both Devine’s professional expertise as a psychotherapist and her personal experience with sudden loss following the accidental death of her partner. This dual lens gives her voice an authenticity that resonates deeply with readers and sets this book apart from others in the genre.

Validating the Grieving Process

One of the most powerful messages in It’s OK That You’re Not OK is its validation of emotional pain. In clinical practice, I often see how our culture’s discomfort with grief leads to isolation, disenfranchisement, and sometimes even pathologizing natural responses to loss. Devine challenges the pervasive cultural myths—such as the belief that grief follows predictable stages or that there is a timeline for “healing.” She helps readers understand that grief is not linear, and that love and loss are forever intertwined.

This perspective can be especially helpful for clients who feel pressure to appear “strong” or “resilient” in the face of devastating events. The book reassures them that being broken by grief is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of being human.

Practical Tools Without Platitudes

While Devine resists the urge to offer tidy answers, she does include practical guidance for navigating the day-to-day experience of grief. She speaks to both the grieving person and those around them—offering scripts, validation, and strategies for surviving in a world that often expects people to “get back to normal” far too quickly.

For clinicians, this book is also a valuable reminder to avoid unintentionally minimizing grief through our own therapeutic language or expectations. It challenges us to meet our clients in their pain without trying to rescue them from it.

Who Should Read This Book?

It’s OK That You’re Not OK is a must-read for:

Anyone who has experienced profound loss, whether recent or distant

Friends and family of someone grieving, who want to offer better support

Mental health professionals, clergy, and caregivers who want to deepen their empathy and language around grief

Clients in therapy who may benefit from a resource that normalizes and validates their experience

Final Thoughts

Grief is not a disorder. It doesn’t need fixing. It needs witnessing. Megan Devine’s It’s OK That You’re Not OK offers exactly that—a deeply compassionate witness to the reality of grief. I highly recommend it as both a clinical resource and a personal companion for anyone sitting in the silence that follows loss.

06/27/2025

Helping Adult Children Launch: A Guide for Parents Seeking to Support Independence

“My child is smart, capable, and full of potential… so why are they still living at home, unmotivated, and unsure of what comes next?”

This is one of the most common concerns I hear from parents of young adults in therapy. The transition from adolescence to adulthood has never been more complex, and today’s parents are navigating uncharted territory. Whether your child is 19 or 29, still living at home, disengaged from school or work, and seemingly stuck—it can feel frustrating, confusing, and even heartbreaking.

Let’s talk about how parents can foster growth, set healthy boundaries, and encourage real-world readiness—without damaging relationships.

What Is a “Stalled Transition to Adulthood”?

The term “Stalled Transition to Adulthood” (sometimes referred to as “Failure to Launch) refers to young adults who struggle to transition into independent living. This might look like:

Prolonged dependence on parents for financial support or decision-making
Difficulty securing or maintaining employment
Avoidance of adult responsibilities (e.g., bills, scheduling appointments, contributing to the household)
Social withdrawal, anxiety, or low motivation
Overreliance on video games, social media, or avoidance-based behaviors

Often, these patterns are rooted in anxiety, depression, perfectionism, learning differences, or unresolved family dynamics—not laziness or entitlement.

7 Steps Parents Can Take to Encourage a Transition to Adulthood.

1. Shift from Rescuing to Coaching
Instead of solving problems for your child, start helping them solve their own. Ask reflective questions:

“What’s your plan for handling that?”
“What do you think your next step should be?”

This empowers them to take ownership of their choices and consequences.

2. Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries
Young adults thrive with structure. Outline what living at home includes (rent, chores, job/education expectations), and what it doesn’t (financial handouts without accountability).

3. Don’t Let Love Enable Dependence
Providing support isn’t the same as enabling. If your child isn’t motivated to find a job because rent, food, and spending money are covered, it’s time to rethink the support system.

Instead of paying bills outright, consider offering matching funds, limited-time subsidies, or budgeting guidance.

4. Support Mental Health Needs
Often, anxiety, ADHD, depression, or unresolved trauma are at the core of avoidant behavior. Encourage your adult child to work with a therapist, and offer help connecting with resources—without pushing too hard.

If they resist, therapy for you can help you stay grounded and learn healthy communication strategies.

5. Model and Reinforce Life Skills
Invite—not demand—your child to join you in adulting tasks:

Managing a budget
Cooking meals
Scheduling doctor appointments
Navigating job applications

This builds confidence and demonstrates that these skills are both learnable and necessary.

6. Redefine Success Together
For some, college and a 9–5 job aren’t the right fit. Talk about alternate paths: trades, apprenticeships, freelance work, or creative careers. Help them explore strengths and passions that align with realistic opportunities.

7. Remember: This Is a Transition, Not a Destination
Transitioning to adulthood takes time. Some adult children may take a year or more to find their footing. Consistency, support, and patience—combined with healthy boundaries—can guide them toward a future they’re proud of.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child is experiencing:
Severe anxiety or depressive symptoms
Avoidance of all social or work engagement
High conflict or emotional shutdown at home
Dependency patterns that are escalating

…a structured therapeutic plan involving both the young adult and their family may be helpful.

At our practice, we work with families navigating these transitions every day. Therapy can help break through the shame, stagnation, and silence that so often keep young adults stuck.

Final Thoughts

Letting go is hard. Watching your child struggle is even harder. But you don’t have to do this alone. Encouraging independence doesn’t mean cutting off love—it means equipping your child with the confidence and tools to create a meaningful life.

And sometimes, the best way to help them launch… is to take one step back, so they can take one forward.

06/26/2025

Book Review: The Naked Roommate by Harlan Cohen
For Parents, Teens, and Mental Health Professionals Supporting the College Transition

Navigating the transition from high school to college is one of the most emotionally charged and developmentally significant periods in a young person’s life. As a clinical psychologist working with adolescents, young adults, and families, I often recommend The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College by Harlan Cohen as a go-to resource for easing the anxiety of this monumental change.

This book is not a clinical text or a self-help manual in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s an honest, humorous, and deeply practical guide written in a conversational tone that resonates with both students and the adults who support them. Now in its updated 7th edition, Cohen’s book covers a wide range of college-related challenges—everything from dealing with homesickness and making new friends to understanding campus hookup culture and navigating mental health needs.

What Makes This Book Stand Out

1. Real Talk from Real Students:

Cohen integrates quotes and stories from students across the country, giving readers a textured understanding of what the college experience is really like—not just the curated version presented in brochures or Instagram posts. This authenticity helps normalize the inevitable discomforts of the first year away from home.

2. Wide-Ranging Topics, Approachable Format:

The book doesn’t shy away from hard topics—mental health, alcohol use, identity issues, loneliness, sexual consent—but presents them in a nonjudgmental and accessible way. It’s written to be flipped through, not studied. That format alone helps reduce anxiety by making the content feel digestible and supportive rather than overwhelming.

3. A Launchpad for Conversation:

For parents and therapists, The Naked Roommate can be a powerful springboard for starting meaningful conversations. The topics addressed—like when to ask for help, how to find your people, and why it’s okay to feel completely lost at first—align closely with the psychoeducational and emotional preparation we try to provide in therapy.

4. Validation Without Sugarcoating:

Cohen does an excellent job of validating the reader’s emotional experience without trying to “fix” it. He emphasizes that discomfort is not only expected but is also an important part of growth. That message mirrors the therapeutic principle that anxiety is often a necessary part of new beginnings—not a sign that something is wrong.

Clinical Insights

From a psychological perspective, this book reinforces many evidence-based principles about emerging adulthood:

Autonomy-building is a central developmental task of this age group, and Cohen gently guides readers toward making their own decisions without prescribing a “right” path.

Peer connectedness is highlighted as a major protective factor for mental health, and the book provides concrete strategies for initiating social interactions.

Help-seeking behavior is normalized, with repeated encouragement to use campus counseling, talk to RAs, or just open up to a friend.

Cautions and Considerations

While the book is immensely helpful, it’s written with a general audience in mind. Students with more complex mental health histories—such as those with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or past trauma—might need more personalized support beyond what the book offers. As clinicians, we can recommend this book as a complement, not a substitute, for therapeutic planning around the college transition.

Final Thoughts

The Naked Roommate is a valuable, reassuring, and engaging read for anyone anticipating—or currently navigating—the leap into college life. For teens and young adults, it offers guidance without condescension. For parents and mental health professionals, it provides a shared language and context to support the emotional needs of students during this major transition.

If you’re looking to empower a young person heading off to college—or to ease your own worries as a parent or therapist—this book is a must-read.
college transition, young adult mental health, college counseling, teen anxiety, separation readiness, parenting support, Harlan Cohen, book review, preparing for college

06/25/2025

Arden Cooper, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Arden is a postdoctoral intern providing psychological evaluations for children (ages 5 years and up), adolescents, and adults, as well as therapy for adolescents and adults. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Georgia State University. She conducts psychoeducational assessments and comprehensive assessments for concerns such as ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders, autism, and personality disorders. Evaluations offer detailed insights into each individual's unique strengths and challenges to help guide meaningful recommendations. In therapy, she works collaboratively with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma. Arden strives to create an affirming and inclusive space, honoring each person as the expert on their own experience. She utilizes evidence-based approaches and creates a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment where individuals feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences and reach their goals.