Septima Riley

Greetings!

I am a Decatur native and "Double Dawg," having earned both my BA (Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus in Neuroscience) and my MSW from the University of Georgia.

My clinical focus is individuals who have experienced trauma and are living with conditions such as Complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, Autism, and/or CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) history. I've worked with both youth and adults in this area.

As a professor, I also specialize in working with individuals who are studying to become clinicians, as well as clinicians who are seeking therapy for themselves.

Most of all, I believe that you are the expert of your own life, and my role is to help you sort through whatever is standing in your way. Let's get to work.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, trauma-informed, and grounded in the belief that healing can only happen within a safe space.

I draw primarily from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), alongside other approaches, depending on your individual needs. Sometimes that means identifying coping skills, processing difficult experiences, or making sense of patterns that no longer serve you.

I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. My style tends to be warm and direct; I'll ask intentional questions and offer honest reflections, but I'll always follow your lead on what you're ready to explore.

Ultimately, my role is to walk alongside you as you build the insight and resilience to navigate life.

During our first session, my goal is to understand your story and identify what you'd like to get out of therapy. This helps me learn not just what brought you in, but also how you prefer to work, so that we can build a treatment approach that works for you.