ADHD therapists and psychiatrists in Athens, GA

Welcome to the first step of the rest of your life. Deciding to begin your therapeutic journey can feel overwhelming and sometimes impossible. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’m passionate about helping people feel heard, understood, and empowered. I strive to create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences and build the tools they need to move forward. My approach is collaborative and grounded in respect for each person’s unique story and strengths.

Refined Beginnings Counseling takes the focus off of issues and highlights solutions. Refined Beginnings Counseling LLC supports an environment that is least restrictive, provides for confidentiality, and convenience by offering tele-mental health services in Florida and both tele-mental health and office visits to clients in Georgia.

I am a fully licensed clinician fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. I hold a Master’s in Social Work from KSU (2012) and a Master’s in Psychology from PUC-GO, Brazil.

My approach to therapy is shaped not only by my academic background in Psychology and Social Work, but also by my own personal journey. The challenges I’ve faced have taught me the importance of sitting with pain without judgment, listening deeply, and holding space with compassion and steadiness. I believe in the potential for healing and transformation that arises when individuals cultivate self-acceptance and integrate all aspects of their identity.

In my practice, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can reclaim their sense of safety, agency, and hope. It is a profound privilege to support people in their journey toward growth and self-discovery.

If you’re seeking a therapist who will honor your unique story and offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for healing, I would be honored to work with you.

You may be doing everything you can to keep up with life's demands while quietly feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. Whether you are navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, emotional ups and downs, or a major life transition, it can be exhausting trying to manage it all on your own. Therapy offers a space to slow down, better understand what you are experiencing, and create meaningful changes that support the life you want to live.

As a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the most complex parts, so congratulations on taking that step!

Hi, I'm Ruth. I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a background in nursing and behavioral health, and I am deeply committed to providing compassionate, personalized care. My experience includes inpatient behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, hospice care, and community-based settings, which has given me the opportunity to support people through many different stages of life and healing. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults facing concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, insomnia, stress, and other mental health challenges.

Bienvenido/Greetings, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (SW26009) in the state of Florida. I have worked in a variety of settings, including: psychiatric hospitals/centers, schools, crisis response services, and community-based agencies. My clients represent a wide range of ages, genders, sexual orientations, faiths, education levels, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. In my practice, I focus on supporting individuals through life transitions, processing past trauma, and building awareness of their current strengths and resilience.