How to Find the Right Therapist in Marietta, Georgia

If you live in Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, or East Cobb and you've been thinking about therapy—but haven't taken the step yet—you're not alone. Many people in Cobb County spend months researching therapists online before reaching out. The number of options can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with anxiety, depression, or relationship strain.

This guide is designed to help you understand what therapy looks like at our Marietta office on Kennesaw Avenue, what our clinicians actually specialize in, and how to decide if we're the right fit.

When Anxiety or Depression Starts Affecting Your Daily Life

Anxiety and depression are the two most common reasons people in Marietta seek therapy at our practice. But they rarely show up as textbook symptoms. More often, they look like:

• Difficulty sleeping or waking up exhausted despite a full night's rest
• Irritability or emotional numbness that you can't explain
• Withdrawing from people you care about without meaning to
• A persistent feeling of being "stuck" or going through the motions
• Physical symptoms—headaches, tension, stomach problems—with no clear medical cause
• Difficulty concentrating at work or losing interest in things you used to enjoy

If any of this sounds familiar, you're not weak and you're not broken. These are signs that your nervous system needs support—and that's exactly what therapy provides. Our Marietta team uses evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT, and DBT to help you interrupt anxiety and depression at the root, not just manage symptoms.

Why Couples in Marietta Seek Counseling

Relationship stress is the other major reason people call our office. Couples counseling isn't just for relationships in crisis—it's for any partnership where communication has broken down, resentment has built up, or you've lost the connection you once had.

Common reasons Marietta couples come to us:

• The same arguments keep happening with no resolution
• One partner feels emotionally distant or shut down
• Trust has been broken and you're unsure how to rebuild it
• Parenting disagreements are creating ongoing tension
• You're questioning whether to stay together
• Life transitions—new baby, job loss, relocation—have strained the relationship

Dr. Alex Crenshaw leads our couples therapy work using Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT), an evidence-based approach that helps partners understand and interrupt repetitive conflict cycles. The goal isn't to assign blame—it's to rebuild empathy, improve communication, and help both people feel heard.

What to Look for in a Marietta Therapist

Not every therapist is the right fit, and that's okay. Here's what matters most when choosing someone in Marietta:

Licensure and specialization

Look for licensed professionals—LPCs, LCSWs, or licensed psychologists—who specialize in your specific concern. A therapist who treats "everything" may not have the depth of training you need. Our Marietta team includes clinicians with focused expertise in anxiety and depression, couples and family dynamics, trauma recovery, and life stage transitions.

Evidence-based methods

Ask about their approach. Treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) have strong research support. Our clinicians use these approaches daily—not as buzzwords, but as the foundation of their clinical work.

Therapeutic fit

Research consistently shows that the single best predictor of therapy outcomes is the relationship between you and your therapist. You should feel safe, heard, and respected—not judged. If the fit isn't right, a good therapist will help you find someone who is.

Meet the Marietta Team

Our Marietta office is home to six clinicians, each with distinct strengths:

• Michaela Hilburn, LPC — specializes in anxiety, identity exploration, and trauma recovery for young adults and adults
• Dr. Alex Crenshaw, PhD — licensed psychologist focused on couples therapy, anxiety disorders, and PTSD using IBCT, CBT, and prolonged exposure
• Lisa Giebelhaus, LPC — depth-oriented therapist working with depression, grief, and meaning-making through Jungian and existential approaches
• Amanda Gaines, MSW — works with individuals navigating life transitions, self-worth struggles, and emotional overwhelm
• Samantha Bryant — supports clients through relationship challenges and personal growth
• Laura Hilsen, LAPC — works with anxiety, depression, and adjusting to new life chapters under clinical supervision

All Marietta clinicians are private pay and offer sliding scale options. We do not accept insurance at this location, which allows us to focus entirely on your care without managed-care limitations.

What Your First Session Looks Like

Your first therapy session is about building a foundation. You won't be asked to share everything at once. Here's what typically happens:

• You share what brought you in — in your own words, at your own pace
• Your therapist asks about your history — not to interrogate, but to understand context
• Together, you set initial goals — what do you want to feel differently?
• You get a sense of fit — does this therapist feel like someone you can be honest with?

Most clients tell us they feel relief just from having the first conversation. You've been carrying this alone—there's something powerful about being heard without judgment.

Our Marietta Office on Kennesaw Avenue

We're located at 800 Kennesaw Ave. NW, Suite 310, in the heart of Marietta—just minutes from I-75 and the 120 Loop. The office is in a quiet professional building with free parking and a private, comfortable waiting area.

We serve clients throughout Marietta, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Vinings, Acworth, and surrounding Cobb County communities. If you prefer flexibility, all of our Marietta therapists also offer secure teletherapy sessions so you can combine in-person and virtual visits.