Question 1

Do you offer virtual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer virtual therapy sessions via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. This allows you to access care from the comfort of your home, maintaining flexibility while receiving the same compassionate and effective support as in-person sessions.

Online therapy and virtual counseling at Kellen Mental Health combine convenience with the depth of our holistic mental health care. Using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, you can meet with your therapist for individual therapy, couples and marriage counseling, teen and adolescent counseling, or integrative psychiatry without commuting or rearranging your entire day.

Many clients tell us virtual sessions make it easier to start and stay consistent with treatment. The process is simple: after a brief phone consultation, our client-care coordinator matches you with a licensed clinician experienced in your concerns—whether its anxiety and stress management, depression counseling, trauma and PTSD therapy, ADHD coaching, postpartum depression support or something else. Before your first appointment you receive a secure link; click, sign in, and you’ll enter a private room with your therapist. Sessions follow the same evidence-based approaches we use in office—CBT, ACT, EMDR, Gottman Method—supported by mindfulness, breathwork, or nutrition coaching as needed.

Virtual therapy is available to anyone physically located in states where our providers hold credentials. Evening and weekend times help you fit counseling around work, school, or parenting commitments. If you prefer, you can mix online and in-person visits at our calm Alpharetta office. Either way, you receive compassionate, personalized care designed to help you reduce symptoms, strengthen relationships, and thrive.

Question 2

How do I know if I need medication or just therapy?

Accepted Answer

At KMH, we prioritize a whole-person approach to mental wellness. If you’re unsure about medication, starting with therapy can provide clarity and insight. Our team includes an integrative psychiatrist who can work with you to explore all options for your care. Medication, when appropriate, is used as part of a broader, balanced plan to support your overall well-being, not as a standalone solution.an appointment. Please choose the most convenient option for you.

Counseling and integrative psychiatry work best when they are tailored to you. During your first appointment at Kellen Mental Health, a licensed therapist completes a whole-person evaluation—mood, sleep, energy, concentration, medical history, and life stressors. We then explore what you have already tried, what has helped, and what feels overwhelming. Our anxiety and stress management, depression counseling, and trauma and PTSD therapy programs can stand alone or mesh with medication.

You may lean toward therapy alone when:

Symptoms are mild to moderate and you can still handle work, school, or parenting.
You are motivated to practice coping tools such as CBT, mindfulness, or executive functioning coaching.
Triggers are situational—relationship conflict, a recent loss, or a life transition—and you want new skills to respond.

Adding medication becomes useful when:

Depression, anxiety, ADHD, or trauma reactions interfere with basic self-care, safety, or sleep.
You have tried skilled counseling for several weeks and progress has stalled.
There is a biological factor—postpartum hormone shifts, chronic pain, or a family history of mood disorders.

If medication is indicated, our psychiatric practitioner partners with your therapist to fine-tune dosage, monitor side effects, and weave lifestyle changes—nutrition, exercise, breathwork—into the plan. This team approach lets many clients taper or discontinue medication once therapy gains hold, while keeping care safe, confidential, and empowering.

Question 3

How do you support mental wellness beyond therapy?

Accepted Answer

Our whole-person approach means supporting mental wellness in all areas of your life. In addition to therapy, we offer integrative psychiatry, wellness resources, and personalized plans that may include lifestyle recommendations, mindfulness practices, and nutritional guidance. We believe in creating a balanced approach that promotes well-being beyond the therapy room.

Our counseling and coaching services are integrative by design. We start with your goals, then tailor therapy and coaching to fit your life—translating insight into practical, step-by-step actions you can use at home, school, or work. Whether you’re seeking depression counseling, trauma and PTSD therapy, postpartum support, life coaching, or executive and career coaching, your plan is cohesive and purpose-driven.

Your clinician collaborates with the right practitioners—such as nutrition coaches, ADHD and executive functioning specialists, and LGBTQ+-affirming counselors—to ensure your care works together, not in silos. For clients who thrive in community, our mental wellness workshops and corporate programs build skills in communication, burnout prevention, and emotional regulation for teams and families.

Sessions are available in person or through secure online therapy and virtual coaching, making support easy to fit between classes, feedings, or board meetings. We also equip you with everyday self-care tools—like mindfulness routines, sleep and stress strategies, and communication skills—to complement therapy and coaching.

By aligning services around your priorities and coordinating with the right experts, we help you move from coping to thriving.

Question 4

How does nutrition impact mental health?

Accepted Answer

Balanced nutrition fuels holistic mental health care by stabilizing blood sugar, reducing inflammation, nurturing a healthy gut, and supplying the vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fats your brain uses to make mood-boosting neurotransmitters.

At KMH, nutrition health coaching pairs evidence-based dietary strategies with counseling to help you feel calmer, clearer, and more energized.

Counseling only goes so far if your brain lacks the raw materials it needs to regulate mood. A nutrient-dense diet is a cornerstone of holistic mental health care because mind and body are inseparable.

1. Blood-sugar balance: Pairing lean protein, healthy fats, and high-fiber carbs at each meal keeps glucose steady, preventing the spikes and crashes that mimic anxiety and irritability.

2. Gut-brain connection: About 90 % of serotonin is made in the gut. Fermented foods, diverse plant fibers, and adequate hydration feed beneficial bacteria that, in turn, produce neurotransmitters and lower systemic inflammation linked to depression.

3. Anti-inflammatory fats: Omega-3 fatty acids (in salmon, walnuts, flax) calm overactive stress pathways and support attention, making them vital for ADHD and executive functioning coaching goals.

4. Micronutrient sufficiency: B-vitamins, magnesium, iron, and vitamin D help create dopamine and GABA. Even mild deficiencies can worsen low mood, poor focus, or postpartum depression.

At KMH, nutrition health coaching weaves these principles into your individualized plan alongside individual therapy, couples and marriage counseling, and anxiety and stress management tools. Your coach collaborates with your therapist to identify food-mood patterns, design realistic menus, and provide mindful-eating practices you can apply at home, at work, or through our corporate wellness programs. The result is a practical roadmap that nourishes your body, steadies your emotions, and empowers you to thrive.

Question 5

What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based counseling approach that helps you notice unhelpful thoughts and habits, then practice new ways to respond. We often use CBT for anxiety and stress, depression, OCD, PTSD, and life transitions. It is a strong fit if you want clear goals and practical skills.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based counseling approach that helps you understand the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In sessions, we work together to spot unhelpful patterns like worst-case thinking, all-or-nothing rules, or negative self-talk. Then you learn new ways to respond, so your mood and choices can change over time.

CBT is often a strong fit if you want practical tools for anxiety and stress management, depression counseling, postpartum anxiety or depression, panic, OCD, trauma and PTSD therapy support, grief, or major life transitions. It can also support ADHD and executive functioning coaching by building planning, follow-through, and problem-solving skills. Many people like CBT because it is structured and goal-focused. It is often short-term (commonly around 8 to 12 weeks), but the pace can be tailored to you.

At Kellen Mental Health, we use CBT across Therapy & Counseling, including Counseling for Adults, Counseling for Teens, Couples & Marriage Counseling, and Infertility, Pregnancy, & Postpartum Counseling. You can meet in person or choose Virtual Counseling (online therapy and virtual counseling). You can expect a safe, confidential space, clear goals, and between-session practice so the skills become real life habits.

If CBT is not the best match, we can integrate other evidence-based options, such as ACT, DBT, EMDR Therapy, or Brainspotting, as part of holistic mental health care.

Question 6

What is EMDR therapy, and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based trauma therapy that uses bilateral stimulation like guided eye movements or tapping while you focus on a memory. It helps your brain reprocess what feels stuck. It is often for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or panic when talk therapy alone has not been enough.

EMDR therapy is a structured, research-supported form of counseling that helps you process distressing memories and the beliefs and body sensations tied to them. During EMDR, your therapist uses a variety of stimulation techniques and activities while you briefly notice a memory, emotion, or trigger. Over time, many people feel less intense distress and more calm, control, and clarity.

EMDR is often a good fit if you are dealing with trauma and PTSD, anxiety and stress, panic, or a painful life event that still feels present in your body. It can be a standalone approach or part of individual therapy alongside CBT, ACT, DBT, or mindfulness. Many clients also appreciate that EMDR does not require you to share every detail of what happened for the work to be effective.

Before you start, we focus on safety and stabilization. We will build grounding and affect-management skills and choose a pace that feels supportive. EMDR may not be appropriate right now if you are experiencing severe dissociation, active psychosis, or current substance dependence.

When clinically appropriate, EMDR can be offered in person or through online therapy and virtual counseling using a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. You can learn more on our EMDR Therapy, Trauma & PTSD, and Virtual Counseling & Therapy pages.

Question 7

What is grief counseling, and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

Grief counseling is a form of individual therapy that helps you process loss and keep moving forward without forgetting what mattered. It is for anyone grieving a death or major change like divorce, job loss, or a pet’s death especially when sadness, anxiety, or numbness disrupts daily life.

Grief counseling is counseling that helps you work through the emotions and life changes that come with loss. At Kellen Mental Health, we offer holistic mental health care that supports you in moving through grief while protecting your well-being. This can help after a death and after other major losses such as divorce, a breakup, job loss, infertility or pregnancy loss, a big move, or the death of a pet.

Grief counseling is for you if you feel stuck, numb, irritable, anxious, or depressed; if you feel isolated; or if grief is affecting sleep, work, parenting, or relationships. It can also help if you notice unhealthy coping like overwork, withdrawal, or increased use of alcohol or other substances.

In individual therapy, you and your therapist create a safe, confidential space to share the story of your loss, make room for intense feelings, and learn steady coping skills. Your plan may include evidence-based tools like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, mindfulness, and solution-focused work. If your loss was sudden or traumatic, EMDR Therapy or Brainspotting may be part of care. Sessions can be in person or through secure online therapy and virtual counseling so support fits your schedule.

Question 8

What is parent coaching, and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

Parent coaching is a goal-focused service that helps parents learn practical strategies for raising children and navigating difficult parenting situations. It’s for parents who want clearer routines, better communication, and more confidence—whether you’re parenting toddlers, school-age kids, or teens. It’s also a great option for parents of children and teens with ADHD who want to learn how to best support their child. At KMH, parent coaching sessions are typically 60 minutes and can be done in person or via video. See Parent Coaching Services.

Parent coaching at KMH is designed to help parents build real-world tools they can use immediately—especially when family life feels overwhelming or stuck. Coaching focuses on practical techniques and supportive guidance so you can become more effective and confident in your parenting role. Parent coaching is also especially helpful for parents of children and teens with ADHD who want practical ways to best support their child.

Parent coaching is a strong fit if you want help with things like:

consistent routines (mornings, homework, bedtime)
communication and boundaries
managing stress and staying calm under pressure
navigating ongoing parenting challenges without feeling alone

Coaching sessions at KMH are typically 60 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video, making it easier to fit into busy schedules. To learn what the service includes (and current rates), start here: Parent Coaching Services. If you’re also considering broader growth goals beyond parenting, you can explore Personal Development Coaching.

Question 9

What is the difference between individual, couples, and family therapy?

Accepted Answer

Individual therapy focuses on your personal thoughts, feelings, and goals with one clinician. Couples counseling brings two partners together to strengthen communication and intimacy. Family therapy gathers multiple family members to improve patterns, roles, and shared problem-solving. Each format tailors evidence-based strategies to the relationships in the room.

Individual therapy gives you a private space to explore your inner world. You and your therapist examine thoughts, emotions, and habits, then practice tools such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or mindfulness to relieve anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or ADHD symptoms. These one-on-one sessions move at your pace and focus on the goals that matter most to you.

Couples and marriage counseling brings two partners into the room (or video call) together. Using evidence-based models like the Gottman Method and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, your clinician helps you rebuild trust, improve communication, and reignite friendship and intimacy. The relationship itself becomes the “client,” so both voices are heard and guided toward healthier patterns. This can also be offered as premarital counseling.

Family therapy involves several family members—parents, children, siblings, or caregivers. Drawing from Family Systems work, your therapist looks at roles, boundaries, and generational patterns that may fuel conflict, stress, or a teen’s behavior. You learn new ways to problem-solve, set limits, and support one another so the whole family can thrive.

Which format is right for you? If the primary concern lives within you, start with individual therapy. If the problem sits between two partners, choose couples counseling. When challenges ripple through more people, family therapy offers a team approach. KMH clinicians can help you decide and even combine formats as your needs evolve.

Question 10

What states can you provide virtual therapy to?

Accepted Answer

KMH provides virtual counseling to clients who are permanent residents of Georgia, New York, Virginia, and Florida, with additional states sometimes available depending on the provider (restrictions apply). Eligibility for virtual care depends on where you live and which clinician you’re matched with, so the quickest way to confirm is to contact the care coordinator. Start here: Virtual Counseling & Therapy.

Virtual counseling at KMH is available through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Currently, KMH lists virtual counseling availability for residents of Georgia, New York, Virginia, and Florida, and additional states may be available depending on the provider (restrictions apply). Because licensure rules vary by state and by clinician, availability is determined by:

your state of residence (where you are located during sessions), and
the license(s) held by the specific clinician you’re matched with.

For the most accurate answer, use Virtual Counseling & Therapy and then confirm eligibility through contacting us.

Question 11

What types of issues can you help me with?

Accepted Answer

Our team can help with a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress management, ADHD, trauma, and more. Whatever you’re facing, we’re here to support you with compassionate, personalized care.

Whether you’re fighting daily anxiety or rebuilding a marriage, our counseling and holistic mental health care meet you where you are. We treat mood concerns such as depression, chronic stress, panic, and burnout; trauma and PTSD with EMDR or Brainspotting; ADHD and executive-functioning struggles that affect school or work; and postpartum depression, anxiety, or other perinatal issues. Couples and marriage counseling addresses communication breakdowns, trust injuries, and intimacy gaps, while family therapy supports parenting challenges, teen conflict, and life-stage transitions.

We also provide Christian counseling and spirituality support, grief work, and guidance through major changes like relocation, career pivots, or retirement. If medication is part of your plan, our integrative psychiatry team combines prescriptions with nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness strategies for whole-person healing.

Prefer virtual care? Online therapy and virtual counseling sessions bring evidence-based techniques—CBT, ACT, DBT, EFT, Gottman Method—straight to your device anywhere in Georgia. For goal-driven growth, life coaching, parent coaching, and career or executive coaching turn insight into action. Organizations can tap our corporate wellness programs to reduce stress, boost resilience, and create healthier workplaces.

Whatever challenge you face, we partner with you to restore balance, strengthen relationships, and help you thrive.

Question 12

What types of therapy do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer counseling and coaching for individuals, couples, and families, with specialized options like premarital counseling, EMDR, Christian counseling (by request), and virtual sessions. Our clinicians draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT, DBT, EFT, EMDR, Brainspotting, Gottman Method work, mindfulness, and more to treat anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship issues, postpartum concerns, LGBTQ+ affirmation, and other life challenges.

At Kellen Mental Health, therapy is never one-size-fits-all. We match you with a licensed expert who tailors the process to your goals, offering:

Formats that fit your life: private individual therapy, couples and marriage counseling, family therapy, and secure online therapy and virtual counseling through live video.
Proven approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and stress management, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for mood and purpose, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method for relationship repair, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting for trauma and PTSD therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, plus mindfulness-based, narrative, and strengths-focused techniques.
Specialized tracks: teen and adolescent counseling, ADHD and executive functioning coaching, postpartum depression and maternal mental health, LGBTQ+ affirming counseling, and Christian counseling and spirituality.
Whole-person integration: when helpful, your therapist may coordinate with our integrative psychiatry team, life coaching and personal development services, or wellness activities such as breathwork and sound therapy.

We also provide coaching and wellness activities that complement therapy and promote personal growth. Each plan is personalized to support overall wellness.

Question 13

What’s the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?

Accepted Answer

A therapist is a licensed counselor who guides talk-based healing; a psychologist holds a doctorate and can provide advanced testing and evidence-based therapy; a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and prescribes medication.

Each professional plays a distinct role in supporting mental health care.

Counseling, online therapy and virtual counseling begin with a therapist—often a licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist—who specializes in talk-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Your therapist focuses on everyday challenges like anxiety and stress management, relationship conflict, or teen and adolescent counseling, guiding you toward practical skills and new perspectives.

A psychologist moves a step deeper. After earning a Ph.D. or Psy.D., psychologists are trained to conduct psychological testing and research, making them well-suited for complex diagnoses such as ADHD, trauma and PTSD, or mood disorders. Like therapists, they deliver individual therapy, couples and marriage counseling, and family therapy, but they draw on advanced assessment tools to tailor evidence-based plans.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who completed a residency in mental health. Psychiatrists can order lab work, rule out medical causes, and prescribe medications when needed. They combine medication management with nutrition, mindfulness, and holistic mental health care, so medication becomes one supportive option—not the whole solution.

Because your needs are unique, we often collaborate—your therapist provides weekly sessions, the psychologist refines diagnosis, and the psychiatrist oversees medication. This coordinated, whole-person approach helps you move from coping to thriving.

Question 14

What’s the difference between EMDR and Brainspotting—and how do you choose?

Accepted Answer

EMDR and Brainspotting are both trauma-focused therapies that help the brain and body process stuck experiences. EMDR follows a structured, phase-based protocol and uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, taps, or tones) while you focus on a memory or emotion. Brainspotting uses specific eye positions (“brainspots”) to access and process emotions connected to trauma and stress. The best choice depends on your symptoms, preferences, and what feels most grounding with your therapist. See EMDR Therapy and Brainspotting Therapy.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-supported psychotherapy approach that uses bilateral stimulation (rapid eye movements, taps, or tones) while you focus on a distressing memory or emotion. KMH describes EMDR as a structured process with identifiable phases and clear steps. It can be a great fit for clients who prefer a more guided, protocol-driven approach. Learn more: EMDR Therapy in Atlanta.

Brainspotting (BSP) is a trauma-focused therapy based on the idea that certain eye positions can help access and process buried emotions. KMH describes it as a brain-and-body approach that targets “brain spots” linked to trauma and stress, and it’s often used to help process trauma, anxiety, depression, and even physical pain. Learn more: Brainspotting Therapy in Alpharetta.

How to choose:

The best starting point is a consult where your clinician recommends the approach based on your history and goals. If your main concern is trauma, you can also explore Trauma Counseling.

Choose EMDR if you want a more structured roadmap and clear phases.

Consider Brainspotting if you prefer a brain/body approach that emphasizes processing through focused attention and internal experience.

Question 15

What’s the difference between therapy and coaching at KMH—and how do I choose?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is clinical care with licensed mental health professionals focused on healing, symptom relief, and deeper emotional patterns. Coaching is a structured, non-clinical partnership focused on clarity, goals, and action. Choose therapy if you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship distress; choose coaching if you feel generally stable but want momentum, accountability, or performance growth. See What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?

At KMH, both therapy and coaching help people grow—but they serve different needs.

Therapy (counseling) is provided by licensed clinicians and is designed to support mental health and emotional well-being. Therapy is a good fit when you want help with things like anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, relationship patterns, or major life transitions. It can be done in person or through Online Counseling, and may use approaches such as CBT, ACT, EMDR, EFT, and the Gottman Method depending on your goals and clinician fit.

Coaching focuses on forward movement: values, goals, habits, and practical strategy. Coaching is not a replacement for clinical treatment, and it doesn’t center on diagnosing or treating mental health disorders. It’s often a strong fit for clients who feel mostly stable but want help with direction, accountability, leadership development, executive functioning, career growth, or life structure. Learn more at Personal Development Coaching in Alpharetta.

A simple way to choose:

If you’re hurting, overwhelmed, or stuck in symptoms → start with therapy.
If you’re stable but striving and want a plan + accountability → coaching may be best.
If you want both, many clients combine them with clear roles and goals.

If you’re unsure, start on the Alpharetta pa g e and request matchmaking so the care coordinator can point you to the best fit.

Treatment Options and Approach