Residents
While meeting the need for quality, affordable, and often long-term counseling and psychotherapy for adults, MCS also provides one of the few settings in the Atlanta area that addresses the needs of therapists working toward licensure. A three-year period of post-graduate, supervised, clinical experience is required to satisfy licensure requirements in Georgia. Selected MCS staff members serve as faculty who provide such clinical supervision. The supervised, hands-on experience that residents gain at MCS not only satisfies their licensure requirement, it enables the services that MCS provides.
Tanya DiGiovanni-Goldbach, MA
Tanya DiGiovanni-Goldbach, MA has a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. Her clinical experience includes working with clients dealing with sexual identity and HIV issues. Tanya views the therapeutic process as a journey toward releasing the power of past experiences to bring hope into the present. Within the therapeutic relationship, clients are provided with a safe space to discover the great possibilities their lives hold. Tanya’s clinical interests include sexual identity, depression, anxiety and personal growth.
Contact Tanya directly:
404.321.1794 ext 316
tdigiovanni@mcsatlanta.org
Jacqueline J. Fraasa, MA, LAPC
Jacqueline J. Fraasa, MA, LAPC received a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. She began working in the mental health field at Ridgeview Institute where she worked with individuals suffering from acute depression, anxiety, addictions, and psychiatric disorders. She views therapy as a non-judgmental place for identifying beliefs, feelings, and behaviors that can prevent individuals and couples from reaching their full potential. Jackie believes the mind and body are intricately linked and need to be engaged as a team in the growth/healing process. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, trauma and navigating life’s transitions that create change but have the potential to open doors to new opportunities and personal growth.
Contact Jackie directly:
404.321.1794 ext 322
jfraasa@mcsatlanta.org
Deborah Herberger, MS
Deborah Herberger, MS has a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University. Her previous background includes experience as a health consultant for individuals and groups, which influence her current approach to counseling/psychotherapy. Deborah’s work tends to focus on a “systems” approach with a particular emphasis on increasing awareness of habitual patterns in the life of an individual or family which may be contributing to discomfort, disease, or dysfunction. She sees herself as being a catalyst for growth and empowerment for her clients.
Contact Deb directly:
404.321.1794 ext 324
dherberger@mcsatlanta.org
Laura Laliberte-Bodner, MA, LAPC
Laura Laliberte-Bodner, MA, LAPC was born and raised in the southern part of Atlanta. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology, and Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling. She has experience with multicultural counseling, working with trauma survivors, and psychiatric disorders. Laura has also worked with individuals in need of self-exploration and acceptance. She combines her psychology and sociology background to gain a full picture of her clients. Her clinical interests are in the areas of anxiety, depression, societal pressures, trauma, sexual identity, grief, and life adjustments. She also enjoys working with couples and families to help improve or enhance their communication.
Contact Laura directly:
404.321.1794 ext 323
llaliberte@mcsatlanta.org
Tim McDaniel, LMSW
Tim McDaniel, LMSW received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia. His clinical experience includes providing individual and group therapy around the areas of spirituality, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, GLBTQ issues, and societal and cultural stressors. Educated as a social worker, Tim believes there is a undeniable correlation between a person and their environment, and utilizes foundational theories of human behavior and social systems to assist clients through their change process to healthier living, relationships, and surroundings.
Contact Tim directly:
404.321.1794 ext 317
tmcdaniel@mcsatlanta.org
Lisa Sackellares, LMSW
Lisa Sackellares, LMSW received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Florida. Her career began in the mental health field by working with children suffering from grief and loss due to divorce or death of a parent. Her work continued with the geriatric population where she managed and coordinated health and wellness services for seniors and conducted diverse educational seminars. Her clinical experience also includes working with individuals dealing with wide-ranging psychiatric disorders including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and addiction. She believes that by providing a safe, supportive environment, individuals can begin to explore their true thoughts and feelings which set the stage for positive self growth and change. Through this process, individuals are ultimately empowered to move forward in their lives and, over time, can discover a sense of inner-peace and well-being.
Contact Lisa directly:
404.321.1794 ext 326
lsackellares@mcsatlanta.org
Stefanie Speanburg, LMSW
Stefanie Speanburg, LMSW has a BS in Psychology from Union College and a MSW from Smith College School for Social Work. Before joining Metropolitan Counseling Services, Stefanie worked in both clinical social work and psychiatric research settings. Currently pursuing a doctorate in Women’s Studies, Stefanie brings her scholarship and research in psychoanalytic, feminist, and queer theories to bear on her clinical practice. Stefanie uses a contemporary psychodynamic approach to therapy- attending to attachment, human development, personality, and gender- when working with women and men who find themselves easily overwhelmed by intense emotions and who are often anxious and confused in relationships. Stefanie’s primary clinical interests include: anxiety and relationship issues, identity and self esteem concerns, and trauma and its sequelae. Stefanie’s professional memberships include: American Psychoanalytic Association, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work.
Contact Stefanie directly:
404.321.1794 ext 327
sspeanburg@mcsatlanta.org
Kim Morrow Taff, MS, LAPC
Kim Morrow Taff, MS, LAPC holds a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University. She is currently working toward her Ed.S. degree. She has clinical experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy. She began her work as a therapist at a community mental health center, where she worked with individuals, couples, and families in many areas of concern, including depression, anxiety, addiction, grief, anger management, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual abuse, trauma history, and relationship issues. She facilitates her clients’ growth and change by using a strengths-based approach, empowering them to find a path toward wholeness. She is a certified Grief Recovery specialist and enjoys offering her clients art therapy.
