Meet Our Therapists
Powers Ferry Psychological Associates is a private
practice with 19 independent psychologists in Buckhead, Marietta,
and Canton Georgia, specializing in
anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression,
ADD/ADHD, child and adolescent
psychology, and couples and family counseling.
Dr. Berel works with adults and adolescents and provides individual,
couples, and family counseling. She specializes in
women’s issues and eating disorders and has extensive training treating individuals struggling with anorexia, bulimia, compulsive eating, and body image concerns. While almost half of her clinical practice is comprised of adults and adolescents struggling with these issues, the majority of her clients are men, women, and couples facing other difficulties including
anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. Dr. Berel sees both heterosexual as well as same-sex couples. She also enjoys working with
adolescents with anxiety and mood issues.
Dr. Berel’s approach in working with clients is one that tends to de-emphasize psychological problems as illnesses. She views eating problems, for example, as generated in part, from our culture’s emphasis on appearance, and has published articles based on this perspective. Although recognizing that certain psychological problems have a biological basis, she assumes that people develop various ways of being in the world based on the context in which they live. Several schools of thought influence her approach to psychotherapy. Where appropriate, Dr. Berel focuses on family and interpersonal influences. With other clients, she emphasizes the development of life skills and solutions to problems. She often uses a combination of these approaches and/or adjusts her therapeutic approach with clients depending on their needs.
Dr. Berel received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Washington State University and completed a predoctoral clinical internship at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She completed a postdoctoral position at Northside Hospital (through the Women's Center) as well as at the Atlanta VA. She sees clients at the Buckhead
and Marietta offices.
Dr. Drose has
been in practice in Atlanta since 1989. He started PFPA with his
wife, Dr. Dina Zeckhausen. His favorite part of clinical practice is
watching people learn to live more complete lives in their family
and at work. He works with adolescents and adults helping them with
relationship problems. He has done research and published
articles in professional journals on sexual therapy and has
extensive training and experience in couples therapy. He uses
experiential methods, including hypnosisand gestalttechniques, to help clients reduce anxiety and stress.
Dr. Drose is also
interested in creative expression at work and in personal
relationships. “One of the worst things about psychological
problems,” he says, “is that they rob us of our creativity and
ability to provide love to the most important people in our lives.
Good psychotherapy, whether focused on reducing depression, anxiety,
or other symptoms, unlocks natural creativity, allowing clients to
let go of the heaviness of life and begin to truly enjoy
experiences.”
Dr. Drose is a columnist for the medical/health site: www.sharewik.com. He writes a weekly column called "Love, Sex, and Marriage".
Dr. Drose received his doctoral training
at the University of South Carolina in Clinical Psychology. He
sees clients at the Marietta and Buckhead offices.
Dr. Lorenz specializes in the treatment of
Trauma/PTSD, Addiction,
Children, Couples, and Chronic Illnesses. While treating these
disorders, Dr. Lorenz also addresses co-existing concerns including
depression, anxiety, grief, divorce, ADD/ADHD, and interpersonal
conflicts. Based on these experiences, Dr. Lorenz provides
individual, couples, and
family counseling for
adults, adolescents, and children.
Treatment Methods
Drawing upon diverse and effective treatment
methods, Dr. Lorenz utilizes
psychodynamic and systems perspectives to increase
self-understanding and then cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to strengthen personal skills. Her goal as a therapist is to
help her clients gain insight
and knowledge about themselves. With this knowledge, her clients
strengthen their coping
skills in dealing with their problems. “Therapy
is a journey through difficult emotions and thoughts. I offer
support and guidance in how to navigate through life’s challenging
times.” At the discretion of her patients, Dr. Lorenz also
supports a spiritual/religious understanding of their problems into
the therapy process.
Education and Training
Amanda R. Lorenz, Ph.D. received her doctorate
in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wisconsin
at Madison.
Her graduate research focused on the
influence of emotion on a
person’s thoughts and behavior. She has published several
articles and book chapters examining this topic in psychopathic and
borderline forensic populations.
Based on years of clinical and research experiences,
Dr. Amanda R. Lorenz has a
generalist training in the treatment of psychological disorders.
She has conducted therapy with adults, children,
and adolescents at in-patient psychiatric children /adolescent
hospitals, veteran’s hospitals, private practices, schools, jails
and prisons both in Wisconsin and Georgia.
Dr Lorenz completed her residency at the VAMC-Atlanta
and her post-doctoral training at private practices in the Atlanta area before joining Powers Ferry
Psychological Associates. Dr. Lorenz sees clients in the Buckhead
area of Atlanta.
Dr. Zeckhausen
began practicing in Atlanta and co-founded PFPA in 1990. She also founded the Eating Disorder
Information Network (EDIN) in 1996. She is currently EDIN’s
Co-Director leading that organization in providing the greater Atlanta
community with prevention and treatment services for Anorexia,
Bulimia, and Obesity. Dina began writing and presenting
treatment information on Eating Disorders when she was in graduate
school and has helped raise awareness of eating disorders throughout
the country. She has also written creatively to raise awareness of
eating disorders including a play, What’s Eating Katie?,
which has been performed by and for teens throughout Atlanta, and a
children’s book, Full Mouse, Empty Mouse,
which also has a curriculum that serves as part of a prevention
package for grade school children.
Dr. Zeckhausen
works with Adolescents and Adults, and specializes in Women’s
issues, Eating Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, and couples therapy.
“I enjoy helping clients to explore the issues from their early
family life that may be contributing to their current struggles,”
states Dr. Zeckhausen. “However, my goal is to help clients re-write
the very limited and limiting stories that they tell themselves
about themselves. I am passionate about helping people discover
their strengths and use those strengths to work through the internal
blocks which prevent them from living life to their full potential.
Through my work with EDIN, I am able to address the wider cultural
issues which contribute to eating disorders. It is tremendously
satisfying to empower people to resist pressures to be other than
their authentic selves!”
Dr. Zeckhausen
received her PhD in
Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1990.
She sees clients in Marietta and Buckhead offices.
Dr. Foltz has been in practice in Atlanta since 1993. As a clinician, she feels honored to be a "people gardener". "My favorite part of clinical practice
is watching people blossom and thrive before my eyes - finding more joy, life and creativity." She has specialized in working with people struggling with trauma,
abuse and loss, but works with a wide variety of problems, including depression, anxiety, anger, ADHD, relationship issues, divorce, blended families, adoption, pre-marital
counseling and children's behavioral issues.
Dr. Foltz works with children, adolescents and adults individually, and also with couples, families and groups. She has had particular success in working with angry
adolescents and adults who have struggled with long-term feelings of depression. She employs a combination of cognitive-behavioral, family systems and person-centered
therapy - tailoring her approach to what fits each client best. She views her role as one of providing objective eyes - a "light shiner" - and keeps in mind
that each individual is in charge of his or her own "ship". "My job is to shine the light on the water and show where there are rocks and where there
is a safe harbor. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide where to steer - but I hope that my illumination helps them to make decisions that are healthier and
safer." She views her work with clients as very collaborative - and frequently provides "homework" assignments that are custom-tailored for each individual
client. She also offers Christian-based therapy for those individuals wishing to incorporate faith into their treatment.
Dr. Foltz received her Bachelors in Psychology from Florida State University ("Go Seminoles!), Masters in Counseling from Georgia State University, and Masters
and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University. She sees clients in the Buckhead office. She is currently on most of the major insurance panels, including
Medicaid, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna.
Dr. Smith specializes in providing neuropsychological assessment services to children, adolescents, and adults. Assessment specialties include: learning difficulties, attention (ADHD), medical problems, executive function disorders, and dementia. Each assessment is thorough and complete with an understanding of the individual’s strengths and weaknesses, including comprehensive interventions for home, school, and work.
Additionally, Dr. Smith works with adults and adolescents.
Specialty areas:
issues primarily effecting teenage girls & women
chronic pain
chronic illness including HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, cancer, sickle cell disease
depression and anxiety
pregnancy & postpartum
college & graduate students
Dr. Smith is a clinical psychologist who is warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental. She seeks a collaborative relationship with her clients in an effort to empower each client to become more present in the moment and more aware of their inner strengths. Clients can explore feelings and challenges without fear of judgment or rejection. Her theoretical orientation reflects an eclectic model integrating the following modalities: cognitive behavioral (CBT), interpersonal, and humanistic. She frequently utilizes mindfulness approaches with many of her clients. Her approach to therapy and assessment reflects an appreciation and respect for the unique needs of each client.
Dr. Smith completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology at Georgia State University with specialized training in assessment. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at the Medical College of Georgia/Augusta Veterans Administration Medical Center. She completed post-doctoral training at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and in a local private practice. Dr. Smith is available at the Buckhead office and offers a sliding fee scale.
Dr. Higgins provides individual therapy for adults and adolescents. She specializes in anxiety disorders, women’s issues, depression, relationship issues, difficulties adjusting to major life transitions, cultural and/ or sexual identity development, and mother/ daughter relationships. She also works with those struggling with eating disorders and body image concerns.
Dr. Higgins uses an integrative approach, working from interpersonal and psychodynamic theories while applying a wide range of techniques including interpersonal, cognitive behavioral, family systems, and multicultural modalities. She tailors her approach to best fit with each client’s personality, presenting issue, and time frame. Dr. Higgins believes that a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship plays a key role in the success of therapy. She says, “I think it’s important to create a safe and nurturing environment where clients can feel more comfortable taking risks and doing the sometimes difficult work of therapy. I try to help clients achieve greater awareness of self, of their relationships with others, and of the particular culture and environment in which they live as these things relate to their particular concern. Awareness alone is not enough however. I work with clients to translate new awareness into new experiences.”
Dr. Higgins obtained a B.A. in Psychology at Wake Forest University, an M.A. in General/ Experimental Psychology at College of William & Mary, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Tennessee. In addition, she completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of California, Berkeley and a post-doctoral fellowship at Boston College. She is available to see clients in the Marietta and Buckhead offices. She is currently in the process of becoming a preferred provider with several insurance companies. Until then, Dr. Higgins is providing services for a sliding scale fee.
