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 hypnosis and gestalt techniques, 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 received his doctoral training
at the University of South Carolina in Clinical Psychology. He
sees clients at the Marietta and Buckhead offices.
Dr. Eassa has been
a practicing psychologist for over twenty years. She worked in private practice in Texas until
moving to Atlanta in 1998 to be closer to her extended family.
Dr. Eassa works
with older children, adolescents, and adults helping them resolve
symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. She helps clients improve
their relationship through individual, couples and family therapy.
She has a particular interest in working with women’sDr. Eassa has been
a practicing psychologist for over twenty years. She worked in private practice in Texas until
moving to Atlanta in 1998 to be closer to her extended family.
Dr. Eassa works
with older children, adolescents, and adults helping them resolve
symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. She helps clients improve
their relationship through individual, couples and family therapy.
She has a particular interest in working with women’s issues
especially as they relate to the transitions in a woman’s life. She
also works with individuals and couples experiencing issues related
to infertility.
Dr. Eassa describes
her approach to therapy as being “influenced by many theoretical
orientations therapy,” while centered on developing “a safe,
supportive environment to allow my clients to begin to better
understand their patterns of thinking and feeling.” She strives to
help her clients “find new ways of perceiving and relating in
important situations and ultimately become more psychologically and
physically healthy.”
Dr. Eassa
completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1983. She sees
clients at the
Marietta and Canton offices.
Dr. Fleet moved to Georgia and has
been practicing here since 1986. He conducts Individual Psychotherapy
for Anxiety Disorders, including Panic Disorder, Phobias,
PTSD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Dr. Fleet has worked for
several years with “Power Over Panic,” assisting group members
achieve freedom from debilitating Anxiety. He helps his clients
learn to manage stress more effectively. He uses
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy to help clients struggling with Anxiety
and Depression find relief from self-defeating thoughts and
behaviors.
“My primary goal
with clients” Dr. Fleet says, “is to provide a safe, collaborative
relationship within which they can learn to develop and achieve
obtainable therapy goals. I help clients learn the skills to help
athem cope more effectively with the difficulties of life and to
build a sense of Self that is strong, resilient and ultimately more
effective in the world.”
Dr. Fleet has been
an athlete throughout his life and has developed a specialty in
Sports and Performance Psychology. He has been a “My primary goal
with clients” Dr. Fleet says, “is to provide a safe, collaborative
relationship within which they can learn to develop and achieve
obtainable therapy goals. I help clients learn the skills to help
athem cope more effectively with the difficulties of life and to
build a sense of Self that is strong, resilient and ultimately more
effective in the world.”
Dr. Fleet has been
an athlete throughout his life and has developed a specialty in
Sports and Performance Psychology. He has been a tennis pro and
works with athletes in many sports to use psychological principles
to improve their performance.
Dr. Fleet
received his Doctoral training in Clinical Psychology from Florida
State University. He sees clients at the Marietta and Canton offices.
Michael has worked for the last 10 years in treatment communities with
children, adolescents, and families. He has gained valuable experience in working with various cultures; especially minority children and families in the public school system, outpatient services, and residential care. The kids commonly refer to him as “Mr. Mike” and he has an uncanny ability to establish therapeutic relationships with kids who are initially resistant to therapy.
Michael conducts therapy with
children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He has extensive experience with helping children & adolescents with
oppositional behaviors, self-esteem, anger management, ADD/ADHD, working with survivors of abuse, athletes, and communication within their families.
His creative approach to family therapy helps families see past the
immediate behaviors of the client and work together toward reaching
family goals. Michael also enjoys infusing his passion for athletics
with his passion for therapy to help athletes enhance their overall
performance. This is evident through his therapeutic running
program, RUN4LIFE (www.irun4life.org), and non-profit organization, ICServices (www.icommservices.org).
Michael has conducted several state wide seminars for many social service agencies and youth. He has also been recognized as the "2004 GAHSC Children Social Service Worker of the Year."
Michael earnestly believes that each individual has the power to identify the life that they want and take definitive steps in achieving their goals, and living their truth. He describes himself as compassionately-driven, "solution-focused," and is most influenced by core-energetics, cognitive behavioral, person-centered, and family systems theorists. He approaches each individual by considering them holistically and meeting them at the point of their need, and helping to empower them with a more enhanced life.
Michael's interventions help individuals to enhance their lives based on his 4cus Principles. Decide, Imagine, Think, and Act, and meditation practices. Albert Einstein said it best, "I’m enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited."
Michael obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University. When he realized that many of the students that he encountered endured struggles with issues that went beyond the classroom he obtained his Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from the University of Miami. He sees clients in the Marietta office.
Dr. Friedman works with children, ages 3 and older,
adolescents, and adults. She has a special interest in helping
children, adolescents, and adults adjust to divorce and other
experiences of loss. She helps clients process and negotiate to the
normal difficulties that occur with loss, as well as other
developmental changes that are difficult to adjust to, such as
beginning school, becoming a teenager, starting to date, beginning
young adulthood, etc. She strongly believes that, regardless of age,
each person must develop an understanding of their own identity in
order to manage the challenges of everyday life. To accomplish this
she conducts Individual, Family, and Couples Therapy.
Dr. Friedman has
extensive training in family systems therapy and child development
and believes that the family in which the client lives or grew up
greatly influences his or her psychological makeup. She borrows from
a variety of theoretical models of psychotherapy including
Psychodynamic and Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy to help clients
achieve their goals. “With all my clients,” she says, “I begin
therapy with an assessment of the client’s family system since our
family is the “blueprint” for our relationships. I provide a safe
and open environment to help clients understand themselves better
and change in ways that enhance their lives.”
Dr. Friedman
got her Doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at DePaul
University in Chicago, Illinois. She sees
clients at the
Marietta office.
Jennifer Gale, Psy.D.
770-953-4744 ext. 29
Dr. Gale specializes in providing psychological and neuropsychological assessment for
infants, children, adolescents, and adults with a wide variety of presenting problems, including
Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, communication problems,
depression, anxiety, dementia, and behavioral
disorders. She also specializes in working with families who are seeking a deeming waiver (DM-6A or Katie Beckett) and provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for these children with disabilities. Dr. Gale’s comprehensive evaluations are extremely helpful in that each report includes specific, client-tailored recommendations for improvement in their area of difficulty.
Dr. Gale sees children and adolescents for individual and family therapy as well as social skills training. Her perspective includes Positive Youth Development approach, which views
individuals as “assets to be developed, not problems to be managed.” She believes that by increasing the protective factors and decreasing risk factors, they are equipped to live as thriving adults. Additionally, she provides interpersonal solution-focused therapy, specifically parent training, and pre-marital counseling. Many clients find her additional training in the integration of theology and psychology helpful when they are seeking a spiritual perspective on their issues.
Dr. Gale completed her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary Graduate School of Psychology (APA-approved). She is available to see clients at the
Marietta office.
Dr. Perlow was in private practice in the
Chicago area for seven years before moving to Atlanta. He became a
partner at PFPA in 1992 providing specialized Assessment and
Psychotherapy services for Children & Adolescents, and Adults.
He works with children from age 5 and older providing assessment and
treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD),learning problems, oppositional
behavior, and problems relating to peers.
Dr. Perlow has published
articles and worked extensively helping couples improve their
communication as partners and parents. He conducts individual,
family, and couples therapy to help with relationship
problems, parenting of children and adolescents,
depression, anxiety, and adult ADHD. He has
extensive work experience with gay adolescents and adults.
Dr. Perlow says that he
“appoaches psychological problems by looking at the way a person’s
environment influences them emotionally.” He notes that he likes to
“include whoever is relevant to the problem in sessions when
possible and appropriate.” He describes himself as
“solution-oriented” and most influenced by family systems and
cognitive-behavioral theorists.
Dr. Perlow graduated from Depaul University in 1985
with a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He sees clients at the
Marietta office.
Dr. Santiago provides assessment and therapy for children, adolescents and adults. She provides couples therapy, also. Dr. Santiago describes her approach as a Cognitive-Behavioral; the goal of her therapeutic work is to help the clients in a constant and healthy improvement of their quality of life.
(La Dra. Santiago ofrece terapias a menores, adolescentes y adultos; y trabaja en terapias individuales, grupales y de parejas. La Dra. Santiago describe su acercamiento como Cognitivo-Conductual. La meta de su trabajo terapéutico es ayudar al cliente en una constante y saludable búsqueda de mejorar su calidad de vida).
Dr. Santiago’s areas of interest include Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Loss, Elderly Issues, and Racial/Ethnic/Cultural Diversity Issues. She is aware that the Latin population in this country is growing fast, which encourages her to have an interest in multicultural issues, especially in Spanish speaking people.
(Las áreas de interés de la Dra. Santiago incluyen Depresión, Ansiedad, procesos de Duelo y Pérdidas, Asuntos de la Vejez, y Asuntos relacionados a la Diversidad Racial/Étnica/Cultural. Ella entiende que el hecho de que la población Latina está en aumento en este país, es de suma importancia mantener un interés en asuntos multiculturales, especialmente en la población de habla hispana).
Dr. Santiago is a Clinical Psychologist, who received her doctoral degree from Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. She’s a Licensed Psychologist in Puerto Rico, and is in the process of completing her Postdoctoral Fellowship in Powers Ferry Psychological Associates, LLC., in order to be licensed by the state of Georgia. She sees clients in the Marietta and Canton offices and is supervised by a Licensed Psychologist.
(La Dra. Santiago es una psicóloga clínica, y recibió su grado doctoral de la Escuela de Medicina de Ponce, en Puerto Rico. La Dra. Santiago posee licencia de psicóloga en Puerto Rico, no obstante, está en el proceso de completar su experiencia postdoctoral en Powers Ferry Psychological Associates, LLC, con el objetivo de obtener la licencia de Psicólogos del estado de Georgia. Ella atiende clientes en la oficinas de Marietta y and Canton y su trabajo es supervisado por Psicólogos Licenciados).
Allyn St. Lifer, LCSW
770-953-4744 ext 16.
Allyn St. Lifer joined Powers Ferry Psychological Associates in July 2008 after moving from Boston where she had a successful private practice for 29 years. Utilizing a positive, collaborative approach while providing a safe, nurturing environment, she helps individuals and couples to heal old wounds and patterns which often stem from unresolved issues and/or traumas from childhood and can also result from the type of parenting they received. Furthermore, she teaches people new ways of coping with past traumas and daily stresses of everyday life. As a result, clients not only develop a stronger sense of self, but they also feel more empowered to take charge of their lives and make healthy, thoughtful decisions enabling them to reach their full potential.
Believing that individuals respond differently to different types of treatment, she utilizes a wide variety of modalities- cognitive behavioral methods, family systems theory, body/mind techniques as well as an ego state model known as the Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy or DNMS (www.dmnsinstitute.com). Ego state models are helpful in addressing the different parts of the self that contribute to one’s inability to move forward in one’s life or “stuckness” and help an individual to break through old blocks and change patterns of thinking and behaving, thereby enabling one to live life fully. Allyn specializes in working with people who struggle with issues around relationship/intimacy, divorce, blended families, eating problems and related body image and self esteem difficulties, depression, anxiety, stress management, grief/loss and women’s issues, particularly transitioning into midlife.
While in Boston, Allyn developed, owned, and directed Slimworks, a comprehensive weight management program from a non-diet approach for nearly 30 years. Now in Atlanta she offers her knowledge, expertise, and support to individuals and groups by helping them to address and resolve the underlying emotional reasons for their overeating, improve their self esteem and body image, and develop healthy eating, exercise, and life plans to fit their lifestyles. New techniques and strategies for effectively dealing with life stresses are also taught. Using this multi-faceted approach, people learn to successfully lose weight, maintain it, and break free from the diet-deprivation-binge cycle.
Taking her experience and expertise from Slimworks. Allyn also sees patients who have had or are contemplating bariatric surgery. With her guidance patients examine and learn to manage the complexity of issues that they will be or are currently coping with post surgery including relationships, body and self image, emotions, stress and the many other changes they are facing. Patients are seen individually or in small groups.
Allyn has her Bachelors degree from Boston University in Psychology and English Literature. She received a Masters in Education from The Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and her Masters in Social Work from the Boston University School of Social Work. Allyn maintains dual clinical social work licenses in both Massachusetts and Georgia. She sees clients in the Marietta office.
Dr. Smiley
joined PFPA in September 2003. She has a broad base of clinical skills obtained
through her experiences in private practice, university counseling
centers, and community mental health settings. In addition, she has
obtained further training in multi-cultural counseling, group
therapy, career counseling, working with survivors of abuse, crisis
interventions, and outreach programming (e.g., stress management,
diversity training, and career development workshops).
Dr. Smiley provides
individual, couples, and family therapy to adults and adolescents.
Her areas of interest include
depression,
anxiety and stress management,
relationship difficulties,
divorce issues,
grief and loss,
and women’s issues.
Working from a cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal approach, the
goal of her therapeutic work is to help individuals identify and
change maladaptive life patterns, develop more balanced attitudes
towards themselves and others, develop more satisfying
relationships, and improve their ability to manage stress and
anxiety. In addition, Dr. Smiley also provides coaching for
individuals with struggling with issues such as ADHD,
career development,
college and graduate student growth and development, and obesity
and/or weight concerns.
Dr. Smiley also conducts psychological
evaluations
for ADHD
and learning disabilities,
as well as other mood or
anxiety disorders.
In addition to her
general practice, Dr. Smiley has created a group for children and
adolescents who are overweight. The goal of this group is to help
young people become more knowledgeable of weight and nutrition, more
physically active in their daily life, and better at managing the
emotions that may lead to unhealthy eating patterns. For more
information about this group, please refer to her brochure located
under the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” tab located in the left
column of your web page.
As a native of southeast Georgia, Dr. Smiley obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology
from the University of Georgia. She obtained her Master and
Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at the Georgia School of
Professional Psychology.
She sees
clients at the Marietta office.
Dr.
Spring provides Individual, couples, and family
therapy working with adolescents and adults. Dr. Spring affiliated
with PFPA in 2001. She has a master’s degree in Family and Marital
therapy, offering a unique perspective on problems facing
adolescents and young adults, as well as excellent training in
Marital therapy.
She also does
individual therapy with clients with women’s issues, childhood
trauma, eating disorders, and mood and anxietydisorders. She says
that she provides a supportive, interactive relationship where her
clients learn to “identify problematic patterns in their life and
access their strengths to bring about positive change, personal
growth and evolve into healthy relationships.”
Dr. Spring
completed her PhD in Counseling Psycholgy at Indiana State
University 1998. She sees clients
at the Marietta office.
Dr. Swales is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in providing
therapy and assessment services with
children, adolescents and adults. Common reasons for seeking an assessment include problems with
attention and concentration, learning difficulties and academic concerns,
delays in attaining developmental milestones, emotional and behavioral problems, and relationship difficulties. Dr. Swales provides comprehensive evaluations specifically tailored to address an individual’s concerns and utilizes information from collateral sources, such as teachers, parents, and significant others. She provides the client with an assessment report that includes specific recommendations for improvement, and these reports are appropriate for application in
academic, medical, and forensic settings.
In her therapy practice, Dr. Swales provides both individual and group services, as well as
family-based interventions. Common reasons for seeking therapy include
difficulty adjusting to life changes and transitions, coping with traumatic life experiences, and difficulty managing feelings, such as
depression, stress, anxiety and anger. Other common issues include
dissatisfaction in significant relationships, parenting challenges, and issues related to body image and unhealthy eating patterns. Dr. Swales focuses on increasing a client’s self-awareness and assists them in establishing new ways to cope with their difficulties that are consistent with the client’s personal values and beliefs. Dr. Swales also leads
social skills and parenting groups, as well as
workshops for individuals (children and adults) who have been diagnosed with attention problems.
Dr. Swales received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University. She has been in private practice in Texas since 2004, and recently relocated to the Atlanta area. Dr. Swales is in the process of becoming a preferred provider for several insurance companies. In the interim, she is willing to provide services on a
sliding-fee schedule, such that psychological services are more accessible and affordable for those seeking assistance. Dr. Swales is available to see clients in the
Marietta, Buckhead, and Canton offices.
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. Schwartz enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. He has extensive experience in the areas of assessment and treatment. Dr. Schwartz specializes in those areas which impact learning and performance. These areas include ADD/ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome, and Sports Neuropsychology. He utilizes a “consensus building” approach when working with individuals, families, professionals, teams and community resources. He is known for his practical recommendations and his easy accessibility.
Dr. Schwartz consults on local, national and international levels with school districts, state departments of education, provincial school boards, and many clinical settings. He does education and training for educators, administrations, and service providers to improve their effectiveness and abilities. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at Kennesaw State University and currently serves as a professor for the School Neuropsychology Diplomate program.
Dr. Schwartz received a joint doctorate in Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. He completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and Lexington Veterans Administration Hospitals. Dr. Schwartz completed his postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology at Braintree Hospital and the Harvard Teaching Hospitals, where he had the opportunity to study with outstanding leaders of the fields of Clinical Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neurology.
Dr. Schwartz is available to see clients in the Marietta and Canton offices and he does offer 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.