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Ana Adelstein, Ph.D. 770-953-4744 ext. 47 Dr. Adelstein works with adults seeking to make their lives more personally fulfilling, including individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, difficult life transitions, interpersonal difficulties, and issues related to sexual orientation or gender expression. In her work with clients, she strives to understand and respect each individual’s experience, to help them draw their own meaning and strength from it, and to help guide them in using their discoveries to make positive changes in their lives. Dr. Adelstein has specialized training and experience working with children and teenagers, as well as their families. She appreciates the challenges facing families attempting to raise emotionally strong, self-aware kids who feel good about themselves and experience success. At PFPA, Dr. Adelstein is known for her warm, down-to-earth style, as well as her effectiveness in facilitating positive changes for the children with whom she works. With young children, Dr. Adelstein often incorporates play therapy into her work. She agrees that “play is the language of childhood”—that children are better able to express more of their thoughts, feelings, motivations, and struggles through play than they are able of expressing through talk. At times when it is not clear why a child is struggling, a psychological assessment can be very helpful. Dr. Adelstein conducts assessments that help identify the specific strengths of the child, as well as his/her specific challenges. Assessments can include an evaluation of a child’s emotional, social, behavioral, intellectual, and academic functioning. They can also be tailored to help identify strengths and weaknesses in the areas of language, attention, learning and memory, sensory perception, and motor functioning. Dr. Adelstein has training in identifying specific disorders having, or suspected to have, a neurological basis, and first seen in childhood (e.g., Autism; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Tourette Syndrome). Dr. Adelstein received her doctoral training from the University of Waterloo (Canada). She sees clients at the Marietta office.

Cecilia Phillips-Binder, Ph.D. 770-953-4744 ext. 21 Dr. Cecilia Phillips-Binder works with adults in individual and couples therapy. She addresses problems commonly faced in today’s hectic and stress-ridden modern world, including relationship issues, self-image and body image concerns, women’s issues, life transitions, and personal growth. She also works with the common conditions of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and stress management. Dr. Phillips-Binder has a special interest in helping women as they develop a career and manage romantic, marital, and parenting aspirations. Dr. Phillips-Binder has extensive experience working with people who have chronic and serious physical illnesses, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. She has a special interest in helping people manage the psychological difficulties of terminal illness. Dr. Phillips-Binder believes that mood, thinking, and behavior are all affected by a sense of belonging and closeness in important relationships. “Very early in our lives we develop patterns in the ways we relate to people close to us. These patterns persist into adulthood and affect the quality of our relationships. We also construct a self-image based on interactions in our important early relationships, which affects how we feel, think, and behave in relationship to our self…how we take care of ourselves.” Coming from this perspective, Dr. Phillips Binder emphasizes that the primary goals of psychotherapy include identifying and changing problematic relationship patterns and improving self-image. “My experience suggests that as clients develop greater awareness of themselves and how they relate to others and greater acceptance of themselves, their symptoms tends to diminish and they tend to experience decreased stress and increased capacity for creativity, joy, and fulfillment in their lives.” Dr. Phillips-Binder’s believes that psychotherapy is a collaborative process. Further, providing safety, acceptance, and honesty is an important part of the therapy since, “Clients can only explore the difficult and very personal issues that are important to their lives within a safe, collaborative environment.” Dr. Phillips-Binder was inspired to become a psychotherapist while working as a research assistant on one of the major psychotherapy research projects conducted during the 1980’s. As a single mother of two teenagers, she received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University in 1995. Dr. Phillips-Binder recently moved to Atlanta from Nashville, Tennessee, where she was in clinical practice for twelve years. For the past ten years, in her private practice she specialized in working with professionals in business, health care, entertainment, and academics, as well as their family members. She joined PFPA in the Spring, 2007 and has immediate openings for people seeking individual or couples therapy in the Buckhead and Marietta offices.

Gerald S. Drose, Ph.D. 770-953-4744 ext. 12 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 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 experienDr. 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.

Elaine Eassa, PhD 770-953-4744 ext. 22> 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.

Martin Fleet, PhD 770-953-4744 ext. 23 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 Frazier, MS Ed., LPC 770-953-4744 ext. 17 Michael has worked for the last seven 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, 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 has conducted several state wide seminars for many social service agencies. 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. He describes himself as “solution-focused” and is most influenced by 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 4cusED™ Principles: Decide, Imagine, Think, and Act. 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.

Abby Friedman, PhD 770-953-4744 ext. 15 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.

Elizabeth Mehling 770-953-4744 ext. 48 Elizabeth Mehling is an intern in the Masters program in Professional Counseling at Georgia State University. She enjoys working with teens and young adults coping with self-esteem issues, eating disorders, ADHD and other stressful life transitions. She has worked with the Eating Disorders Information Network to help develop an eating disorder prevention program for gymnastics and ballet studios. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, Elizabeth has been involved in research studying methamphetamine abuse in order to develop effective intervention techniques. Elizabeth sees clients on a sliding scale at PFPA’s Marietta office and is supervised by a Licensed Psychologist. Clients without insurance or those needing reduced fees can Elizabeth.

Steven Perlow, Ph.D. 770-953-4744 ext. 14 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.

Allyn St. Lifer, LCSW 770-953-4744 Allyn St. Lifer was in private practice in the Boston area for 27 years before moving to Georgia in June 2007. She treats adults, primarily individuals and couples. 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. Allyn creates a safe, nurturing environment in which her clients can 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 one received. She works to help people to develop a stronger sense of self and learn new ways of coping with past traumas and daily stresses of everyday life. Furthermore, she takes a positive, collaborative approach in assisting people to take charge of their lives and make healthy, thoughtful decisions helping reach their full potential. While in Boston, Allyn owned and directed Slimworks, a weight management program from a non-diet approach. She worked with individuals and ran groups helping people to successfully lose weight and maintain the weight loss while also improving their self esteem/body image. She helped individuals explore the underlying reasons for their overeating, and develop eating, exercise, and life plans to fit their lifestyles while teaching them new strategies for coping with life’s stressors. Allyn has her Bachelors degree from Boston University in Psychology and English Literature. She also has 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.

Kimberly Smiley, PsyD 770-953-4744 ext. 25 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.

Jennifer Spring, PhD 770-953-4744 ext. 11 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 anxiety disorders. 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.

Jennifer Swales, PhD 770-953-4744 ext. 41 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.

Monique Terrell, PhD 770-953-4744 Dr. Terrell works with children, adolescents, and adults. She describes her approach to her clients as “person-centered and culturally informed.” Whether working with individuals, couples or families she taps into their own resources of strength, believing that “long-lasting and effective change comes from within.” Respectful of individual responses to psychotherapy, Dr. Terrell consistently evaluates ongoing treatment in order to provide the most efficient and effective therapy of her clients Dr. Terrell has conducted research in the area of cultural /racial identity and the experiences of biracial persons. A native New Yorker, her ongoing passion for exacting change has led her to the Atlanta area. In addition to her work at PFPA, she continues to be involved in community projects which seek to empower at- risk and underserved persons. She currently acts as an Executive Director at a well- respected non- profit in one of the most impoverished areas in Atlanta. Dr. Terrell received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University in New York. She is available to see clients in the Buckhead and Marietta offices. She does not take insurance but does offer a sliding fee scale.

Dina Zeckhausen, PhD 770-953-4744 ext. 13 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.