TERESA WOODRUFF
LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS
OWNER AND CO-DIRECTOR OF EAST COBB OFFICE

Teresa is the owner and clinical director of Art It Out. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS). She received her Undergraduate degree in Art Education from the University of Georgia and her Master's in Counseling & Art Therapy from the University of Louisville. Teresa has worked several therapeutic settings. Teresa started Art It Out in 2009 in hopes of providing a center where children, teens and adults could combine creativity with improving social and emotional well-being.

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Teresa truly believes in making art for self-expression, as a way to communicate intense or negative feelings, and to use as a tangible reminder of coping skills. She combines making art with psychotherapy to help children, teens and adults increase self-esteem, develop anger management strategies, reduce anxiety, deal with major life transitions, work through grief and loss, and enhance communication skills. Teresa has extensive experience working with clients who have low self-esteem, anxiety, difficulty adjusting to parental divorce, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Developmental Disorders, or an acute or chronic medical illness.  Teresa is active in the therapy community of Atlanta and serves on the board of Kate's Club, a non-profit for grieving children and families. Currently Teresa is not accepting new clients but supervises and trains other clinicians at Art It Out. 

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BROOKE LARSON JOHNSON
LCSW
CO-DIRECTOR OF EAST COBB OFFICE

Brooke is the Co-Director of our East Cobb Office.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who completed her Master of Social Work at Kennesaw State University with a focus in Children and Family Services in 2015.  Brooke is passionate about helping children and families and supporting our therapists through supervision and consultation. She has extensive experience working with individuals and families with anxiety, depression, social skill challenges, low self-esteem, behavioral management, parenting strategies, changes in family dynamics, grief, and difficulty adjusting to transitions. Brooke has additional training in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Positive Discipline Training and is a Certified Positive Parent Educator. Brooke is a member of the National Association of Social Work (NASW).

Before her work at Art It Out, Brooke worked with numerous children, adolescents, and families. While at Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC), a local non-profit providing assistance to families affected by intimate partner violence, she was in a variety of roles during her six years there: Family Support Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, and Children's Program Director. She also has experience being on the Citizen Review Panel assisting families involved in the foster care system, providing therapeutic care to juveniles in the department of justice, and supporting geriatric patients while in a short and long term nursing facility. Through her years of experience, Brooke recognizes a strength-based approach allows focus to remain on the positive qualities individuals have to best meet their identified goals, achieve success, and experience joy.

NICOLE WOOD
MA, NCC, LPC, CPCS

Nicole Wood is Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Nicole received her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University in 2007 and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from The University of Georgia in 2000. Nicole works primarily with adolescents, young adults, and their families. Nicole has been a school counselor for 11 years in the Roswell area and has worked with a variety of adolescents including those with learning differences, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Having a teenage daughter herself, Nicole recognizes the stress that these issues can present to adolescents and their families and is very familiar with strategies on how to help things run more smoothly in the family system.

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Nicole strives to help her clients recognize their self-worth and to be able to accomplish the goals they have set for themselves in life. Nicole has also owned her own photography business for over a decade and her goal is to be able to help adolescents and young adults express themselves through the use of photography as a way to connect with their emotions, increase their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. She uses an Adlerian and Cognitive-Behavioral approach and strives to help clients work through every day stressors with confidence and a strong sense of adequacy and self-worth.

Samantha received her Bachelor degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University. She is currently working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.  Her clinical experience includes working with children, teens, and adults (ages 3 to 40) in multiple settings providing individual, family, and group counseling, as well as, psychological assessment.

Samantha has a passion for working with children and teens. She has focused her work on helping others learn coping skills for anxiety, manage depression, improve prosocial behaviors, improve self-esteem, manage mood disorders and manage anger. She also has worked with children and families in crisis and those who have experienced trauma or grief.

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Samantha has completed extensive research in eating disorders, positive body image, and healthy habits. She feels passionately about helping young girls and women appreciate their bodies and learn to love themselves for their positive characteristics. She helps her clients recognize their inner strengths and resiliency to improve self-esteem, reduce negative self-talk, and find motivation. Samantha combines creative forms of therapy and incorporates art into many sessions, using Positive Psychology as well as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

Chelyan is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC).  She is currently working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.  She obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University and her Bachelor’s degree in English from Kennesaw State University.  She has an extensive background working with children and families for over 10 years. Chelyan realized her passion for helping children identify and understand their emotions while working as a teacher.  She supports collaboration with parents and teachers to help children feel comfortable and successful in their learning environments with peers and at home.  

Chelyan has experience leading grief support groups for Kate’s Club with elementary and middle school students in local schools.  She deeply values the therapeutic relationship and builds upon connecting with clients to foster change. She aims to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for all clients to feel supported and able to grow. Chelyan works with children, adolescents, and teens. She specializes in generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, low self-esteem, body image, life transitions, changes in family structure, and grief. She utilizes expressive art activities along with Cognitive-Behavioral techniques in sessions. Chelyan frequently utilizes strengths-based approaches, building upon clients' strengths to help them work through difficult life transitions and learn new coping skills. 

Chelyan is trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment, developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center. SPACE is a parent-based treatment to address child anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and related problems. Parents/caregivers attend sessions and are active participants in treatment. Parents and caregivers who participate in SPACE treatment learn skills and tools to help their child manage and navigate anxiety and other related problems. SPACE treatment may be beneficial for families when a child or adolescent is experiencing distress related to anxiety but is hesitant to attend treatment. SPACE treatment can also be implemented alongside child therapy.

Elise Roche is an Associate Licensed Professional Counselor (LAPC) and Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and is currently working under the supervision of Erin Holcomb, LPC, CPCS.  Elise received her Master’s of Science in Art Therapy from Florida State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of Georgia. Elise has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of in-patient and out-patient settings. Elise has found her work most impactful with children and teens experiencing mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder) and anxiety disorders (including OCD).

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Elise began her mental health career by partnering with a local non-profit and an Atlanta High School to provide trauma counseling to adolescents, and by providing monthly training for school staff on trauma-informed care. She found that often when a child is experiencing challenges, it can significantly impact their system of care, and vice-versa. Elise is passionate about not only empowering the individual client to increase resiliency, but also working with the family to create structures and communication strategies in the home that will continue to support the individual needs of each family member. Elise then went on to build an evidence-based DBT Art Therapy program at a residential facility for adolescents in crisis, that were experiencing mood and anxiety disorders. Elise co-created the family programming model for the facility, which included creative workshops centered on re-building parent-child relationships and applying DBT skills within the home.

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Elise has training and experience working in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness Based Art Therapy (MBAT) frameworks. Elise has experience working with individuals and families who identify as LGBTQIA and supporting them in accepting and developing their identity. Elise believes in using strengths-based approaches with her clients and discovering interests and passions to use as a vehicle for change. Through a combination of talk, art, and play therapy, relationships can be strengthened and adolescents and families can be empowered to use past experiences to increase resiliency.

Lauren received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University.  Lauren is an Associate License and is under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS. Lauren offers a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental ear to her clients.  She creates a safe place for her clients to be themselves while meeting their goals. 

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Lauren has a passion for guiding children and adolescents through their journey while encouraging and supporting them along the way.  She believes creating rapport, giving her clients unconditional positive regard, and identifying their strengths are the foundations of the  therapeutic relationship and working towards change.  Lauren believes that counseling can be beneficial and unique to each client and strives to stay creative to find the best method for them!  She approaches therapy with a collection of theoretical perspectives including Person-Centered Therapy, Expressive Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.  Lauren has worked in schools as well as private practice. 

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She works with a diverse range of stressors and diagnoses including anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism, trauma, behavioral challenges, disconnection, and social skills.  Lauren aspires to combine art with traditional therapeutic methods as art often encourages us to express ourselves in ways we cannot put into words.  Lauren pushes herself daily to stay curious and provide a genuine environment where her clients can thrive.

KAYLEE GOSS
MA, LAPC, NCC

Kaylee is an Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.  She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Treatment from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

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Kaylee prioritizes a safe and supportive environment for children and adolescents to feel freedom to explore, express, and challenge themselves. Kaylee believes that each child has natural strengths and abilities that can be their guiding force through difficult times.

Kaylee operates from a holistic and integrative approach because she believes that with each unique child, there is a unique treatment. She finds it helpful to use a Client-Centered perspective to learn about presenting issues through the lens of the child and family. She frequently uses art, music, and play in therapy as a window into a child’s world.

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Kaylee is trained in Trauma-Focused CBT techniques and often employs these techniques in her therapy work. As a Certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Rainbow Children’s Yoga Instructor, Kaylee incorporates yoga and mindfulness activities for individuals and groups of children and adolescents dealing with anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, and trauma. Kaylee also integrates knowledge of brain development into therapy to understand the needs of each child. Kaylee enjoys connecting with parents in co-creating goals and developing treatment solutions that meet the needs of the child and the family.

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Prior to working at Art It Out, Kaylee gained experience in play therapy at a Erie Neighborhood House, a non-profit based in Chicago. She has experience working with anxiety, anger, oppositional behaviors, aggression, grief, trauma, low self-esteem, high conflict families, and children with disabilities. Kaylee is open and comfortable working with diverse children, adolescents, and families (i.e., age, race, culture, gender, and sexual orientation). She also has experience in outpatient group and inpatient hospital settings using DBT and CBT techniques with children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and various other mood and behavior disorders.

Chelsea is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education where she utilized her degree to teach 2nd and 5th grade. She now holds a master’s degree in clinical social work with a concentration in Child and Family Therapy and is currently working under supervision.

Chelsea believes that solving emotional hardships begins with understanding the whole person, including their developmental stage, family system, and life experiences.  As appropriate, she provides holistic treatment by engaging the family in the therapy process and discovering avenues of advocacy outside of the home and family unit.  In session, Chelsea uses art, play, and person-centered approaches to understand an individual’s internal world.  Her clinical modalities are dependent on the needs of the individual and pull from Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  Chelsea works with a diverse range of clients starting with young children through adulthood.  Her experience includes supporting young children experiencing extreme emotional dysregulation and unlearned social skills, children and individuals with struggles of anxiety, perfectionism, asynchronous development in regard to emotional and cognitive development, depression, family transitions including divorce and adoption, and other attachment related concerns.

Prior to Art It Out, Chelsea gained experience at Pathways Transitions Program, Inc. where she served families and individuals in home and school-based settings.  Here, she collaborated with DFCS and foster care programs to serve at-risk youth and their families looking to overcome trauma and other complex barriers interrupting their path to wellbeing.  From this experience, Chelsea has become comfortable working with individuals from all walks of life with a range of needs.​

Andilyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. Andilyn is working towards her Licensed Associate Professional Counselor credential and is currently under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS. Her experience includes working with children and teens in a private practice setting, with a focus on various issues such as anxiety, body image + self-esteem, attachment, Autism Spectrum concerns, and depression.

Andilyn is passionate about serving her clients as an empathetic fellow traveler in their unique journeys and is committed to a holistic approach to therapy in order to serve the whole person, not just the presenting issue. Andilyn strives to create a judgement-free, nurturing space for clients through practices such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, expressive art techniques and a person-centered approach. Andilyn is dedicated to meeting each client where they are and to serve them as an advocate by fostering a trusting therapeutic alliance with each family. Andilyn genuinely believes that mental health counseling is not a one size fits all process, and she can’t wait to walk alongside your child in their special story. 

Britt is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and is currently working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.   She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wofford College and earned her Master’s in Education and Education Specialist degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Clemson University.  Prior to earning her Master’s, Britt gained clinical experience while working at the Marcus Autism Center (MAC) in Atlanta as a behavioral data analyst. At MAC, Britt had the opportunity to utilize Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) treatment on the Severe Behavior Unit, working with children, adolescents and young adults with severe behavioral difficulties. Britt then spent a year working at Art It Out as the Clinical and Administrative Assistant. This role provided Britt the rare opportunity to assist in facilitating social skills and DBT groups. In her administrative role, Britt enjoyed the process of helping families and individual clients alike find the right counselor to meet their specific needs. Seeing all the wonderful work the counselors at Art It Out did helped Britt discover that counseling was her passion, too!  After experiencing firsthand the important work being done by the counselors at Art It Out, Britt made it her goal to pursue her Master’s degree and return to the company as a counselor.

While earning her Master’s degree, Britt added to her clinical experience by completing a practicum at Carolina Family Services in Greenville, SC. She then served as an intern at Converse College Wellness Center, providing individual therapy to college-aged students.

Britt leverages the power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and expressive arts techniques to help her clients and their families achieve their goals. Britt believes in the importance of taking a person-centered approach to therapy and creating a climate for growth by being genuine and nonjudgmental. Britt has experience and enjoys helping individuals with anxiety, depression, poor self-esteem, family or relational issues, gender identity exploration, grief, and trauma.

KELLEY STALEY
NCC, LAPC

Kelley holds credentialing as an Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She received her Undergraduate degree in Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies from Auburn University and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. Kelley’s mission is to create an accepting, warm, and trusting space for each client while encouraging, challenging, connecting, and listening with an open heart and mind. 

Kelley has experience in a variety of settings with children, adolescents/teens, young adults, and adults ranging from ages 5 to 50. Kelley welcomes clients of all ages and from all walks of life and backgrounds. She has a passion for working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, poor self-esteem, anger, grief/loss, and much more. While some clients may present with similar goals or presenting concerns, Kelley believes that each client’s journey in therapy is unique and requires a custom and comprehensive approach. Kelley strives to help clients recognize their strengths, build emotional awareness, and establish assertive communication, self-care habits, and effective coping and social skills. She works to ensure each session is tailored to the client’s specific needs and various goals through use of Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and expressive techniques. Kelley enjoys
incorporating expressive interventions throughout therapy as she believes that creativity has the power to inspire, motivate, and express what is often so hard to put into words. Kelley is currently working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS. 

Emily is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) and is currently working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.  Upon graduating with her Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in Visual Communications with a minor in Psychology, Emily became a Registered Behavior Technician, working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. After utilizing ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy with the ASD population for six years, she received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, she did an 18-month internship at The Tree House, a child advocacy center, where she was able to create a safe space for children and adolescents of all identities to process their physical, emotional, verbal, and/or sexual abuse using TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). She also has a background in working with people who experience anxiety, depression, grief, shame, life transitions, interpersonal conflict, and those who exhibit disordered eating and have suicidal ideation.

Emily’s main goal in her therapeutic relationships is creating safety and trust while incorporating expressive art techniques as a tool that allows children and adolescents to fully express themselves. She uses a person-centered framework to create a non-judgmental, empathic space that allows flexibility to meet each client's unique needs. She also pulls from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and Adlerian Theory to fully serve the kids, teens, and adults that she works with.

SARAH JOHNS
MS, ATR-P, LAPC

Sarah Johns is an art therapist (ATR-P) and associate counselor (LAPC) under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.  She received her Master’s of Science in Art Therapy from Florida State University and her Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Creativity and Mental Health) from the University of Alabama.  She believes the client is the expert in their own experience and aims to act as a companion and guide to help young people navigate their life experiences to improve mental health and wellbeing.  

Sarah has worked in a variety of clinical mental health settings, including children’s advocacy centers, an alternative school, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and a juvenile correctional facility. Through her experiences in these settings, Sarah has worked with young people facing a variety of mental health concerns.  In particular, she finds working with children and adolescent clients who have experienced trauma to be particularly meaningful and fulfilling.  Sarah also enjoys working with clients on reducing anxiety, improving self-esteem, and addressing identity formation and sense of self.

Sarah has experience working within Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), intersectional, and person-centered frameworks.  Sarah integrates art therapy and traditional therapeutic models to help clients process thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to verbalize.

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ALISHA MASCIOLI
MEd, LAPC

Alisha obtained her Master's of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. Alisha is currently working under the supervision of Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS. Her clinical experience includes working with children, teens, and young adults in individual and group settings. Alisha is a culturally diverse counselor who embraces clients from all walks of life and adapts treatment based on the client and their cultural background.

Alisha believes that by providing a safe space for her clients and by being authentic, that she can aid them in surmounting behavioral and mental health struggles. Alisha utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy with an integration of art expressive therapy and play to help identify and challenge intrusive thoughts, develop coping skills for life changes, anxiety, and depression, and identify how to healthily manage and express emotions.

Alisha believes that increased emotional knowledge at a young age can provide a strong foundation for a healthier and happier life in adulthood. She believes that art can be a vehicle to aid in expression of inner workings of the mind that cannot always be verbalized. Alisha strives to provide a warm and empathetic counseling setting to assist clients in achieving their goal. She enjoys helping clients of all ages who struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, ADHD, behavioral challenges, identity formation, gender identity discovery, and interpersonal struggles. 

MIM LONG
MA, NCC

Mim is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University and her undergraduate BA from Duke University.  Over her many decades of life experience, Mim has discovered her passion for therapy and the importance of helping people, both young and old, with the struggles of today.  This includes but is not limited to: anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, emotional regulation, social skills, grief and loss processing, and trauma. 

Embracing a person-centered, holistic approach with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and emotional focus techniques, Mim's ultimate foundation rests in developing a safe space and trusting the therapeutic relationship between clients and herself.  Mim provides help, supports and encourages emotional development, builds positive social skills, navigates crises and trauma, as well as finds and focuses on strengths to help clients through the tough times.  Mim is a cheerleader at heart with a healthy sense of humor and thrives on the unique interactions with clients both individually and in group. 

Mim has experience working with children, teens, and adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationships, managing frustration and emotions, grief or loss, and who need a safe supportive environment to process life's stressors.  

Mim is also skilled at working with parents and the myriad issues they face in supporting their children in these challenging times with positive parenting guidance and family focus. Her talents also serve to help our adult clientele who find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-care, relationship struggles, emotional regulation, and trauma.  Mim is supervised by Brooke Johnson, LCSW and Teresa Woodruff, LPC, ATR-BC, CPCS.