We have Graduate Student Interns from a variety of schools. Our interns are typically with us for 12 months. Click here to apply for a graduate internship or to learn more about joining our team as an intern.
CAROLINE HAMNER
GRADUATE INTERN
Caroline is pursuing her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercer University. She has lived in Atlanta for 22 years, but her roots are in Louisiana with her family. After graduating from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology, Caroline followed her love of working with children and worked in behavioral therapy for kids and teens with ASD and ADHD. Working with children inspired Caroline to pursue her MFT degree and work with a more systemic approach.
Caroline believes in establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship which allows clients to feel safe and have freedom to explore all aspects of their lives. Her clinical interests include grief and loss, building tools/coping mechanisms, anxiety, emotional regulation, and family relationships.
JEN ALIFF
GRADUATE INTERN
Jen Aliff is an intern therapist studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University. She began her interest in helping professions at Purdue University where she double majored in English and Psychology. Jen has spent most of her life as an advocate for abused and neglected children, first working with DCFS and volunteering at a local crisis center, then later as a child advocate as both a foster and adoptive parent.
Jen uses a person-centered approach with her clients often pulling from both CBT and solutions focused modalities. Leading with a growth mindset, Jen has a heart for individuals struggling with big feelings, behavioral issues, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, as well as gender identity and sexuality. She has a wealth of experience professionally, but also personally having nine children. Jen aspires to build a space of safety and understanding where her clients can grow and thrive.
KIARRA DONNELLY
GRADUATE INTERN
Kiarra is a graduate intern from Kennesaw State University, where she is completing her Masters of Clinical Social Work. Previously, she interned with Southeast Addiction Center. Kiarra has always been drawn to the intersection of creativity, self-discovery, and healing. She holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from Coastal Carolina University and an RYT-200 yoga teacher certification. As a relentless student of herself, Kiarra also enjoys guiding clients on the journey towards wellness, compassion, and self-love. Destigmatizing mental health struggles is one of Kiarra’s missions in life.
Kiarra’s preferred therapeutic modalities are CBT, DBT, and mindfulness. Her primary therapeutic interests include anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, trauma, and self-esteem. She has a true heart for working with children and teenagers. Kiarra considers it an honor to walk alongside clients of all ages, races, genders, sexualities, and personal identities.
GRACIE SEAVER
GRADUATE INTERN
Gracie is completing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. She has a double BA in English Literature and Public Health from Agnes Scott College. She believes that a holistic approach to health starting at a young age can foster healthy growth mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Gracie has worked with children of all ages for several years as a nanny and has incorporated her knowledge of counseling and creative pedagogy in her care for the families she has worked with. Her experience with children has resulted in a passion for helping them through every stage of growing up and the struggles accompanying these stages, including anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation. She also intends to specialize in providing care for those who have experienced complex trauma,
Gracie believes in establishing a strong, collaborative, and trust-based therapeutic relationship that allows the client to be their authentic selves. She draws from Existential Theory and CBT, with an overall person-centered approach. Gracie believes that all clients deserve a supportive and safe counseling environment that promotes their well-being and their ability to grow and heal.
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NAFIHA CHOWDHURY
GRADUATE INTERN
Nafiha is a master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University. Born in Bangladesh and raised in Georgia, she identifies as a native Georgian. During her undergraduate studies, she tutored middle and high school girls. During her undergrad, she joined a non-profit organization and tutored high school girls. As she began her master’s program at Mercer, she was given a position at a private school where she took the role of a teacher and mentor for boys and girls in the third and fourth grades.
Nafiha has years of experience working with children and youth of all ages. Her experiences have taught her to be patient and empathetic with individuals, allowing her to understand from their perspectives. She believes in establishing a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients through a holistic approach to creating the appropriate space for her clients.
ABBY JONES
GRADUATE INTERN
Abby is an intern therapist from Mercer University, where she is completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Abby began her college journey playing soccer at Presbyterian College for two years then transferred to Georgia Tech to finish her degree. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with an emphasis on Psychology and Spanish.
Abby’s primary therapeutic interests include anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, self esteem, depression, and athletes. She is passionate about working with young women as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and with athletes as they learn to manage the pressures they face in the sports they love. She enjoys working from a trauma-informed approach, integrating CBT, DBT, and mindfulness. Abby is a certified yoga teacher (RYT-200) and believes in the power of incorporating movement and breath work to help individuals live their lives to the fullest. She hopes to create empathetic and compassionate connections as she walks alongside students in their unique mental health journeys. She is excited to work with individuals and groups of all ages, genders, and personal identities.
NIKKI BERNE
GRADUATE INTERN
Nikki is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work from Kennesaw State University and will graduate in May 2023. She holds a BA in Deaf Education from Georgia State University and has focused her work on the disability community. Nikki utilizes art and nature as therapeutic modalities when working with clients of all ages. With every client, Nikki ensures there is a strong therapeutic trust and focuses interventions based on the client's needs.
Nikki is under the supervision of Kaytie Eastin, LCSW.
BROOKE BOURNE
GRADUATE INTERN
Brooke is enrolled at Richmont Graduate University’s CACREP accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program and will graduate in May 2023. She grew up on Saint Simons Island, GA, and carries the joy of the outdoors throughout her therapeutic approach.
She is passionate about encouraging others through holistic, narrative, and person-centered methods. She focuses her work on individuals of all ages experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, life stage transitions, identity issues, and social or emotional struggles. She believes people make sense in the context of their stories. She believes in connecting the mind, heart, and body in a safe and welcoming environment to reach the individual’s goals. She believes in creating a space for a safe and thriving therapeutic relationship for the client to feel the freedom to express their true self.
KAREN LONCKE
GRADUATE INTERN
Karen is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from LaGrange College in both theatre arts and psychology. Karen has experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, children with ADHD, and children with a dual diagnosis. She spent 2 years working at Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center and 1 year working as a paraprofessional in K - 3rd grade classrooms. Karen has always believed in the therapeutic nature of art and hopes to help clients understand themselves and their lives better through it. With her experience in working with children, she would gladly help you on your journey through life as you navigate transitions, learn more about yourself and your emotions, and grow into your true self.
BRIANA THOMAS
GRADUATE INTERN
Briana Thomas is in the clinical mental health program at Mercer University. She is from Cedartown, Georgia. She completed her bachelor’s at Georgia State University with a degree in Sociology. Georgia State University is where she found her passion for counseling. She became intrigued with working with individuals in underserved areas.
After graduating, Briana worked for two years as a behavioral specialist at a residential mental health facility with children dealing with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD, and ODD. She has also worked for almost two years as a registered behavioral therapist with children with ASD.
For Briana, building a relationship and rapport with a client is the most significant aspect of the counseling process. She works from a CBT and Adlerian approach. Her clinical interests are behavioral issues, emotional regulation, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, and ASD.
MEGAN MATHIS
GRADUATE INTERN
Megan is enrolled in Mercer’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling masters program and will graduate in December of 2023. She is an East Cobb native, where she attended Dickerson Middle School and Walton High School. Megan earned a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Music from Berry College in Rome, GA. After graduation, she worked with children in a variety of settings as a nanny, preschool teacher, and a violin and piano teacher. These different experiences led her to pursue her masters in Counseling, so that she may be able to help children through the different stages of life.
She believes in establishing a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for her clients by using a person centered approach combined with techniques of CBT and creativity. Having grown up playing violin, she sees the value and therapeutic benefits of including music and art within the counseling process, and believes that providing a safe space for creativity will help children navigate the different stages of growing up.
MORRE McCOLLUM
GRADUATE INTERN
Morre is pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Adams State University. She received a BA in English from Vanderbilt University. In her previous career, Morre’s warmth and empathetic nature helped her build long lasting relationships in the corporate world. However, her most fulfilling job was the time she spent working at what is now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in the Volunteer Services Program. This opportunity solidified her passion to work with children, adolescents, and adults in a meaningful way to help them face life’s challenges and develop coping strategies.
Morre believes in the importance of creating an empathetic, safe therapeutic environment. Having raised three boys and a stepdaughter, she is passionate about the holistic impact that improving social skills, confidence, and emotional regulation can have on the trajectory of a child’s health and wellbeing now and in future years to come.
HALEIGH BAULDWIN
GRADUATE INTERN
Haleigh is enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Program at Mercer University. She is a native to Chickamauga, Georgia. She received her B.S. in psychology from the University of West Georgia. Since then, she has gained experience working with children with ASD and ADHD through creative expression, mindfulness, and emotional regulation techniques.
She hopes to facilitate change within others by creating a safe space for individuals to find ways to become more attuned to life’s experiences. She believes that life is about perspective, just as art is, which gives way to a connection that can lead to increased self-awareness, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationships through reframing thoughts as in CBT to overcome life's struggles.
Her primary therapeutic interests include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-identity, and ASD. She looks forward to working with individuals in all walks of life.
DAVID CUNNINGHAM
GRADUATE INTERN
David Cunningham is currently a graduate student studying Clinical Mental Health at The University of West Georgia. David is also a registered behavioral technician and has been working with children since he was 18. His goals are to consistently keep improving mentally and physically and have a positive impact on people he encounters. David enjoys working with children as young as five years old through early adolescence. In his free time, David enjoys sports, music, and gaming. David is the first male in his family to graduate from college and he is a part of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
JENNA LONG
GRADUATE INTERN
Jenna is obtaining her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia Southern University. She previously used art therapy while working with older adults diagnosed with dementia which led to her interest in wanting to utilize art therapeutically.
Jenna wants to help children improve their overall well-being by building a trusting therapeutic relationship, working on issues related to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and emotional regulation, and learning how to use coping mechanisms. Jenna believes that giving children the tools they need to reframe their way of thinking and behaving when they are young can be beneficial in helping them grow as healthy individuals.