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. We are now accepting applicants for Spring 2024!
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.
_edited.jpg)
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.
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.
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.
CARTER DAY
GRADUATE INTERN
Carter is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Mercer University. She received an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Clemson University. Upon graduation, she worked as a kindergarten and first grade teacher in the public school system. During this time, she received specialized training to instruct children diagnosed with learning disabilities. After her time in the classroom, she held an administrative role at a nonprofit organization whose goal was to support mothers and their children.
Carter values providing a safe, nurturing environment and building a strong therapeutic alliance. She prefers a strengths-based approach and utilizes techniques pulled from cognitive behavioral therapy. Her interests include Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, anxiety, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, and trauma. She respects all individuals and the unique qualities they bring to the therapy room!
RACHEL TOUSSAINT
GRADUATE INTERN
Rachel is pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She has lived in Atlanta for 16 years, but her roots are in Miami, Florida. She volunteers at her church and loves singing in the choir and working with the children there.
She enjoys working with children between ages 5-17. Her clinical interest includes depression, anxiety, emotional regulation and grief and loss.
SERYE KIM
GRADUATE INTERN
Serye was born in South Korea and moved to the United States when she was young. She is currently a master's student at Agnes Scott College in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She graduated from Hendrix College in Arkansas with a bachelor's in Psychology and Spanish. Serye is passionate about mental health and well-being for children and teens, and hopes to provide a safe space in diverse settings. She loves to create art and make crafts in her free time, and would like to incorporate her interests with helping young children.
Serye's counseling interests include anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, ADHD, and increasing self-confidence and self-awareness. She is always open to learning more and continues to look for opportunities to serve children and families in need.
_edited_edited.jpg)
COURTNEY SHAW
GRADUATE INTERN
Courtney is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Agnes Scott College. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University in 2015. Courtney is native to Atlanta, Georgia but spent significant time living in Spain teaching English to small children after graduating with her Bachelor's degree.The invaluable experience that Courtney gained traveling abroad has contributed to her multicultural understanding and appreciation.
Courtney is passionate about centering communities that are traditionally underserved and underrepresented in the counseling field. Her beliefs about healing stem from a contemporary psychodynamic theoretical orientation. Courtney is looking forward to creating a safe and supportive environment for clients while prioritizing holistic healing.
Courtney is currently under the supervision of Kaytie Eastin, LCSW.
EUGENIE HALE
GRADUATE INTERN
Eugenie has spent the past four years since college graduation teaching young children in a local charter school and preschool. She is currently a graduate student at Agnes Scott College pursuing her degree in clinical mental health counseling. Eugenie is passionate about helping support children who struggle with anxiety, depression, and situational crises.
NAFISAT ANJORIN
GRADUATE INTERN
Nafisat Anjorin is currently enrolled in Wake Forest's Clinical Mental Health Graduate Program. She earned her bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of Georgia. Nafisat was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She has gained experience working with children with ADHD as an elementary school teacher.
Nafisat is passionate about working with children and advocating for underrepresented groups. She believes it is important to build relationships and create an empathic environment for clients. Nafisat helps clients to reframe their thoughts to increase self-awareness and self-confidence. Her current counseling interests include anxiety, emotion regulation, identity, and grief and loss.
NADIA VASQUEZ
GRADUATE INTERN
Nadia was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to the United States with her family at a young age. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in social work at Florida State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a graduate certificate in Spanish-English translation from Georgia State University. She has over a decade of experience working in K-12 public education as a Bilingual Parent/Community Liaison, providing language support services and helping families from diverse backgrounds navigate the school system to help their children succeed. She is passionate about advocating for mental health initiatives in public schools and increasing trauma-informed awareness and practices. She believes in creating safe spaces for children and adolescents to express themselves, learn, and above all, be heard. Nadia is committed to life-long learning, continually seeking opportunities to enhance her knowledge and skills to better serve families and children, recognizing that not one approach fits all.
MALLORY WARNER
GRADUATE INTERN
KYLIE JENKINS
GRADUATE INTERN
Kylie Jenkins is a student at Mercer University in the Rehabilitation Program. She graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and from there she knew she wanted to take the counseling route. She has always enjoyed working with children and had a passion for mental health.
ABIGAIL "ABBY" SHANNON
GRADUATE INTERN
Abigail is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Agnes Scott College. She received her BS in neuroscience from Dickinson College in 2021. After graduating, Abigail worked as an assistant teacher in the pre-K classroom at the Emory Autism Center.
Abigail is passionate about helping children and adolescents grow by providing a safe and creative space. She also believes in the importance of a holistic and strengths-based approach to counseling. Her clinical interests include ASD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation.
