WE CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU!
Our Clinicians
Danielle Fox
LMFT – Practice Owner & President
“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines upon things, they are transformed”.
Danielle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine in 2014 with a Master of Science in Family Therapy. In 2010, she graduated with a Master of Science in Human Services/Public Service Leadership from Capella University and from Mercer University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Danielle founded Southern Bridge Inc. Counseling and Family Therapy in 2016 with what she describes as “her purpose”. Danielle’s dream for Southern Bridge Inc. is to create a bridge between hopelessness and healing with the community where she grew up.
Danielle uses a client-focused, multifaceted, and systemic approach based on the unique needs of each client. She currently works with adults, children, and adolescents, individually and/or as a unit. She is experienced in supporting her patients in change using an existential design focused on difficulties that arise from depression, anxiety, spirituality, diversity, complex trauma, and life stage changes. She specializes in working with couples who struggle with intimacy, connection, and relationship difficulties through techniques shown by research to be effective and sees emotional connection and communication as the basis for identifying and alleviating relationship problems.
Danielle believes that each human being has the potential to lessen the severity and heal from the pain of emotional wounds. She works alongside her clients to increase each person’s chance to pursue transformation through therapy. She stands by her promise to support her clients through their unique journey by facilitating awareness guidance, transparency, direction and encouragement.
Jean Hatt
LPC – Clinical Director & COO
“Every day is a new beginning. We can take a deep breath, smile, and start again.”
Jean Geherin Hatt partners with adults, adolescents, children, and couples to help them find their best life. Through supporting her clients, they develop and utilize effective techniques for managing and decreasing their personal stressors, overcoming their personal obstacles, and bringing hope back into their lives. Because her life has been blessed by these techniques, she desires to share them with you.
Jean uses clinically tested and evidence-based interventions to accomplish this, including techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma Focused CBT. She earned her Master’s in Professional Counseling from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State before moving to Georgia (she may not have been born in the South, but she got here just as quickly as she could!). Additionally, she is a National Board-Certified Counselor. Jean believes that when we are honest with ourselves and willing to open our minds to explore new life strategies, changes will occur that lead us down a better path to happiness and hope.
She is passionate about working with people who make the brave choice to explore their options in therapy and find a way to heal. Knowing that a successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that are thrown at him or her, Jean looks forward to supporting you with building this foundation for yourself, whether you are challenged by grief, trauma, domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, anger, marriage and family issues, mood fluctuations, behavior difficulties, low self-esteem, accidents or natural disasters, life changes, or other life-disturbing symptoms or events.
When not in the office, Jean loves spending time with her husband and daughter, exploring and hiking mountains.
Aylesha Gurley
MS, LAMFT
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” -Maya Angelou
Aylesha is a double graduate from Valdosta State University, with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2015 and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2017. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner, and feels our individual experiences and the people we interact with shape our life journey. She believes in the language of play, and is always in search of ways to make the difficult conversations more manageable. When it comes to therapy style, Aylesha likes to meet her clients where they are at in their journey. With that knowledge, she is able to help clients understand where they are and where they would like to go moving forward.
Aylesha may work more with children and adolescents, but she enjoys the wide range of clientele she has come across over the last few years. Ultimately, she appreciates the experiences had in the therapy room and knows that each person brings something new and unique to the therapeutic journey. So, there is no pressure on expectations in the room, because Aylesha wants the experience to be your own. With that foundation in the room, she will work alongside her clients by identifying problems and solutions; ultimately allowing her clients to create their own change.
Andrew Velez
LPC
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”-David Thoreau, Walden
Andrew Velez is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in working with children, teenagers, and adults, and is currently providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families.
A combat veteran, Andrew has served in and transitioned out of the military, and he is acutely familiar with the unique challenges presented to service members and their families while serving at home, abroad and through reintegration. He is no stranger to trauma and has experience helping people navigate anxiety and depression, stress, and grief, as well as issues with identity, self-esteem, and self-worth. He is also fluent in conflict resolution and career planning.
Following his military service, Andrew served as a youth pastor and senior pastor in Liberty County, Georgia, while pursuing his education through Liberty University in psychology and counseling. Completing his undergraduate work in 2017 and his graduate work in 2020, he holds his Bachelor of Science in Psychology with emphases in Christian Counseling, Crisis Counseling and Military Resilience and he holds his Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. His education is backed by over 22 years of combined experience, and he is passionate about helping people navigate the challenges in their lives.
Whether you are trying to move towards dreams and life goals, or just move towards tomorrow, advancement starts with just a small step. Initial steps are often challenging, and sometimes we become stuck because we don’t know which direction to step out in. Andrew believes that being rooted in your identity, values and purpose are key components to the healing process, or just moving forward, and he works with individuals and families to help them find and develop direction in their lives. While familiar with many types of therapy, Andrew mainly draws on Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, collaborating with his clients to help them move towards finding balance, healing, and restoration. He also provides Christian counseling for people who may be seeking those services (statement of faith available upon request).
Anita Trone
LAMFT
Anita graduated from Mercer University with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has experience in providing services to individuals, couples, and families. After serving twenty years in the Army, Anita understands firsthand the many challenges that are faced in our daily lives.
Anita enjoys serving by helping others to navigate through difficult situations and process those difficulties in a healthy manner. She strives to create a safe space so that others feel brave enough to share their most vulnerable experiences. Anita does not take her position for granted and is grateful for every opportunity that someone trusts her to hold space for them to express their most pressing matters. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, trauma, sleep issues, self-esteem, stress, establishing healthy boundaries, grief and loss, parenting, and couple and family communication.
Because we are all in different spaces and have different needs on this healing journey, Anita favors an eclectic approach utilizing techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy to assist in reaching the desired change.
Sarah Payne
LAMFT
Sarah is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA. She then earned a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, GA. Sarah has been in the mental health field more than ten years and has vast and varied experience working with a variety of populations and settings in the community, including those who struggle with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, family conflict, and trauma.
She has worked for the Department of Juvenile Justice, non-profit organizations, private hospitals, and private practice. Sarah has extensive work in crisis stabilization treating personality disorders, suicidality, and self-harm. She works with children (ages 4 and up), adults, families, and groups. Sarah utilizes evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy integrated with Narrative Therapy. She is also trained in Play Therapy techniques which she utilizes with little ones.
Katelyn Macneil
LAPC
“The only way out is through” – Robert Frost
Katelyn received both of her degrees here in Georgia! She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Middle Georgia State University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Thomas University. Katelyn is currently a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor which means she is under the supervision of a fully licensed clinician.
Katelyn has been in the field for several years gaining experience with teens and adults to help them cope with life stressors and maintain a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys working closely with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment issues, family conflict, and healthy boundary setting. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Katelyn’s previous clients would say that she brings a nice smile and a relatable, non-judgemental vibe to her sessions. When Katelyn is not in the office she enjoys golfing with her husband and playing with her fur baby!
Dana Gray
LMSW
“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
Dana Gray is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She is currently working towards her Doctorate of Social Work at Capella University. In 2022, she obtained her Masters of Social Work from Campbellsville University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration/Organization Management from Wiley Colley in 2016. She obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Logistics in 2014 from The Community College of the Air Force. In 2013, she graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor in General Studies and concentration of Psychology. Dana currently serves in the United States Air Force Reserves since June 2009. She served on active duty in the United States Air Force from June 2000 to June 2009.
Dana enjoys helping others to navigate through life experiences which may cause difficult and a disturbance in daily functioning. She has experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Dana also has experience working with children in various settings. As a veteran, Dana is knowledgeable and familiar with service members and their families’ challenges.
Dana’s therapy approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Holistic Therapy, Crisis Intervention Therapy, and Trauma Informed Therapy. Dana is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families overcome their challenges. Dana has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, marital problems, self-awareness, self-esteem, and other issues that affects daily functioning. Due to her military experiences, she has a wealth of knowledge and experiences.
“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
Quinten Oppong
LAMFT
I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with families, couples, individuals, children and adolescents. I am a double graduate of Mercer University and I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Sociology and then went on to pursue my graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, I am working towards full licensure in order to be fully licensed as an MFT.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” – Albert Eistein
I am an Italian – Ghanaian Immigrant and understands what it means to face uncertainty. At the age of 6 I immigrated here from West Africa and had to deal with all of life’s curveballs: parental divorce, adjusting to new culture, struggling, etc. However, I learned what it means to be resilient. Resilience takes vulnerability. Resilience takes courage; daring to face life’s problems and emotions head on and believing you will make it out on the other side. I understand what it is like to face life’s pressures and questions: what if I fail, and what if I will never be good enough? Feelings of failure, being trapped, suffering silently and everyone expecting you to be strong. If this is where you are, I understand and I am here to help.
Through several therapeutic tools I help
Adults discover new ways of dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, abandonment, grief, anger, and various other mental health issues. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy I help individuals identify the negative thought patterns that create negative emotions which lead to unhealthy ways of coping. Through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, I help individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm learn to manage their emotions and find alternatives to expressing their pain.
With Couples, I use Emotion Focused Couples Therapy to help them identify the places in their relationship where they feel alone, disconnected, and discontented. I assist them in learning to communicate in healthy and loving ways, and reversing negative cyclical patterns that keeps them stuck in the same issues.
With Children, I help identify root causes of their emotions, and I use Trauma Focused Behavioral Therapy to help them process the traumatic events that they have experienced and are afraid to share.
And finally with Families, I use Eco systemic Structural Family Therapy to empower parents by giving them the tools to reconnect with their children that are emotionally disconnected and establishing effective parenting skills to manage behavior.
Ultimately, regardless of who you are or your background. No matter how damaged you or your family may feel. My desire is that you feel and know that there is hope. As long as there is breath in your lungs there is hope. There is hope for a better future regardless of your past experiences or what your present looks like.
Dylan Blanco
LMSW
“The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.”- Brene Brown
Dylan is passionate when it comes to helping others work through addiction, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, grief and loss, communication issues in relationships, and fortifying personal identity and emotional connection. He has experience with providing services to adults, adolescents, and couples.
Dylan is skilled at creating a therapeutic environment that is supportive, non-judgmental, solution-focused and driven towards helping you find your personal happiness. Dylan draws from clinical evidence-based techniques, strength-based approaches and holistic approaches to help you accomplish your therapeutic goals.
Having had much experience working with adults in the addiction field and understanding the impact it has had on families, Dylan knows the importance of meeting the client where they are and guiding the therapeutic relationship at the pace needed for the individual to heal and grow from the hardships they are facing.
In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and spending time with his family. Dylan graduated from the University of Utah with a master’s in social work in 2022.
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