Think Well. Feel Well. Be Well.
Danielle Evans, 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.
Jeannie 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. Jeannie 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.
ANNI SKURJA, LMFT
You are not broken, nor damaged, nor are you alone.
Anni Skurja is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) who graduated from Mercer University with a Master’s in MFT in 2018. She received a Bachelor of Arts and 4 Associate of Arts in Psychology from Fort Valley State University (2016) and Gordon State College (2013). Anni is certified in Prime Solutions for individuals and groups. Anni practices with a blend of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Narrative Therapy, and often uses techniques from Mindfulness Therapy and Art Therapy.
Anni has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, as well as couples and families. With couples, Anni uses Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Gottman Therapy. She uses her own struggles and adversity to connect with genuine empathy and authenticity while recognizing that each person’s experiences are different. From the first session, she is direct and honest about what to expect from therapy and encourages the client to share their expectations for the process as she recognizes that therapy can be an overwhelming process.
During our lives, we often experience emotional pain and adversity that leaves us feeling hopeless, powerless, or directionless. We might feel we are broken and need to be ‘fixed’. Therapy provides a path towards understanding ourselves more and increasing skills that can help us feel more able to handle difficult experiences and find growth. It helps us realize that we can find peace in the parts of life we do not like so that the parts that we love can shine. It is about finding acceptance in the uncomfortable times, and in being and becoming more of our unique selves.
Michael Williamson, LMFT
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
Michael Williamson is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)- he graduated from Mercer University with his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) in 2018. He also graduated from Middle Georgia State University in 2015 with his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Michael’s experience is derived from numerous settings that include inpatient as well as outpatient. His background has included individual, couples, and family therapy as well as ranging from adolescents to adults from diverse backgrounds. Michael is also a mental health professional who has experience and familiarity with the challenges members of the LGBTQ community face, whether for issues associated with one’s sexual, romantic, or gender identity, or for concerns related to mental health.
Michael aims to use a number of client-centered techniques that best suit his clients’ needs. These techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Michael uses these psychotherapy techniques, as well as other therapies, to help his clients foster a sense of relief and achieve their goals.
Michael is passionate about helping his clients work through issues such as depression, anxiety, family conflict, relationship issues, grief and loss, identity or existential issues, and career conflicts. In every encounter, Michael seeks to understand what his clients want out of life, and then help them to pursue those objectives. Michael aims to provide a safe space for clients to feel their emotions, look at their stories, explore different perspectives, challenge unhelpful patterns, and cultivate more positive changes for their lives. For Michael, being human is not about discovering who we are, but rather creating who we are. He believes that by collaborating therapeutically with his clients, he can help them experience a deeper understanding of themselves, identify their own unique voice, and craft more fulfilling relationships.
Irwin Rutherford, MS, LPC
We all have the capability to change our lives by changing our thoughts and perspectives with challenges we encounter daily.
Irwin’s goal is to inspire and help each client strive to become the best version of themselves by making lasting changes within their lives. This best version includes emotional, physical, and mental well-being. He has extensive experience in providing quality services with a wide variety of adult/adolescent clientele, of whom he helps deal with multiple life issues and mental health needs.
Irwin’s professional experience includes work with the Department of Juvenile Justice where he provided therapy for at-risk youth and their families. He currently provides therapy for college students as well as helps them deal with issues from anxiety, depression, and poor relationship skill building.
