New Clients
Begin Your Counseling Journey at Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta
Taking the first step toward counseling can bring up many different emotions. You may feel hopeful, nervous, uncertain, or even unsure whether therapy is right for you.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
At Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta, we provide a thoughtful, caring, and supportive environment where individuals, couples, children, teenagers, and families can feel heard and begin working toward meaningful change. Our therapists will take the time to understand your experiences, concerns, and goals so that counseling can be personalized to your needs.
Whether you are experiencing anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma, ADHD, OCD, addiction, stress, grief, or a challenging life transition, we are here to help you take the next step.
Counseling Services for New Clients
Our therapists provide counseling for a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relationship concerns.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling provides a private and supportive place to process emotions, understand patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and work toward your personal goals.
Our therapists support individuals experiencing concerns such as:
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Anxiety, stress, and excessive worry
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Depression and low motivation
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Trauma and painful past experiences
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OCD and intrusive thoughts
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ADHD and executive functioning challenges
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Addiction and substance use
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Grief and loss
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Low self-esteem
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Burnout and emotional exhaustion
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Relationship difficulties
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Identity development
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Major life transitions
Couples and Relationship Counseling
Relationship counseling can help couples improve communication, resolve recurring conflicts, rebuild trust, establish healthier boundaries, and develop a stronger sense of connection.
You do not have to wait until your relationship is in crisis to begin counseling. Some couples seek therapy to address a specific concern, while others want to strengthen an already healthy relationship or prepare for an upcoming transition.
We also offer premarital counseling for couples preparing for marriage. Premarital counseling can provide an opportunity to strengthen communication, discuss expectations, navigate differences, and build a healthy foundation for your life together.
Child and Adolescent Therapy
Children and teenagers do not always communicate emotional struggles in the same ways adults do. Their concerns may appear through changes in behavior, mood, academic performance, sleep, friendships, or family relationships.
Our child and adolescent therapists create developmentally appropriate environments where younger clients can express themselves, strengthen emotional awareness, and develop healthy coping skills.
Dianna Briggs Morse, LCSW, RPT, our Director of Child and Adolescent Therapy, is a Registered Play Therapist who specializes in working with children, teens, and young adults. For younger children, Dianna utilizes approaches including Child-Centered Play Therapy and Synergetic Play Therapy, providing children with a developmentally appropriate way to express themselves, process emotions, develop coping skills, and work through difficult experiences.
When appropriate, therapists also collaborate with parents and caregivers to support progress outside of counseling sessions.
What to Expect as a New Client
Starting counseling should not feel confusing or overwhelming. Here is what you can generally expect when beginning services with Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta.
1. Request an Appointment
Begin by selecting the “Schedule an Appointment” button and completing the new-client request form.
You will be asked to provide basic information about yourself, the type of counseling you are seeking, and your availability. Sharing a brief description of what brings you to counseling can help us determine which therapist may be the best fit for your needs.
You may also call our main office at 404-777-5302 and leave a voicemail for the therapist you are interested in working with. Your prospective therapist can follow up with you regarding availability and next steps.
2. Connect With a Therapist
Your request will be reviewed based on your counseling needs, scheduling preferences, and therapist availability.
Because every therapist has different areas of experience, approaches, and personalities, finding the right therapeutic fit is an important part of the process. You can also review our provider biographies to learn more about each therapist before requesting an appointment.
2A. Schedule a Free 15-Minute Initial Consultation
If you would like an opportunity to connect before scheduling your first full counseling session, we offer a free 15-minute initial consultation.
This brief consultation gives you an opportunity to speak with a prospective therapist, share what you are looking for in counseling, ask initial questions, and get a better sense of whether the therapist may be a good fit for your needs.
3. Complete Your New-Client Forms
Before your first session, you may receive forms through our secure Client Portal. These forms help your therapist learn more about your history, current concerns, goals, and other information that may be relevant to your care.
Completing your paperwork before the appointment allows you and your therapist to use more of your first session discussing what brought you to counseling.
4. Attend Your First Session
Your first appointment is an opportunity for you and your therapist to begin getting to know one another.
Your therapist may ask about:
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What led you to seek counseling
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The concerns currently affecting your life
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Important personal or family history
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Previous counseling experiences
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Your strengths and support system
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What you hope to accomplish through therapy
You are not expected to share everything immediately. Trust develops over time, and your therapist will work to create a pace that feels safe and appropriate for you.
Together, you and your therapist can begin identifying your goals and developing a counseling plan tailored to your needs.
In-Person and Online Counseling
Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta offers both in-person and virtual counseling, depending on the therapist and the needs of the client.
Our office is located at:
Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta
1827 Powers Ferry Road
Building 25, Suite 210
Atlanta, GA 30339
Our Northwest Atlanta location is convenient to Smyrna, Vinings, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and other surrounding Metro Atlanta communities.
Virtual counseling offers an additional level of convenience for eligible clients who prefer to meet with their therapist remotely. Telehealth availability may vary by therapist, client age, location, and clinical needs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I schedule my first appointment?
Select the “Schedule Now” button and complete the secure new-client request form. Provide as much information as you comfortably can about the type of counseling you are seeking and your preferred availability.
You may also call our office at 404-777-5302 and leave a voicemail for the therapist you are interested in working with.
After your request is received, you will be contacted regarding therapist availability and the next steps in the scheduling process.
How do I know which therapist is right for me?
Each therapist has different areas of specialization, clinical experience, therapeutic approaches, and availability. You can visit our Providers page to learn more about each member of our team.
When submitting your request, describe the primary concerns you would like to address. This information can help determine which therapist may be best suited to support you.
You may also take advantage of a free 15-minute initial consultation to speak with a prospective therapist, ask questions, and determine whether they may be a good fit.
What happens during the first counseling session?
The first session generally focuses on getting to know you, discussing what brought you to counseling, reviewing relevant history, and identifying your initial goals.
You may also have an opportunity to ask questions about your therapist’s approach and what future sessions may look like. You do not need to prepare a speech or know exactly what to say. Your therapist will help guide the conversation.
How long are counseling sessions?
Most standard counseling appointments are approximately 50 minutes. Session length may differ depending on the service, therapist, or specific needs of the client.
How frequently will I attend counseling?
Many clients begin with weekly appointments, but the recommended frequency will depend on your needs, goals, availability, and therapist’s clinical recommendations.
As you make progress, you and your therapist may discuss meeting less frequently. There is no universal timeline because every client and counseling experience is different.
Do you offer virtual counseling?
Yes, virtual counseling is available for eligible clients, depending on clinician availability and the type of service needed.
Because professional licensing requirements generally depend on the client’s physical location at the time of an appointment, please confirm your eligibility for telehealth when scheduling.
Do you work with children and teenagers?
Yes. Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta provides counseling for children and adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioral, academic, social, and family-related challenges.
Our Director of Child and Adolescent Therapy, Dianna Briggs Morse, LCSW, RPT, is a Registered Play Therapist who specializes in working with children, teens, and young adults. She utilizes Child-Centered Play Therapy and Synergetic Play Therapy with younger clients when appropriate.
The therapist may involve parents or caregivers in portions of the counseling process when clinically appropriate. The level of caregiver involvement will depend on the child’s age, needs, treatment goals, and privacy considerations.
Do you provide couples counseling?
Yes. Our therapists provide relationship counseling for couples who want to improve communication, address conflict, rebuild trust, navigate life transitions, or strengthen their connection.
We also offer premarital counseling for couples who want to strengthen communication, explore expectations, and build a healthy foundation as they prepare for marriage.
Individual counseling is also available for people who want to better understand their personal relationship patterns.
What concerns do your therapists treat?
Our therapists work with clients experiencing a variety of concerns, including anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, addiction, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, stress, grief, low self-esteem, family conflict, and major life transitions.
Because each therapist has different specialties, please review our provider biographies or contact us for assistance identifying an appropriate therapist.
Do you accept insurance?
Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta is an out-of-network counseling practice and does not bill insurance companies directly. Depending on your plan, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Upon request, we may provide documentation that you can submit to your insurance company.
We recommend contacting your insurer directly to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.
How much does counseling cost?
Session fees vary depending on the therapist, service, and appointment length. Standard rates for each therapist are available on their individual provider page, and many of our therapists offer sliding-scale options.
We also have an intern who can meet with clients at a significantly reduced rate, providing an additional option for clients seeking more affordable counseling services.
Please contact our office or review the scheduling portal for current rates. Payment is generally due at the time services are provided.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that unexpected circumstances happen. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice. Appointments canceled outside the required notice period may be subject to a late-cancellation fee.
Is counseling confidential?
Protecting your privacy is an important part of the therapeutic relationship. Information discussed in counseling is generally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.
However, therapists may be legally or ethically required to disclose information in certain circumstances, including situations involving an immediate risk of serious harm, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, older adult, or other vulnerable person, or a valid court order. Your therapist will review confidentiality and its limitations with you before beginning services.
What happens if my therapist does not feel like the right fit?
A strong relationship with your therapist can be an important part of effective counseling. Sometimes a therapist and client may not feel like the right match, even when both people have approached the process thoughtfully.
You are encouraged to discuss any concerns with your therapist. When appropriate, we can help you explore other options or determine whether another provider may be a better fit.
How long will I need to be in counseling?
The length of counseling depends on your concerns, goals, history, progress, and the type of treatment you receive. Some clients attend therapy for a relatively short period to address a specific issue, while others benefit from longer-term support.
Your therapist can periodically review your progress with you and discuss whether your counseling plan should be continued or adjusted.
Is Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta available for emergencies?
Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta is an outpatient counseling practice and does not provide emergency or crisis-response services.
The scheduling system, voicemail, email, and Client Portal should not be used during an emergency. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
For mental health crisis support, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Georgia residents may also contact the Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225.
Additional information and crisis resources are available through the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Crisis System in Georgia page:
https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/crisis-system-georgia
You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone
Beginning counseling can feel vulnerable, but it can also be the beginning of greater understanding, healing, and emotional wellness.
You do not need to wait until everything becomes unmanageable. You also do not need to know exactly what is wrong or what kind of help you need before reaching out. Our therapists are here to listen, understand your story, and help you identify meaningful next steps.
Contact Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta today to request an appointment and begin your counseling journey.
Already a client?
Cornerstone Counseling of Atlanta
1827 Powers Ferry Road
Building 25, Suite 210
Atlanta, GA 30339
404-777-5302
info@cornerstonecounselingatl.com