Marielle Stair (She/Her)

Founder
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Trauma-Informed Somatic Coach

Marielle specializes in supporting individuals and relationships to navigate the complex outcomes of devastating, traumatic experiences that can occur over the lifespan of a person or relationship. Through this journey, she supports her clients to rediscover their identity, their sense of self, and expressions of that self. She has a passion for serving those who have experienced violence and marginalization related to sexual and gender identity, and has a special interest in working with LGB+, Queer, and Transgender communities and relationships.

Clients come to her with experiences of racial and ethnic marginalization and displacement, acculturation and resettlement stress, and histories of surviving mental, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological violence. This includes experiences of military combat, moral injury, and violence and marginalization related to sexual identity, interpersonal power dynamics, and expressions of gender.

Marielle is also a Trauma-Informed Somatic Coach. She draws from her experience as a trauma therapist to help her clients achieve specific life goals, and overcome mental blocks to personal and professional growth in functional and sustainable ways.

Marielle uses person centered, humanistic, and embodiment lenses in her approach to working with Trauma, both as a psychotherapist and a Somatic Coach. She uses evidence-based techniques that draw from the body of research on behavior, mindfulness, cognitive, recovery-oriented, spiritual, somatic, and harm reduction psychotherapies.

“My goal is to support you to heal. To help you learn that healing is dynamic. That it grows, changes, and moves with you. And to help you develop a sense of agency and capacity to choose your own path in this life.”

Danica Ligato-Riding (She/Her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

The development of Dani’s clinical focus has been influenced by an integrative therapeutic approach. She believes that in order for a person to achieve personal goals, understanding one’s life story and subjective experiences is paramount.

Dani’s clinical experience started at Mercer University in Atlanta with a Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since 2016, her experience has been primarily in substance use treatment, mandated & court-ordered counseling, treatment of behavioral issues and mood disorders, inpatient residential treatment, trauma, and co-occurring disorders.

Dani uses an integrative therapeutic approach. She believes in the value of self-awareness, our own truths, and unique life stories. She encourages her clients to learn that we possess an intrinsic power to explore ourselves and transform our actions, maximizing change and increasing hope. That in order for an individual to achieve personal goals, understanding their life story and subjective experiences is paramount.

“I am a living story. I will not give up.” – TWLOHA

Dani provides bilingual individual counseling services in English and Spanish. Her work covers mental health and substance use.

“Our stories and experiences belong to us; they matter. I will support you, as you discover your story.”

Jeanie Witcraft Shiau (She/Her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Jeanie enjoys working with individuals, and intimate and/or family relationships. She works with a wide range of mental health crises, mood, behavioral, and trauma symptoms.

Jeanie’s clinical niche is working with individuals and families who have sustained Perinatal and Postpartum mental, physical, and medical trauma. Her passion is Perinatal Mental Health.

Since mental illness can present differently during and after pregnancy, it needs to be handled with specialized skills. As a Trauma clinician, Jeanie assists parents and their families during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Her work also addresses the complexities of grief and loss that can occur for individuals and families navigating fertility, pregnancy, and birthing processes.

Jeanie uses experiential and cognitive behavioral therapies in treating the impact of trauma. She helps her clients develop sustainable behaviors for physical and mental wellbeing.

“This is what I provide: a safe, supportive environment, and a space where you will gain a better understanding of yourself, and build a foundation of practical self-care so you can better weather what life brings.”

Tara Lamb (She/Her)

Administrative Coordinator

My name is Tara and I help Athens Counseling & Psychotherapy, LLC with a variety of administrative tasks like client communication, insurance eligibility, billing, and appointment management. While you may not meet me in-person, I am always a phone call away to help you with any of your scheduling or billing needs. 

When I’m not working, you will most likely find me hanging out at home with my husband, two dogs, and two cats. I love hiking, camping, and all things outdoors and also enjoy yoga and baking.