Our Counselors

Interns

Hope Counseling Centers are staffed by interns from Richmont Graduate University. Richmont students are highly trained and prepared to address whatever issues you may be facing. Interns are also supervised by licensed professionals. The rate for interns in $40 per session.
To schedule an appointment with an intern call (404) 266-0695 EXT. 6110

Staff

Hope Counseling also has Staff and Faculty who are licensed professionals that are available by appointment. Fees for service vary, and appointments can be made by contacting counselors directly at the numbers listed below.

Counselors

Vanessa Snyder, Ph.D.

Hope Center Director

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor

SPECIALIZATIONS

Individual, couples, and family therapy: sexual abused, complex trauma, dissociative disorders, same-sex issues, gender identity disorders, EMDR, compassion fatigue education.

Phone:404-835-6110

Sue Foster, M.S., Ed.S., LPC

COORDINATOR – HOPE COUNSELING CENTER AT WEST COBB
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

SPECIALIZATIONS

Family dynamics; anxiety; depression, grief, and loss; divorce; life transitions; spiritual issues.

My clinical experience includes working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with a M.S. and an Ed.S. in Community Counseling from Georgia State University. I also studied the integration of psychology and theology, earning a diploma in Christian Counseling. I believe reaching out for help is a sign of courage and strength. With gentleness and patience, I seek to create a safe place for people to tell their stories. I work with my clients to help them better understand themselves and to see new ways of looking at issues. I consider it an honor to work with people through the rough patches of life. Sue Foster, MS, EdS Licensed Professional Counselor 470.358.4956

phone:470-358-4956

email:sfoster@richmont.edu

Mary Plisco, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

SPECIALIZATIONS
Child, adolescent, and adult therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure with response prevention (E/RP), and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Phone:404-835-6135

Dan Sartor, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (GA & IL), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (IL), Nationally Certified Counselor

SPECIALIZATIONS
Individuals, couples, and group therapy: Trauma recovery, depression, anxiety, addictions recovery, sexuality issues, and faith/spirituality issues.

Phone:404-835-6149

Associate Counselors

Renee Bryan, M.Ed., M.A., LAPC

LICENSED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR, NATIONALLY CERTIFIED COUNSELOR COORDINATOR – HOPE COUNSELING CENTER AT RIVERSIDE

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Richmont Graduate University

SPECIALIZATIONS

Individuals and group therapy: Depression, anxiety, identity work, self-esteem, life transitions, grief, parenting, anger management, diversity; multicultural issues, spirituality, singleness, relationship issues, community education, and complex trauma.

Renee views counseling as a partnership where she walks alongside her clients on a journey together.  Along that journey, Renee creates a safe and respectful environment that allows her clients to tap into their strengths and develop a new level of self-awareness.  She also delights in creating a nonjudgmental, genuine, warm atmosphere which in turn promotes the process of growth, healing, and repair in the face of previous or current challenges.

Renee’s experiences have allowed her to work with women and men in both residential and transitional settings that are in recovery from addiction, domestic abuse, and homelessness.  She also enjoys working in private practice.  Her work on the mission field and in the field of education has also afforded her the opportunity to do effective work with families, children, and adolescents.

Renee perceives untapped potential in every person and tailors her therapeutic approach in order to assist her clients in setting achievable goals that are best suited to meet their specific needs.

phone:404-382-8942

email:rbryan@richmont.edu

Bethany Elmore, M.A.

COORDINATOR – HOPE COUNSELING CENTER AT THE EXCHANGE

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Certificate in Christian Sex Therapy from Richmont Graduate University

SPECIALIZATIONS

I enjoy working with young adults, families, and couples (dating, engaged, or married).  I particularly enjoy working with clients when it comes to identity, sex, and life transitions.  When it comes to life transitions, there can be a range of difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and grief to name a few.  Life, relationships, and just being a human, can be tough, and get more complicated when family of origin, past experiences, and different personalities come into the mix.  Another topic that is hard for clients to discuss is sex.  The complexities of sex can be hard to explore when it’s a topic that is not talked about enough.  I work at creating a comfortable environment to discuss sex, mental health, relationships, and life crises.

I use a variety of empirically supported approaches (i.e. Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral<, and Interpersonal theories) focused on skill implementation and processing experiences. I prefer to weave humor throughout these approaches, as it aids in diffusing one's self from thoughts, situations, and intense feelings that can sometimes cloud judgment and delay progress. 

When it comes to my work with couples I help them build a secure attachment or base as supported by the training of the Gottman Couple’s Therapy. I also believe that marriages need to start off with a firm foundation, and as such, I’ve become certified in Prepare-Enrich, designed for premarital counseling. This can be just the beginning of learning new skills and gaining the tools to help you live a life you’re proud of! 

email:belmore@richmont.edu

phone:678-697-0951

Deborah Midkiff, M.S., NCC

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor

SPECIALIZATIONS
Individual counseling: spiritual integration, belief change work, treatment of loss and grief, vocational and life transitions, women’s issues, anxiety, and depression.

Phone:678-616-1519

Hope Center Coordinators

Cheryl Snead

ASSISTANT TO THE DEAN OF CLINICAL AFFAIRS

email:csnead@richmont.edu

phone:404-835-6110

Rebecca Freeman, M.A.

COORDINATOR – HOPE COUNSELING CENTER CEDARCREST

email:rfreeman@richmont.edu

Lyresa McGriff, M.A., LAPC

COORDINATOR – HOPE COUNSELING CENTER AT WEST RIDGE

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Richmont Graduate University.  Licensed Associate Professional Counselor.  National Certified Counselor.

SPECIALIZATIONS

Individual’s (Adults), Couples, Veterans, Seniors as well as Adolescents (Ages 12-17).  PTSD/Trauma (EMDR intensively trained), Grief and Loss, Relationships and Marital Distress (Certified in Prepare-Enrich for Pre~Marital and Marital Counseling), Parenting/Blended Families, End of Life/Transitional Care, Caregiver Support, Life Skills/Coaching and Personal Growth.

Lyresa believes that everyone’s journey has a purpose and meets clients where they are with Grace, Love, and Hope.  Not relying on “One Size Fit All Therapy”, Lyresa integrates many skills and approaches in therapy in order to meet the needs of the client.  Her focus is on the Family System as well as Interpersonal Skills that assist in building a strong therapeutic alliance with the client.  This alliance creates an environment where the client can feel safe while navigating their journey to Mental Healing and Wellness. With a certificate in Trauma Counseling, Lyresa has also acquired the skillset of EMDR therapy which is highly regarded as a specialty treatment for trauma clients as well as those suffering from PTSD, grief and loss as well as abuse.

email:lmcgriff@richmont.edu