The Team
It's Nice To Meet You!
Austen Bingham
Founder & Clinical Director
Austen approaches counseling and psychotherapy with the basic understanding that all people are capable of change and transformation. With this in mind, he helps clients to create the life they want in a relaxing and understanding environment.
Austen earned a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Specialists in Professional Counseling and Supervision from the University of West Georgia. He is a licensed professional counselor with experience working in community mental health and university counseling centers. Austen provides counseling services for individuals experiencing anxiety and stress, depression, trauma, loneliness, relationship issues and other distressing issues that interfere with living a full and meaningful life. He works with adolescents (16 & up) as well as adults of all ages.
As an ally and an advocate for those living in Georgia, he is happy to provide counseling services to people of all backgrounds.
678-664-3434
Taimyr Strachan
Marriage & Family Specialist
Ph.D., LMFT
I believe that therapy is a collaborative process and should be unique to each client and their needs. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe and open environment in which clients can explore the narratives of their lives and become empowered to challenge ideals that keep them stuck in self-defeating patterns of behavior. I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and family systems. I also specialize in working with and improving the mental health of minority and marginalized emerging adults, specifically within our Black and LGBTQIA+ community members. I pride myself on being an ally and advocate so I can help you work towards the life you want.
678.664.3434 ext 701
Bethany Rakestraw
Associate Therapist
MA, APC, NCC
Welcome! My name is Bethany, and I am an Associate Therapist here to help with your life transitions and more. I received my education and degrees in Humanistic/Transpersonal Psychology, Professional Counseling, and Nonprofit/Community Development. I also have completed 400 hours in RYT yoga teacher training. I seek to be an ally for those in our community.
As a therapist, I will meet you where you are based on your own unique needs and situation, and help you develop the tools you need to move past any blockages that may be in your way. You will be considered holistically and compassionately, meaning all parts of you will be acknowledged and treated with kindness and respect. Please reach out when you need!
678.664.3434
Cassie Manley
Licensed Therapist
EdS, LPC, ACS
Hello! I look forward to working with you. I'm Cassie, and I am a licensed professional counselor that specializes in working with people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and distress in relationships. I have extensive experience in helping through evidence based practices, but ultimately, my goal is to work with you to find what tools and experiences will be beneficial and healing for you.
Also, as an approved clinical supervisor, I provide professional supervision for counselors and clinicians working towards licensure. I integrate multicultural and social justice orientations into my approach to counselor development so the clinicians I work with are prepared to work with people from all walks of life, identities and backgrounds.
678.664.3434
Robin Gordon
Associate Therapist
APC, MEd, NCC
When individuals experience trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. You may start noticing you're have a hard time focusing or falling asleep, or that you're feeling more anxious or depressed than usual. My great passion is bringing healing to people who have been through traumatic or stressful experiences. I help my clients, including adolescents and adults, find healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen their relationships to know themselves as peaceful, complete, whole, and safe.
As a therapist, I am aware all individuals have unique circumstances. Therefore, I will help meet your individual needs based on where you are struggling in life by using interventions best suited for you. As an ally and advocate for those in Georgia, I work with clients from all identities and backgrounds. I look forward to meeting with you.
If you are struggling to find your way to the life you want to be living then please feel free to reach out and see if I would be a good fit for working with you. I look forward to the opportunity of assisting you on your journey to your potential!
678.664.3434
Scarlett George
Associate Therapist
MEd, NCC
I believe the most fundamental thing to growth as an individual is empathy and understanding. Everyone has their own unique experiences, which I intend to use to empower the client, as well as being an ally and advocate for the LGBT+ community. I strive to utilize deep listening, and challenging the client by providing a new perspective to facilitate transformation in a safe environment. As an alumni from the University of West Georgia with a Master’s in Clinical Professional Counseling, I developed an approach of humanistic and person centered wholistic therapy. This looks like focusing on all of your inner experiences, your environment, and what makes you, you in mind, body, and spirit. During my bachelors, I minored in studio art which in combination with psychology helped shape how I approach therapy as a whole. I have practiced art therapy with clients in an inpatient setting and in private practice to help inspire them to think about their own mindfulness awareness as well as the awareness in others. This can help develop empathy, calm anxiety, as well as noticing and changing negative thoughts. We may use art in sessions like painting, drawing, writing, and music. It is possible to cultivate a creative perspective through art which can help you to see areas of growth through multiple different lenses and process experiences in more than just words. I strive to stay curious as we journey through anxiety, depression, identity development, grief, trauma, life transitions, low self-esteem, existential crisis and many more human experiences.
678.664.3434
Kellyn Purcell
Office Manager
Kellyn keeps The Counseling Collaborative running smoothly for our clients and clinicians. She manages the administrative operations, billing processes, and our practice inner workings.
678.664.3434
Cori Hart
Associate Therapist
Adolescence and early adulthood are a time of tremendous growth and self-awareness. Today’s teenagers and young adults are navigating a new world of obstacles and influence while trying to maintain their identity and values. Anxiety and depression are becoming more and more common, and young people need to know how to tap into their strengths and utilize their coping skills. As a mental health therapist, I work with adolescents and young adults to utilize their strengths to overcome challenges and grow into their own identity.
I specialize in working with middle and high school students and young adults. I utilize a holistic approach, using Cognitive-Behavioral, mindfulness, and dialectical behavioral techniques. I believe that addressing the root of the client’s problem while equipping them with skills and techniques is the ideal approach. In everything I do, I take a whole-person approach and focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship. I believe that healing takes place when clients feel seen and heard. I work closely with families of clients, as success in therapy is most likely when clients are surrounded by supportive adults and strong relationships.
678.664.3434
MEd, Professional School Counselor
LPC, EdS
Challenges related to depression, anxiety, ADHD and high-functioning autism can be difficult to say the least, but there are ways to work with these experiences to make it easier for you. I have experience working with clients who have multiple mental health issues and enjoy working with clients who are looking to manage and/or overcome the difficulties of these experiences.
My approach to counseling is eclectic but is firmly rooted in humanistic psychology - I value treating the whole person and drawing on a person’s innate strengths to help them heal. Also, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my work with clients. I like to get to know my clients on a very real level and be creative during our sessions.
Please feel free to reach out to my office at The Counseling Collaborative today to get started working towards the life you want.