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- Strengths-based approach
- Coaching and goal work
- Trauma and grief support
About Marla
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia with 14 years of experience, Marla Patterson helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, and mood concerns such as bipolar disorder and depression. She also supports clients facing relationship strain, parenting pressures, grief, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, career questions, intimacy issues, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Sessions are conducted in English. Marla uses a strengths-based outlook and practical coaching to address current problems and goals.
Marla focuses on what clients can do now. She identifies personal resources and builds on skills a person already has. Conversations cover real-life coping strategies, problem solving, and ways to reduce overwhelming feelings. The work often includes straightforward goal setting and short-term plans to handle immediate stressors.
Her style is collaborative and goal-oriented. She listens for patterns that get in the way and helps people try different ways of thinking and acting. When needed, sessions include work on grief, processing past harm, or addressing addictive behaviors with stepwise changes rather than abstract theory.
Marla’s practice treats parenting and relationship concerns from an individual perspective, helping each person clarify boundaries and communication habits. Coaching elements support career decisions and life transitions with concrete next steps. The emphasis stays on practical change that fits daily life.
To begin, people complete a brief questionnaire and schedule a first meeting. Marla uses a strengths-based framework and plain language during sessions to keep conversations direct and focused on what matters most.
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How evidence-based methods translate to online sessions
Marla uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clients' strengths and practical change. A strengths-based approach identifies personal resources and builds on them to handle stress, mood shifts, and daily demands. This method helps people apply what already works and develop new coping skills.She also integrates coaching-style work that breaks larger goals into concrete steps. Coaching is useful for career moves, parenting challenges, and short-term behavior changes such as reducing substance use or managing anger. For grief and trauma work she centers on paced processing and coping strategies suited to each person's tolerance.
Finding the right method is part of the process. Marla collaborates with each person to choose approaches that match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts the plan over time and uses straightforward language to explain options so clients can decide what feels practical.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when needed. Phone sessions can require less bandwidth and be simpler for quick updates, while video sessions allow visual cues and a fuller conversational experience. Licensed professionals aim to match format and pace to what helps a person engage with the work.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Georgia
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship and parenting issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, ADHD, career and compassion fatigue.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a strengths-based, practical approach that focuses on resources, skills, and clear goals. Sessions emphasize problem solving and actionable steps.
How much experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor working in behavioral and mental health settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) licensed in Georgia and offers services from that location.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she see clients outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.