The Neighborhood Counseling Center

a home for mindfulness and wellbeing in intown Atlanta

You are welcome here. No matter the difficult moments that bring you to counseling—no matter how depressed, anxious, grief-stricken, confused, ashamed, rageful, uncertain, sad, or fearful you are—we are here for you. We are here to help you through to the other side. We are here to remind you of who you are and to help you discover what matters most and how to live your truths. We are here to help you to feel free to find yourself—your authentic self—for the first time. We welcome you as you are.

Nestled in the intown Atlanta neighborhood of Kirkwood, we’re a community of mindfulness-based psychotherapists who specialize in supporting you on a path toward better health and well-being. We can help you be more mindful, figure out why you do what you do (and make new choices), grow your capacity for self-compassion, change damaging patterns, increase wise decision-making, tackle anxiety and depression, heal from past difficulties and traumas, grieve what needs to be grieved, and grow into more authentic and satisfying connections with yourself and the world around you.

We strongly affirm and work so that our practice is a safe and welcoming place for people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, religious minorities, women, people of all genders, people of all abilities and ages, survivors, and all who desire constructive help or change.

Sound good?

That’s why we’re here. We know the rest of your life can be better than what it is now. We know life can be easier and you shouldn’t have to hide your true self to find acceptance or love (from yourself or anyone else). We want to meet you. We want to help.

And just to be as clear as possible…

Whoever you are and however you are showing up here today, you are welcome here. ALL of you.

Dana Goldman, LPC, NCC, CPCS

psychotherapist + meditation teacher

I work with: adults, families, couples, teens, and the smattering of older kids.

Main issues my clients deal with: anxiety, grief, depression, perfectionism, relationship challenges, and self-loathing. My clients describe me as: gentle, focused, patient, safe, empathetic, and compassionate. A few things you wouldn't know about me just from looking: I'm in an interfaith family and have studied and learned with Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and atheist communities. I'm an introvert who loves community and a bicycle commuter. Oh, and I have a mega sweet tooth.

Elizabeth Wilder Young, LCSW

psychotherapist + meditation teacher

I work with: individual adults, young adults, couples, mothers & folks interested in mindfulness & meditation.

Main issues my clients deal with: stress, anxiety, and overwhelm; growing in self-awareness & self-compassion; identifying purpose & passion; improving relationships (with partners, friends & family)My clients describe me as: warm, approachable, gentle, non-judgmental and supportive. A few things you might not know about me from looking at me: I have two little kids who are my greatest joys and my greatest teachers in life. I have seen hundreds of live music shows, and I spent time living in Tanzania years ago and (at least used to) speak Swahili!

Maggie Akstin, MA, LPC

psychotherapist

I work with: adults of all ages with a focus on young adults, queer folks, trans folks and others who may not abide squarely at one end or the other of a gender binary. I work with people in nontraditional romantic, sexual, and domestic relationships.

Main issues my clients deal with: anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, existential and vocational concerns, relationship struggles and questions, and life transitions.My clients describe me as: attentive, open, accepting, and down to earth.A few things you wouldn't know about me just from looking: I made my living growing vegetables for several years and I once rode my bike across the Florida Everglades.

Emily Gosterisli, PhD, LCSW

psychotherapist

I work with: Adults and young adults, mothers/ parents, college/ graduate students, individuals interested in mindfulness and self compassion.

Main issues my clients deal with: anxiety, depression, perfectionism and critical inner voice, life transitions, grief, and relationship and family challengesMy clients describe me as: kind, nurturing, compassionate, non-judgmentalA few things you wouldn't know about me just from looking: I am a mother of three young children and my family is bicultural/bilingual Turkish American. I love the woods and the water and I am so fascinated by dolphins I went to adult “dolphin camp” to study (and swim with!) them before graduate school.

Tara Lozano, LPC

psychotherapist

I work with: adults, teens, parents/caregivers, and families.

Main issues my clients deal with: anxiety/overwhelm, feelings of inadequacy or “not good enough,” longing to connect more deeply with self and with others, fertility problems, substance use/abuse concerns for teens and adults. My clients describe me as: warm, genuine, curious, and approachable. A few things you wouldn’t know about me just from looking: I have 2 young children, I deeply value my meditation practice and time in nature, and I have an extensive inner catalog of camp songs from my 20-year connection to being a camp counselor/director/campfire leader.