Counseling Services
Transformative counseling in Lawrenceville, GA and virtually for clients across Georgia.
INDIVIDUAL therapy
50 minute session
In counseling, we go beyond surface-level symptoms to explore the deeper roots of your thoughts, behaviors, and emotional patterns. Together, we work to process past experiences, regulate your nervous system, and heal unresolved trauma so you can move forward with greater clarity and ease.
Our work is focused on creating meaningful, lasting change in how you experience yourself, your relationships, and your daily life. Sessions are thoughtfully tailored to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based approaches that support both emotional integration and personal growth.
I offer a space that is grounded, nonjudgmental, and welcoming. You are encouraged to come exactly as you are. At the same time, I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative and active. We will set intentional goals, and I will encourage you to practice the skills and insights we explore between sessions. Growth requires engagement, and I will gently hold you accountable in a way that is supportive, respectful, and aligned with your pace.
Who is a good fit for counseling at North Star Counseling Collective?
You may be a good fit for my practice if you are someone who is ready to look beneath the surface and engage in meaningful, intentional work. Many of the clients I work with feel stuck in patterns they don’t fully understand, are carrying unresolved trauma, or are navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or a sense of disconnection from themselves or their purpose.
My approach tends to work best for individuals and couples who are open to self-reflection, curious about their inner world, and willing to actively participate in the therapeutic process. Therapy here is not passive. It involves building awareness, practicing new skills, and applying insights outside of sessions in order to create lasting change.
If you value a space that is supportive, nonjudgmental, and deeply respectful of your autonomy, while also appreciating gentle guidance, structure, and accountability, this work may be a strong fit for you.
How long does therapy last?
The length of therapy looks different for each person and depends on your goals, history, and the season of life you are in. My intention is to support you in building the tools, insight, and emotional resilience needed so that you do not feel dependent on therapy to function or move forward.
Some clients come for focused, shorter-term work, while others choose to engage in therapy more consistently over time. There is no one “right” timeline, our work is always paced intentionally and collaboratively.
I view therapy as a resource you can return to as needed. Whether we work together for a defined period or check in periodically over the years, I am here to support you as life evolves and new layers of growth or challenge arise.
How frequently do we meet?
Session frequency is based on your needs, goals, and current life circumstances. In most cases, I recommend starting with weekly or biweekly sessions, especially if you are navigating acute stress, emotional distress, or working through trauma. This consistency helps establish a strong therapeutic foundation and supports meaningful progress early on.
As symptoms stabilize and goals are met, many clients choose to transition to monthly sessions or periodic check-ins. You are always welcome to pause therapy at any point and return when the timing feels right. Therapy is meant to support your life, not add pressure to it.
To build a strong therapeutic relationship and create momentum, I generally recommend beginning therapy when you are able to meet at least twice per month. This level of consistency allows us to stay connected, track progress, and work toward your goals more efficiently and effectively.
What is your approach?
My approach to counseling is integrative, trauma-informed, and rooted in an understanding of how the nervous system, past experiences, and internal patterns shape the way we think, feel, and relate. Rather than working from a single model, I thoughtfully weave together several evidence-based approaches to support healing, resilience, and meaningful personal growth.
At the foundation of my work is an understanding of the nervous system informed by polyvagal theory. We focus on helping your body feel safer and more regulated so that emotional work can unfold in a grounded and sustainable way. From there, I often incorporate Internal Family Systems, a parts-based and inner child work approach, to help you better understand and care for the different aspects of yourself that may be holding pain, protection, or unmet needs.
When trauma or deeply rooted negative self-beliefs are present, I integrate EMDR to support the processing and integration of unresolved experiences. This allows the nervous system to release what no longer serves you and opens space for new, more adaptive ways of relating to yourself and the world.
I also draw from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which emphasizes developing awareness of your thoughts and emotions while aligning your actions with your values. This work helps translate insight into real-life change, guiding you toward becoming the person you want to be rather than remaining stuck in old patterns.
The overall goal of therapy is not just symptom relief, but increased resilience, self-trust, and positive transformation. Together, we work toward healing what needs attention while intentionally building a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and authentic to you.
COUPLES therapy
50 to 90 minute session
Couples therapy is a space for partners in committed relationships to come together and explore challenges within the context of the relationship itself. Therapy offers an opportunity to create intentional time together, understand one another more deeply, and address patterns that may be creating distance or conflict.
Common reasons couples seek therapy include difficulty communicating effectively, feeling emotionally disconnected, navigating differences around intimacy, or adjusting to life transitions that place strain on the relationship. In our work together, we focus not only on resolving current concerns, but also on strengthening emotional safety, improving connection, and building tools that support long-term relational health.
Who is a good fit for couples therapy?
Couples therapy at North Star is a good fit for partners who are willing to look honestly at their relational patterns and take shared responsibility for change. Many of the couples I work with feel disconnected, stuck in repetitive conflict, or unsure how to move forward together, yet still have a desire to understand one another more deeply and rebuild trust or connection.
This work tends to be most effective for couples who are open to slowing down, practicing new ways of communicating, and engaging actively both in and outside of sessions. Even when the relationship feels strained or uncertain, a willingness to show up with curiosity, accountability, and respect creates the foundation for meaningful progress.
Who is not a good fit for couples therapy?
Couples therapy may not be a fit if one or both partners are unwilling to participate in the process, take responsibility for their role in relational dynamics, or engage in self-reflection. Therapy is not designed to determine who is “right” or to place blame, but rather to increase understanding and foster change.
This work may also not be appropriate in situations where there is ongoing emotional, physical, or psychological abuse, or where one partner is seeking therapy primarily to control, convince, or coerce the other. In these cases, individual support or alternative resources may be more appropriate before engaging in couples work.
How long does couples therapy last?
The length of couples therapy depends on your goals, the challenges you are facing, and how engaged both partners are in the process. Some couples seek short-term relationship counseling to address a specific concern or life transition, while others benefit from longer-term work to improve communication, rebuild trust, or strengthen emotional connection.
My goal in couples therapy is to help you develop the skills, insight, and emotional awareness needed to navigate your relationship more effectively, without becoming dependent on therapy. We will regularly assess progress and adjust the pace of our work so it remains intentional, focused, and aligned with your goals.
Many couples choose to pause therapy once their goals are met and return for occasional check-ins during new seasons of stress or growth. Couples therapy is designed to be a supportive resource you can return to as your relationship evolves.
What is your approach?
My approach to couples therapy is integrative, relational, and attachment-based. Rather than relying on a single model, I draw from evidence-based and experiential practices to help couples understand their patterns, improve communication, and rebuild emotional connection.
Our work focuses on increasing awareness of how each partner’s internal world, past experiences, and emotional responses show up in the relationship. I often incorporate mindfulness and parts-based work to support emotional regulation, reduce reactivity, and create space for more thoughtful, intentional responses.
A central part of couples therapy involves developing practical relational skills. This includes strengthening assertive and reflective communication, increasing empathy and emotional attunement, and learning how to navigate conflict in ways that feel respectful and constructive. Emotionally focused therapy is foundational to the work I do.
We also explore shared values, beliefs, and long-term vision so the relationship can move forward with greater clarity and alignment. My role is not to take sides or determine who is “right,” but to guide both partners toward deeper understanding, accountability, and sustainable change, both within the relationship and beyond therapy.
EMDR intensives
90 to 180 minute session
EMDR intensives offer a focused, immersive approach to healing that allows you to do deeper work in a shorter period of time. Rather than spreading sessions out over many months, intensives create extended space to process unresolved experiences, reduce emotional distress, and integrate insight in a more contained and intentional way.
This format can be especially helpful if you feel stuck despite prior therapy, are navigating a specific traumatic experience, or prefer to dedicate concentrated time to your healing rather than weekly sessions. Our work together is thoughtfully paced, somatic-informed, and grounded in nervous system regulation, ensuring the process feels supported, not overwhelming.
EMDR intensives are collaborative and intentional. We move at a pace that respects your system while allowing enough continuity for meaningful progress and integration.
EMDR is only offered by trained therapists and limited to the state they practice in. At this time, I am only offering EMDR to individuals living in the state of Georgia, where I am licensed.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-supported therapy that helps the brain process and integrate difficult experiences that may still be affecting how you feel, think, or respond today.
Through guided attention and bilateral stimulation, EMDR allows the nervous system to release what it has been holding onto, so past events no longer carry the same emotional weight. Many people find that this process brings greater clarity, emotional balance, and a renewed sense of peace.
Who are EMDR intensives best suited for?
EMDR intensives are often a good fit for individuals who feel ready to engage in deeper trauma work and want a more focused approach than traditional weekly therapy. This may include people who have experienced single-incident trauma, long-standing emotional patterns, or who feel “stuck” despite insight and prior counseling.
Intensives are ideal for the busy mom or working professional that does not have time to do weekly therapy but would like to experience a transformation in a shorter time period.
How is an EMDR intensive different from weekly EMDR therapy?
The primary difference is the structure and pacing. EMDR intensives involve longer, extended sessions over a shorter period of time, allowing for greater continuity and depth. This format can reduce the stop-and-start feeling some clients experience with weekly sessions and can support deeper processing with fewer interruptions.
That said, intensives are not about rushing. The work is still carefully paced and grounded in regulation, with space built in for preparation and integration.
What does an EMDR intensive look like?
Each EMDR intensive is customized to your needs. Prior to the intensive, we spend time assessing readiness, identifying goals, and preparing your nervous system for the work. The intensive itself may take place over one or multiple days, depending on what is clinically appropriate.
Afterward, we focus on integration—helping you make sense of what was processed and supporting you as changes settle into daily life. Follow-up sessions or check-ins can be scheduled as needed.
Will an EMDR intensive be overwhelming?
A common concern is that doing deeper work in a concentrated format may feel too intense. My priority throughout the process is safety, regulation, and respect for your system. EMDR does not require reliving experiences in detail, and we continually monitor pacing to ensure the work remains contained and supportive.
You remain in control throughout the process. If at any point slowing down or pausing is needed, we do so. Healing is most effective when it feels grounded and integrated—not forced.
SEX therapy
50 to 90 minute session
Couples therapy is a space for partners in committed relationships to come together and explore challenges within the context of the relationship itself. Therapy offers an opportunity to create intentional time together, understand one another more deeply, and address patterns that may be creating distance or conflict.
Common reasons couples seek therapy include difficulty communicating effectively, feeling emotionally disconnected, navigating differences around intimacy, or adjusting to life transitions that place strain on the relationship. In our work together, we focus not only on resolving current concerns, but also on strengthening emotional safety, improving connection, and building tools that support long-term relational health.
Who is a good fit for couples therapy?
Couples therapy at North Star is a good fit for partners who are willing to look honestly at their relational patterns and take shared responsibility for change. Many of the couples I work with feel disconnected, stuck in repetitive conflict, or unsure how to move forward together, yet still have a desire to understand one another more deeply and rebuild trust or connection.
This work tends to be most effective for couples who are open to slowing down, practicing new ways of communicating, and engaging actively both in and outside of sessions. Even when the relationship feels strained or uncertain, a willingness to show up with curiosity, accountability, and respect creates the foundation for meaningful progress.
Who is not a good fit for couples therapy?
Couples therapy may not be a fit if one or both partners are unwilling to participate in the process, take responsibility for their role in relational dynamics, or engage in self-reflection. Therapy is not designed to determine who is “right” or to place blame, but rather to increase understanding and foster change.
This work may also not be appropriate in situations where there is ongoing emotional, physical, or psychological abuse, or where one partner is seeking therapy primarily to control, convince, or coerce the other. In these cases, individual support or alternative resources may be more appropriate before engaging in couples work.
How long does couples therapy last?
The length of couples therapy depends on your goals, the challenges you are facing, and how engaged both partners are in the process. Some couples seek short-term relationship counseling to address a specific concern or life transition, while others benefit from longer-term work to improve communication, rebuild trust, or strengthen emotional connection.
My goal in couples therapy is to help you develop the skills, insight, and emotional awareness needed to navigate your relationship more effectively, without becoming dependent on therapy. We will regularly assess progress and adjust the pace of our work so it remains intentional, focused, and aligned with your goals.
Many couples choose to pause therapy once their goals are met and return for occasional check-ins during new seasons of stress or growth. Couples therapy is designed to be a supportive resource you can return to as your relationship evolves.
What is your approach?
My approach to couples therapy is integrative, relational, and attachment-based. Rather than relying on a single model, I draw from evidence-based and experiential practices to help couples understand their patterns, improve communication, and rebuild emotional connection.
Our work focuses on increasing awareness of how each partner’s internal world, past experiences, and emotional responses show up in the relationship. I often incorporate mindfulness and parts-based work to support emotional regulation, reduce reactivity, and create space for more thoughtful, intentional responses.
A central part of couples therapy involves developing practical relational skills. This includes strengthening assertive and reflective communication, increasing empathy and emotional attunement, and learning how to navigate conflict in ways that feel respectful and constructive.
When helpful, we also explore shared values, beliefs, and long-term vision so the relationship can move forward with greater clarity and alignment. My role is not to take sides or determine who is “right,” but to guide both partners toward deeper understanding, accountability, and sustainable change—both within the relationship and beyond therapy.
Premarital counseling
50 to 100 minute session
Premarital counseling offers couples the opportunity to intentionally prepare for marriage by strengthening emotional connection, communication, and shared understanding before challenges arise. Research shows that couples who invest in premarital counseling experience higher relationship satisfaction and have a 31% lower chance of divorce compared to those who skip it.
As a trained Prepare/Enrich facilitator, I help couples explore key areas of their relationship, including communication patterns, conflict styles, values, expectations, and long-term vision. Our work is designed to highlight both strengths and growth areas, offering practical tools and meaningful conversations that support a strong and resilient partnership.
Premarital counseling is about creating realistic expectations and learning how to effectively navigate challenges together through the inevitable changes that life brings. While weddings are a meaningful celebration, the most impactful investment is in learning how to love, communicate, and grow together well beyond the wedding day.
How does premarital counseling work?
Before we meet for premarital counseling, you and your partner will receive a link from Prepare/Enrich asking you to complete an assessment individually. It takes most people 30 minutes or up to an hour complete. The cost for this assessment is one payment of $37. Upon completion, I receive a detailed facilitator report that I will use to guide our sessions. I will send you a more general report and the worksheets pdf that you may choose to print out. To see a sample report click the link.
How long does it take?
The Prepare/Enrich program typically involves 6-8 sessions. Couples planning to get married in the next 6 to 12 months can space out these sessions. For those with less time, we can cover as much as we can and continue these sessions after your’e married. It is completely up to what scheduling allows for.
What will you learn?
The Prepare/Enrich assessment focuses on 12 core relationship scales, along with personality and family dynamics.
- Communication: Evaluates how couples listen and express themselves.
- Conflict Resolution: Assesses how couples handle disagreements and arguments.
- Financial Management: Explores attitudes toward spending, saving, and debt.
- Sexual Intimacy and Affection: Covers physical intimacy, sexual expectations, and affection.
- Partner Style and Habits: Examines personality, stress levels, and daily habits.
- Family and Friends: Focuses on relationships with in-laws, friends, and family.
- Relationship Roles: Discusses expectations for roles within the relationship.
- Children and Parenting: Covers attitudes toward raising children.
- Spiritual Beliefs: Explores shared values and spiritual practices.
- Stress Management: Identifies individual and shared stressors.
- Couple/Family Closeness and Flexibility: Assesses emotional connection and adaptability.
- Personality Traits (SCOPE)
Special areas of focus that can be added into the worksheets include:
- Parenting: Addresses coparenting, child rearing, and household management.
- Faith-based: Offers customization for Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Orthodox Christian, and interfaith couples.
- Step-family/Adoption: Evaluates dynamics for blended families
Sessions focus on meaningful conversations, practical tools, and skill-building that help you apply this awareness in real-life situations, both now and as you move into marriage.
Could premarital counseling potentially end the relationship?
Premarital counseling is not designed to push couples toward or away from marriage. Instead, it offers space for honest reflection, open dialogue, and informed decision-making.
For some couples, the process brings reassurance, alignment, and deeper connection. For others, it may surface important differences or concerns that deserve thoughtful consideration before moving forward. While this can feel uncomfortable, clarity is ultimately protective. The goal is to support you in making decisions that are aligned, intentional, and rooted in long-term well-being, whether that means moving forward together with confidence or pausing to reflect further.
Does Prepare Enrich work for all types of couples?
Prepare/Enrich can be a helpful tool for many types of couples and relationship structures. While it is often associated with premarital counseling, the core areas it explores are relevant at many stages of a relationship. Couples who are already married or long-term partners often find the assessment useful when they feel stuck, misaligned, or want to strengthen their connection and communication.
Prepare/Enrich is also used with couples in the LGBTQ+ community. While the assessment itself is not tailored to specific relationship configurations or identities, the focus areas are broadly applicable and meaningful across diverse partnerships. The value of the work comes not from rigid categories, but from the conversations, insight, and skill-building that follow.
I approach the assessment as a flexible framework rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Sessions are always tailored to your unique relationship dynamics, identities, values, and goals, ensuring the process feels respectful, relevant, and aligned with your lived experience.
01
Request Consultation
Use the online portal to book your free consultation call or email me to schedule.
02
Complete Brief Intake
Our call lasts up to 15 minutes. I’ll ask some clarifying questions to know how to best support you through therapy and we will decide if we are a good fit.
03
Start Therapy
After our consultation, I will get you scheduled for our first session.
NOT SURE WHICH TYPE OF THERAPY IS RIGHT FOR YOU ?
Schedule a free consultation call, and I can help you decide.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
01. Is virtual therapy as effective as in person?
Yes. Research shows that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. The most important factors in successful therapy are the quality of the therapeutic relationship and your level of engagement, not the physical location.
I offer both virtual and in-person sessions so you can choose the format that best fits your needs, comfort level, and schedule. EMDR and couples therapy can be effectively adapted for virtual sessions.
02. Do you accept insurance?
North Star Counseling Collective is a private-pay practice. I do not bill insurance directly. However, I am happy to provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.
Some clients find it helpful to use Thrizer, a third-party service that can help you determine whether you have out-of-network coverage and assist with reimbursement.
Individually, I am credentialed with Aetna, Cigna, Oscar, Quest, and other insurance plans through Alma and Headway. Availability through these platforms may vary and can be discussed during a consultation.
03. Do you offer sliding scale?
I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability and financial need. If cost is a concern, you are welcome to reach out and inquire. If I am unable to offer a reduced rate at the time, I am happy to help provide referrals or alternative resources.
04. Do you offer faith based or spiritually integrated counseling?
Yes. When it feels meaningful and aligned for you. I offer the option to integrate faith or spirituality into therapy for clients who desire it. This may include exploring spiritual beliefs, practices, or experiences as part of your healing, growth, and sense of purpose.
I personally identify as Christian and approach faith in a contemplative, experiential way, while also holding respect for diverse spiritual and religious traditions. Therapy is always client-led, and spiritual or faith-based themes are only incorporated if you choose to bring them into the work.
My role is not to impose beliefs or provide religious instruction, but to support your process of meaning-making, healing, and alignment, whether that is rooted in faith, spirituality, both, or neither. If spirituality is important to you, we can thoughtfully explore how it intersects with your emotional well-being, relationships, and values in a way that feels respectful and supportive.
05. Is your practice LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes. I welcome individuals and couples from all backgrounds, identities, and relationship structures. My practice is grounded in respect, curiosity, and cultural humility.
If you are seeking support around a topic or experience that falls outside my scope of expertise, I will always be transparent and, when appropriate, help connect you with a provider who is better suited to meet your needs.
06. Can I pause therapy and return later?
Yes. Therapy is meant to support your life, not become something you feel locked into. Many clients choose to pause once goals are met and return later during new seasons of stress, transition, or growth.
07. How do I cancel or reschedule a session?
To cancel or reschedule a session, please email me at danielle@northstarcounselingco.com or use the Jane App link provided in your appointment confirmation email.
Cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged the full session fee. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to the cost of the session. Exceptions may be made in the case of emergencies.
08. Do you provide "homework" between sessions?
Yes, at times. I believe that meaningful change happens not only during sessions, but through integration in everyday life. When appropriate, I may offer reflections, practices, or resources to support the goals we are working toward and help track progress over time. This applies to both individual and couples work.
Any resources or exercises I share are offered as support, not obligation. You are not required to complete everything before our next session. My intention is to provide tools that may be helpful to your process and align with your goals, trusting that you will engage with what feels most beneficial and sustainable for you.