Stephanie Cook, LCSW, CGT

As the Executive Director of Couples Counseling ATL, I am passionate about helping people improve their relationships. I know that a great couples therapist can make all the difference. I founded Couples Counseling ATL because there is a need for expert couples therapy using proven, research-based methods. We have a small group of highly trained, talented, dedicated couples therapists who provide the best possible couples therapy to their clients. Using the Gottman Method, we teach practical tools all relationships need for healthy communication, conflict, and intimacy-building, with the goal of creating a real connection and lasting happiness. I believe in being both “caring” and “direct”. As a teacher and leader, I strive to be straightforward, and to help our couples therapists to be this way, too. Couples thrive when their therapist leads well and teaches them to learn how to discuss difficult truths with each other while also striving to be as empathetic and non-judgmental as possible; a good therapist can show any couple just how to do this. I work hard to help our therapists to help their clients see themselves and their relationships clearly, learn from their experiences, become better partners, and get the most out of counseling. I was proud to become the first Certified Gottman Couples Therapist (CGT) in the state of Georgia in 2018. MY BACKGROUND I first knew that I wanted to help people by my freshman year in high school, when I began volunteering as a peer educator at the Oasis Center, a crisis shelter for homeless and runaway teens in Nashville, TN. I answered the crisis hotline, spent time with the residents, and learned the value of listening. This experience sparked my interest in counseling and changed my life forever. Later, I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and English from Vanderbilt University and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. After college, I worked as an in-home family therapist at Youth Villages, a nonprofit serving emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families. I was later promoted to managing a mentoring program for children in Tennessee's foster care system. I attended graduate school with funding through a research assistantship, during which time I studied the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing, a creative counseling style designed to increase the likelihood of someone changing problem behaviors, such as alcohol abuse. After graduate school, I worked for Ridgeview Institute, a psychiatric and substance abuse treatment facility, in Atlanta, GA, where I provided individual, group, and family counseling. I primarily worked with teens who were seeking inpatient and outpatient treatment for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Following my work at Ridgeview, I was selected for a 2-year clinical fellowship at Emory University, where I provided counseling to employees, staff, faculty, and students. In 2013, I chose to start my own private counseling practice thanks in large part to the encouragement of my husband, who has been my best friend and biggest supporter for nearly 20 years. I know what it's like to seek professional help and challenge myself. In my life, I have personally benefited from individual, couples, group and family counseling. I believe that everyone can benefit from one form of counseling or another, as long as they are willing. Most of all, I believe that everyone can change, heal, grow, and we can learn from all experiences—sometimes we just need to have more support, knowledge, or expert guidance to do so. AVAILABILITY I primarily supervise our couples therapists, teach couples workshops, and provide speaking engagements, in addition to serving as executive director of Couples Therapy ATL. I am not currently accepting new clients, but have a limited number of yearly spots for “marathon style intensive therapy” (2-4 consecutive days of therapy, 6 hours each day). If you are interested in hiring Stephanie for a speaking engagement, workshop, or marathon session, please reach out to her via email at Stephanie@CounselingATL.com or by calling her at 678-999-3390 ext. 505. LOCATION Stephanie is available at the Grant Park office and virtually. SCHEDULING To schedule marathon therapy, workshops, or speaking engagements, please either call me at 678-999-3390 ext. 505, or email her at Stephanie@counselingatl.com. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & COUPLES WORKSHOPS Every quarter, I lead a couples workshop all Saturday based on the research by the Gottman Institute. Click here to learn more!