WE’RE HIRING!
Come join our team of 2000+ clinicians
FEATURED ARTICLE
A comprehensive guide to starting therapy
Book my first session
96% of clients feel supported and understood by their therapist
Get expert medication support, tailored to you
Check my copay estimate
Sessions cost $17 on average with insurance
113 licensed therapists & providers in Georgia—5 in Athens. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees
94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
When life gets complicated, sometimes it helps to be seen, heard, and understood in a safe and non-judgmental space....
About
When life gets complicated, sometimes it helps to be seen, heard, and understood in a safe and non-judgmental space.
Beth Phillips is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Georgia. She works closely with adults between the ages of 21 and 70 who are struggling to function to their fullest potential in their daily lives.
Beth holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Georgia in Athens (GO DAWGS!) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology from Argosy University of Atlanta. Beth subscribes to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, of which she is a member.
Beth’s clinical approach is intentionally eclectic, empathetic, and person-centered, valuing a highly connected client-therapist relationship. Her practice is informed significantly by CBT, DBT, and a diverse mix of other theoretical approaches, however, remains based in mindfulness and maintains the flexibility required to best meet your needs.
Beth provides therapeutic services to individuals viewing life through many different lenses and will meet you where you are, working together to create and implement a plan for a better life. Her greatest joy is celebrating with a client their victories, achieved goals, improved relationships, and finding hope where there once was darkness.
Education and training
View more therapists in Athens
As a person who has had many of life's challenges, I understand the need to seek out help when needed....
As a person who has had many of life's challenges, I understand the need to seek out help when needed.
Anna Wohleking is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) in the state of Georgia who has over 12 years of experience partnering with children and their families who are seeking help with ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, foster care, depression, anger management, mood disorders, and grief or bereavement.
She completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from New Mexico State University and received her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Anna utilizes person-centered therapy (PCT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and play therapy techniques. She always takes great care to maintain the creativity, flexibility, and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual and their family.
Anna seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist in building on your strengths and better collaborate with you towards meeting your goals and living the meaningful life you value and desire.
I like to work with people and provide them unique opportunities to grow as they journey through life....
I like to work with people and provide them unique opportunities to grow as they journey through life.
David Koepnick is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 10 years of experience. He specializes in working with preteens, adolescents, and adults who struggle with ADHD, anger management, anxiety, behavior problems, depression, learning disorders, relationship issues, spirituality and faith-based issues, substance abuse, technology/gaming addiction, and trauma. David also has experience working with couples and families and in community-based counseling and assessment.
David has a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University. He uses approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, Logotherapy, person-centered therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, conjoint family therapy structured family therapy, and mindfulness-based methods.
David is passionate about helping clients meet their full potential by identifying unique strengths, addressing irrational thinking, and increasing personal effectiveness and communication. Therapy can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. If you are ready to begin yours, David wants to help you get started.
As a biracial gay man raised in the American South, I am intimately familiar with building community, deepening an understanding o...
As a biracial gay man raised in the American South, I am intimately familiar with building community, deepening an understanding of myself, and navigating through issues that arise from being in this beautiful, diverse, and sometimes challenging cultural landscape.
I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 2+ years of experience supporting clients through identity exploration, emotional challenges, and life transitions. I work with individuals across diverse backgrounds, including those navigating gender and sexuality, neurodivergence, trauma, eating and body-image concerns, and relationship dynamics. I strive to understand each person as a unique individual with strengths, values, and resilience, and I create a space where your story is met with curiosity, empathy, and respect.
I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia, where I trained in LGBTQ+ concerns, neurodiversity, eating disorders, trauma, and identity development. I integrate cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, and internal family systems therapies, along with motivational interviewing and mindfulness. I have completed an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training through the EMDR Institute. I offer EMDR standard protocol and EMDR resourcing for both in-person and virtual clients while continuing to receive ongoing consultation to refine my EMDR skills and provide high-quality, evidence-based care.
I hope to support you through every part of your healing journey, whether your moments are joyful, painful, or confusing. Therapy with me offers a reflective, nonjudgmental space to understand your experiences. Together, we’ll explore your story, build emotional tools, and move toward a grounded, authentic life.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
I enjoy teaching practical tools to help clients manage intense emotions and make positive changes to their lives; my go-to approach for clients in dialectical behavior therapy is psychoeducation. Working closely with clients, I gather a robust understanding of their problems and symptoms and together, we develop an individualized DBT toolbox to help reduce or eliminate their symptoms.
My go-to approaches for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy are mindfulness skills and distress tolerance skills. I prefer DBT because there are only 4 pillars that are covered in DBT: distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.
I've trained and educated clients navigating substance use, severe depression, and suicidal ideation on the four core modules of DBT: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Facilitating groups as large as 40 individuals, I've taught DBT techniques, which include:
I teach the following tools in DBT: distress tolerance skills, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation skills.
Emotional regulation, the development of an emotionally safe environment, the establishment and enforcement of boundaries, as well as a strong sense of self are key indicators I see when clients understand and are applying the DBT skills we discuss and teach. The client is more aligned with their core values with more peace.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in DBT when they come to their session and tell me that they had an episode and did not lose their emotions over it.
Outside of individual therapy, I provide clients with homework assignments to help them continue utilizing the skills discussed and taught in sessions.
Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by using the coping skills they are learning in the sessions.
To prepare for their first dialectical behavior therapy session, an individual can journal regarding their apprehension about vulnerability, therapy, or trust. As a clinician, I want to work with the client so they become familiar with labeling and expressing their emotions.
To prepare for their first dialectical behavior therapy session, an individual can research what DBT is and how it can benefit them.
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Athens, GA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Athens is located near N Chase St and Prince Ave, off US-129. It is close to the North Oconee River Park and a short distance from the Piedmont Athens Regional Emergency Room.
Shown in ET
113 therapists available in Georgia, including 5 in Athens
Call to book
We'll help you find the right provider and get you scheduled.
Book online
Find the right provider for you and book your first session in minutes.