My name is Christie Wakefield. I am an Atlanta native. I have a passion for helping people and for alternative healing practices. While working in corporate accounting for many years, I sought various certifications in alternative modalities for personal enrichment and became a Reiki.

As for many of us, being a counselor is a second career for me. I finally followed my passion for helping others and went back to school to earn a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine. My journey of becoming a therapist has been one of excitement and fulfillment.

I believe that each couple, family, individual, or child has his or her own strengths and the collaborative work done in therapy is to uncover and use those strengths to find solutions to existing problems or struggles and reach an empowered narrative.  My goal is to offer you a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, and invite you to truly be yourself, and share your story in a non-judgmental space. 

I have a passion for working with children. Helping them acquire new coping skills and overcome life transitions leads to a healthier, happier adult. My perspective is that therapy and the changing process is a co-creative and collaborative journey between the client and his or her therapist. Because of that, I am client centered, working through an integrative play therapy narrative lens. I use sand tray and other play modalities to build trust and allow the child to open up and relate his or her struggles. Because our lives are made up of a series of unique events we have experienced, my approach is to meet people where they are and each session is customized to you needs.

I am also Gottman Level 2 trained and offer pre-marital and marital counseling. I am the Gottman trained female specialist in the office, Scott Pennington being the male Gottman couples’ therapist. I work with individuals, families, children, and couples including LGBT couples. 

In my work as a counselor, I also have clinical experience and worked in a recovery center helping families with children struggling with addiction recovery. Addiction does not only affect one individual but it also affects everyone in their life and has a lifelong effect on everyone involved. Helping not only the individual manage his or her addiction but also providing support and education to the people in his or her life strengthens the person’s support system and helps the family better cope. 

I am also trained in Hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a method recognized by the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists that uses hypnosis to bring about positive changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By guiding you into a state of focused attention and openness, we can access the subconscious mind where deep beliefs are held.

The benefits of hypnotherapy include reducing stress and anxiety, managing pain, changing habits like smoking or emotional eating, improving sleep, and supporting emotional healing from past traumas.

As a licensed therapist specializing in trauma, I use hypnotherapy as one of many tools to help my clients rewrite their stories and find relief. Hypnotherapy is a safe, collaborative process where you remain in control, allowing us to gently work together toward your goals.

If you’re curious about how hypnotherapy can support your healing journey, I’d love to discuss it with you. 

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my dog Cosette and going on bike rides.