Anne Tormos, LCPC

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.

Cheryl Jones, LICSW, LCSW, is passionate about supporting clients as they manage and overcome challenging life issues. She brings broad perspective and insight from working in a variety of clinical settings and with diverse populations. Cheryl’s experience as a licensed clinical social worker allows her to provide compassionate, thoughtful care while helping individuals navigate personal, emotional, and life transitions.

Cheryl combines warmth with clinical expertise to help clients navigate life’s challenges in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Her therapy approach is client-centered and integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and strengths-based techniques. She tailors each treatment plan to meet the unique needs, goals, and experiences of every individual she works with.

During the first session, Cheryl focuses on getting to know each patient and understanding what brings them to therapy. She explores concerns, goals, and what clients hope to gain from treatment while creating a safe space for open conversation. Together, they build a strong foundation for therapy and continue collaborating in future sessions to turn those goals into meaningful progress.

Jannise McKamey-Bruell began her career working in the field of education after she completed both a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and a Master of Liberal Arts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with an emphasis on Psychology, Women's Studies, and Child and Family Studies. After relocating to Georgia, Ms. McKamey-Bruell attended Argosy University where she completed an additional Master of Arts Degree, with honors, in Community Counseling in addition to receiving a Marriage and Family Therapy Certification. Ms. McKamey-Bruell is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Distance Certified Counselor (DCC), a Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and holds a Crisis Worker Certification from the American Association of Suicidology. Ms. McKamey-Bruell is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Cobb County Juvenile Court. Prior to private practice, her clinical experience included working as a therapist at the YWCA, providing domestic violence and sexual assault counseling, facilitating domestic violence support and therapy groups, working with children and families at several community mental health agencies, and working at a mental health crisis line. In addition to her private practice, Ms. McKamey-Bruell also provides online therapy to clients through a secure website and texting platform. Ms. McKamey-Bruell believes in helping others to help themselves. She provides therapy to individuals with an emphasis on crisis intervention, skill-building, self-esteem, attachment issues, relationship problems, and communication repair. She creates a close, supportive relationship in the counseling setting to assist each person in moving forward through open discussion, developing personal insight, and offering workable suggestions. Her specialties include working with those who are experiencing anxiety or depression. When not working, Ms. McKamey-Bruell regularly participates in professional training, enjoys volunteering and participating in community and sorority events, collecting Disney paraphernalia, traveling, sewing, attending sci-fi conventions, and spoiling her nieces and nephews.

Rebecca Scandell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 26 years of experience providing counseling to individuals, teens, couples, and families. She is licensed in 12 states and has worked across diverse clinical settings, delivering both in-person and telehealth care. Rebecca’s extensive experience reflects her longstanding commitment to accessible, high-quality behavioral health services.

Rebecca is open, approachable, supportive, caring, and empathetic. She creates a warm, welcoming environment where clients feel safe to talk things through at their own pace. She values trust, collaboration, and respect, and believes meaningful change begins with feeling heard and understood.

Rebecca begins with a comprehensive assessment that explores personal history, current concerns, and potential solutions. From there, she collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment goals and a practical plan tailored to their needs, adjusting the approach as progress unfolds.

Cherie McCarthy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with experience working across a wide range of populations. Early in her career, she served as an addictions specialist in high schools, prisons, and intensive outpatient and residential settings. Cherie earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology from National University and completed her intern hours working with adolescents in foster care and adults with severe mental illness in community-based programs. Over the past four years, she has focused on mental and behavioral health in a telehealth setting, treating lower-acuity concerns such as anxiety, depression, panic, and adjustment disorders, along with trauma work using EMDR.

Cherie believes it is both a privilege and a responsibility to create a safe, supportive space where patients can clarify goals and develop aspirations. Her work emphasizes identifying barriers to success and examining unhelpful core beliefs, allowing patients to move toward meaningful and sustainable change.

Cherie spends the first one to two sessions gaining a clear understanding of where patients are coming from and where they would like to go. From there, she collaborates with patients to develop individualized goals, revisiting and refining them over time to support clarity, growth, and progress throughout therapy.

Deborah Unger, LCSW, earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work and her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education/Psychology from Hofstra University. Her background in education and psychology informs her thoughtful, developmentally attuned clinical perspective.

Deborah’s counseling style is warm and interactive. She treats each individual with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, creating a safe and supportive space for growth. She believes meaningful change begins with feeling heard, understood, and empowered.

Deborah integrates Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs. She collaborates with patients to develop personalized goals and practical strategies, supporting them as they take courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life.