Psychological Services

Choosing a Therapist

It is important to find a therapist who not only has experience helping people but is also someone you can feel comfortable with.

Atlanta Psychologist Dr. Betsy Gard treating: Infertility issues and adoption, life transitions, ways to increase resiliency and growth through stress, psychotherapy for couples, marital issues, intimacy issues, sexual problems, family psychotherapy, failure to launch, Psychotherapy for children, psychotherapy for adolescents, psychotherapy for teens, adjustment to separation, Divorce therapy, blended family therapy, psychoactive substance abuse, Anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, phobias, depression, Bipolar disorder, coping with serious illness, Grief and Loss, Trauma, PTSD, assessment of learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Executive Disorders, Emotional and Social ProblemsWhen choosing a therapist, it is helpful to know that as a psychologist, I have had 4 years of college, and then I received my Ph.D. (which can take 5-7 years) in an American Psychological Association approved clinical program which included practicum’s in assessment, psychological testing, and different types of therapy. I developed research skills in order to be able to evaluate which therapies are most effective, and completed a doctoral research thesis in an area in clinical psychology. Then, I completed a full year of clinical internship, had postdoctoral supervision, and passed a national licensing exam as well as a state oral exam.

After knowing the educational background, you must also find a psychologist that you feel comfortable with, whose approach is consistent with what you think works for you, and with whom you can share your expectations for the work you will be doing.

I encourage you to read about my background and experience, then call me to talk. I expect that our phone call will take some time so you will be able to feel free to share with me your concerns and your goals for counseling.

You should not hesitate to ask questions and talk about your expectations for psychotherapy. I will strive to answer your questions and help you understand as much as possible about my practice.

Services Provided

I am a licensed psychologist working with children, adolescents, couples, families and individual adults in Atlanta, Georgia since 1979. I provide evaluations, psychological testing, psychotherapy, consultation, collaboration with medical professionals, and assistance with referrals for medication, schools, camps, or to other professionals. I have received certification in psychoactive substance abuse from the American Psychological Association. In other clinical areas I have attended symposiums, seminars, and colloquia to increase my skills and competency.

I provide counseling in Atlanta in the following areas:

  • Infertility issues and adoption
  • Assistance for working with life transitions
  • Ways to increase resiliency and growth through stress
  • Psychotherapy for couples and marital issues including problems with sexual and intimacy issues
  • Family psychotherapy for problems within the family, including children and young adults who have failed to launch
  • Psychotherapy for children and adolescents
  • Adjustment to separation
  • Divorce
  • Blended families
  • Psychoactive substance abuse
  • Anxiety, including OCD, panic attacks and phobias
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Coping with serious illness
  • Grief and Loss
  • Trauma
  • Consultant for needed services for individuals with learning disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
  • Executive Disorders
  • Emotional and Social Problems in Children and Adolescents

I also provide consultations to companies, schools, and organizations on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. For articles on information you might find interesting, please click here. To reach me for a consultation, please call my Atlanta office at 770-393-1880 ext. 108.