Our Team

With You Every Step of the Way

Christine

Christine M Shaheen-Ball, MS, LPC, CPCS

Licensed Professional Counselor

Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor

Certified Irlens screener

Part-time faculty Brenau University

Ms. Ball is a Licensed Professional Counselor (#007940) and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. Ms. Ball is trained in psychotherapy and psychometrics. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in education from Piedmont College. She received her Master’s in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University. Ms. Ball is a part-time faculty member of Brenau University. Ms Ball is a member of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association (LPCA) of Georgia.

Ms. Ball believes coming to a therapist is an enlightening experience, it can make a once chaotic and out of control life become peaceful and have meaning. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy as her main methods for therapy; however, she will draw from other therapy types to give her clients the best therapeutic experience where they can thrive. She loves working with children, adolescents and adults. Her experience lies in behavior management, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life changes, adjustment issues and addiction issues as it related to the addict and to the family. She sees children from blended and divorced families, along with children in foster care. She offers parenting assistance to parents who are struggling with their children’s behaviors or have challenges co-parenting. She sees therapy as a family experience, regardless of which family member is the client, the whole family benefits from progress in therapy.

At the initial visit, she will do an intake interview that lasts about 1.5 hours and lets you provide her with all the background information she will need. She will discuss what her initial thoughts are and how she might proceed with therapy.

Ms. Ball’s practice offers hours Monday, and Thursday 9:00 am until 7:00 pm.in the Gainesville location. Ms. Ball sees clients on Wednesday from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm and Friday Mornings from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm in the Buford location.

Ms. Ball accepts the follow insurance: Amerigroup, Anthem BC/BS, Humana, Cigna and Aetna. She also accepts private pay clients. Her rates are $150.00 for an Intake interview and $100.00 per session. Sliding scale available upon request.

Sarah

Sarah Johansson, MEd, NCC

Nationally Board Certified Counselor

School Counselor

Sarah has been a school counselor and National Board Certified Counselor for 10 years. Sarah is currently working towards her LPC license. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in Education from the University of Maryland. She earned her Masters of Education in School Counseling from Loyola University. Sarah is a member of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association (LPCA) of Georgia. She is a full time school counselor and part time mental health counselor.

Sarah enjoys working with any client seeking self-improvement or healing. She takes a holistic approach and focuses treatment on the whole being, including one’s life experiences. She is open minded and flexible in her approach. Sarah enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. With a decade of school counseling experience she is especially knowledgeable about education and school issues. She has experience with anxiety, depression, school problems, self-harm, interpersonal/social issues, parenting difficulties and more.

An initial visit with Sarah runs about 90 minutes. During this visit she will ask questions and gather information to help her understand the situation. She will determine how she might proceed with therapy and will discuss an action plan.

Sarah offers hours Monday and Thursday 4-7pm in the Gainesville office. She does not accept insurance. Her rates are $85 for initial visits and $60 per session. Sliding scale available upon request.

Bethany

Bethany Kline, MA, APC, NCC

Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator

I am an Associate Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor at CMS Counseling in Sugar Hill, Georgia. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Liberty University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Christian Counseling. I am a graduate of the Master of Arts Marriage and Family Therapy program at Liberty University. I am trained in individual, couples, and group therapy in a number of different counseling approaches. I am a certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator, and take great joy in working with couples as well as individuals dealing with relationship problems. It has been my mantra since embarking on my journey to become a counselor that I want to help people to love each other better. Sometimes that means working with a couple through premarital counseling, or with enriching the relationship of couples that have been together for many years. Sometimes helping people love each other better looks like helping an individual address some past pains to allow them to be more present in their relationship now. And I honestly believe that if we can love ourselves well, we can love other immensely more!

In my view, counseling is an opportunity for a counselor to come alongside someone in their journey. It is my prerogative to provide my clients with compassion and a safe space to express themselves, under the umbrella of unconditional positive regard. Therapy is a relationship that exists within certain boundaries; these boundaries support clients in making changes that they desire and becoming empowered. I subscribe to an eclectic approach to counseling because I firmly believe that not all interventions and approaches are effective with every client. Counseling should be a personalized experience, and thusly I prefer to draw from which ever approach is best suited to my client and their needs. I am humbled by the opportunity to help my clients through whatever storms they may be experiencing. I consider the therapeutic alliance between a counselor and a client to be similar to that of a team in which a goal is set and we then work together using our joint strengths to achieve that goal.

I love Art, crafting, DIY projects and basically doing anything with color and my hands. I have hosted Creative Journaling classes in the past and am looking forward to doing more art-based therapy in the future. I am happily married and my husband and I have 3 beautiful rambunctious children together who keep us on our toes and seeing the world through their eyes daily.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn McLaughlin

Counseling Intern

I am a pre-licensed counselor working toward licensure as an LPC. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in sociology from the University of North Georgia, Gainesville. I received my Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University, where I earned an additional specialization in psychometrics and was awarded the Ali McNichols Outstanding Graduate Student Award. I am also a part-time faculty member of Brenau University and a member of the Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCA) of Georgia and the American Counseling Association (ACA).

I understand that making the decision to begin therapy can sometimes be difficult; but I believe that therapy can be a powerful experience for anyone who has the desire to begin the journey toward living the life they desire and deserve. I can provide a safe and confidential space to explore your unique life experiences, gain insight, and learn healthier ways to cope with life’s busy and often chaotic challenges. I tailor my treatment perspective to each individual client in order to provide the most personalized therapeutic experience in order to help you make the positive changes you've been searching for in your life. I have experience working with teenagers and adults from all walks of life. I am uniquely qualified in treating individuals with depression, anxiety, life changes and adjustment issues, trauma/PTSD, and LGBTQIA+ issues. I believe that a trusting therapeutic alliance along with self-compassion and desire for growth can be the monumental foundations for change in one's life. I currently offer hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at my office in Gainesville. My fees are $85 for an initial intake appointment and $60 for each session thereafter. I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward a healthier and happier life! Contact me to schedule an appointment: or (470) 201-7804.

Heather

Counseling Intern

Heather is a pre-licensed professional currently working toward her LPC licensure. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, GA. During her time there, she was heavily involved in the Psychology Club, and served as the president for the Psi Chi Honor's Society. Heather went on to obtain a master's degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University, as well as a Research Methods teaching specialization.

In this fast-paced world we live in, it can be difficult to make time to take care of ourselves. Therapy provides the time and space to care for your emotional and spiritual needs. There can be many benefits to therapy, including increased self-awareness, healthier relationships, better coping skills, and an improved sense of well-being. As a counselor, Heather strives to provide clients with a safe and inviting space to work through whatever difficulties they may be experiencing. She believes each individual's growth and discovery is unique, and she incorporates that belief into her counseling practices.

Heather has experience working with children, teenagers, and adults. She is uniquely qualified to treat individuals with trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, and substance abuse.

Taking the steps to begin therapy can be anxiety-provoking and scary, but the results often make the journey worth the initial fear. Heather currently see clients at the Gainesville location on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.