Brianna Sterling, LCSW is a trauma-informed, holistic therapist who empathetically utilizes a variety of approaches to address your individual, unique needs. She desires to be a partner in your treatment. While honoring the mind, body, and/or spiritual connections of your unique self, together we'll transform your experiences into opportunities of deep, long lasting healing.
Brianna is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Brainspotting (BSP). Brianna is also formally trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 by the IFS institute and trained in other trauma-informed therapeutic approaches.
Brianna has over 8 years of experience working with trauma survivors and their loved ones in a variety of different roles. She is well-versed in complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress, anxiety, depression, grief, attachment styles, adverse childhood experiences, abuse (physical, emotional, & sexual), neglect, intimate partner violence, commercial sexual exploitation, compassion fatigue, resiliency, advocacy, and evidence-based approaches to treatment.
My Story
During her undergraduate study, Brianna worked with child and adult survivors of complex trauma through domestic violence shelters, group homes, and advocate programs. She assisted with organizations serving children/family by strengthening their community outreach programs and increasing resiliency factors. She was president of her alma mater’s psychology club, member of Psi Chi (the International Honor Society in Psychology), and founded the Prevent Child Abuse at University of North Georgia chapter. Her efforts in promoting community preventative measures for abuse/neglect were interviewed by and featured in The Dahlonega Nugget newspaper. Brianna was also selected out of her undergraduate program to be awarded the Jim G. Coone Ph.D. Community Service Departmental Award, an award presented annually to the Psychology or Sociology major making significant contributions to community service.
While attending her Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Georgia(UGA), Brianna worked as a behavioral therapist for an inpatient psychiatric hospital. She served as a family advocate, grant coordinator, & therapeutic camp counselor for multiple child advocacy centers. Brianna was also a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society (the American honor society for Social Work students). She attended trainings on commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), mindfulness, theraplay, attachment, and animal-assisted therapy. Brianna also participated in the Project F.R.E.E Elevate & Together We Can curriculum and was trained as a co-facilitator.
Brianna has more than 4 years post graduate work experience as an individual, child, and family therapist. She has experience as an Intensive Family Intervention (IFI) therapist providing thorough services to children experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and/or homicidal thoughts and their families. She served as a clinical supervisor where she supervised and trained clinicians at a private, community based mental health agency. Brianna also has experience as a group facilitator, intake assessor, and agency liaison to multiple agencies serving children/families.
Currently, Brianna teaches part-time as an adjunct professor for the University of Georgia's Social of Social Work. She also serves as the coordinator for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program Athens Area Trauma Recovery Network. The Athens Area TRN provides free, time limited EMDR services to individuals, families and communities affected by sexual violence and child abuse. This initiative also uses EMDR trained clinicians to respond to community traumas, such as mass shootings, natural disasters, etc.
Contact
Brianna is actively accepting ongoing clients at this time. She charges $150/session & accepts cigna & aetna insurance.
Brianna is also usually able to schedule EMDR intensives (sessions longer than 1 hour; $180/hour) on some weekdays & on Fridays.
404-450-2649