Our Team

Lee Phillips

LCSW Ph.D.

Anxiety and depression rob us of moments in life, stress our relationships, and hold us hostage in time. Haunting memories from the past stir us to run, fight, or shut down whenever we are reminded. The demands of life barrel on as we struggle to find a window to rest and to heal. The great news is, there is hope. Hope to better understand the parts of us that are healthy and those parts that are hurting. And hope that by working together we can strengthen your relationship with yourself and lighten your load. Let’s unburden, learn to cut anxiety off before it builds or shut it down when it does, lift the fog of depression, repair relationships, heal trauma, and become the healthy and whole persons we long to be. Let this opportunity be your window. Reclaim those moments, relationships, and time.

The old alchemist believed in turning lead into gold, but this was a metaphor for personal growth. Japanese refer to repairing a broken pottery with gold as kintsukuroi, and the piece is considered more beautiful for having been broken. How do we turn lead to gold? Or bond together the pieces? I believe my training as a social worker, trauma informed approach, and personal experiences in life have provided me with skills to help you navigate your path to a better sense of well-being. I am here to help you tackle anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship challenges, and personal growth.

Ashlyn McAllister

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Trying to figure out who you are, who you want to be, and where you are going in life can be intimidating and overwhelming. There can be a lot of pressure when you are in high school, college, or as a young adult. I strive to create a pressure-free environment where you, or your teen, can explore these big decisions and start their journey down a path that will lead to success for them.

I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy and solution focused methods to support clients in navigating their journey in life. I focus on being accepting and down to earth as I provide a comfortable space for us to process life through your own lens, while also addressing any unhealthy thought processes. I look forward to guiding you on your journey to develop a plan for any change that may need to take place in your life.

Ashlyn is an Atlanta, GA native with over 12 years of experience working in the field of mental health and healthcare. She first graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of West Georgia in 2011. With this degree she started her career working to serve women in a residential substance abuse recovery program. Realizing that she wanted to learn to be more effective, she began to pursue her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Kennesaw State University while working in an inpatient psychiatric facility for 3 years. She graduated with her Master’s degree in 2014. After grad school, Ashlyn started an 8 year journey serving in an inner city healthcare system as a Social Work/ Case Manager, where she served people recovering from a variety of medical, social and psychiatric issues. She eventually made the decision to become part of our great team of therapists here at Creative Center for Wellness.

William Walker

MSW, Psychotherapist

Life has a way of bringing obstacles into your path that are unexpected and overwhelming. In my work with you, I will provide a reflective space in which we can think together about your anxieties and explore how past experiences may be affecting your current relationships and interactions with others.

Through the process of our exploration, we will develop different ways to improve communication and facilitate a greater understanding of your relationships with yourself and others.

You may be surprised at the amount of emotional and other energy that can be freed up as a result of overcoming these obstacles. This newly found energy can then be given freely to your marriage, your job, or your personal aims and ambitions. You get to choose!

I have specialized experience working with couples and individuals experiencing relationship and personal difficulties. I have been specifically trained in couples therapy at the internationally renowned Tavistock Relationships, a leading institute for psychotherapy and relationships. As well, I am trained in Mentalisation Based Therapy, Multi-systemic Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for children (TF-CBT). I am also trained to run evidence-based programs such as Parent as Partner groups, and Triple P. I strongly encourage you to reach out and see if we are a good fit!

Gabrielle "Gabby" Talley

Associate Professional Counselor

I understand that anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, parenting, family issues, stress, or co-dependent relationships, can be a struggle. I know that you are motivated to make positive changes in your life. Through self-reflection and self-discovery, I can guide you towards healing using creative approaches. Therapy can be hard, and I appreciate that you are willing to explore your experiences to find the underlying issues causing your struggle.

My approach to therapy centers around observing and reflecting emotions using creative methods such as sandtray, expressive art, and play therapy. I offer a safe and non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions and experiences to find solutions, broaden your understanding of yourself, and the world, and build coping skills.

If you are struggling with these issues, I would love to help you take back control of your life and find peace. I strive to offer a compassionate and supportive environment where you can explore your emotions and experiences and develop practical tools to overcome your challenges.

I have a BFA in visual communications, a MS in clinical mental health counseling, and I am currently working towards my Licensed Professional Counselor. I have three years of counseling experience. I continue to study and explore expressive art therapy, play therapy, and other evidence based techniques. I am currently being supervised by Mandy Miller, MS, LCSW, CCH and R. Lee Phillips, LCSW, Ph.D (please refer to their biographies on this page for more information).

Mandy Miller

MS in Early Childhood Development, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

Mandy has over 12 years of experience in providing mental health services to individuals in need. She first graduated from Erikson Institute, in Chicago IL, in 2006 with a Masters in Early Childhood Development. A year later, she graduated from the Loyola University Chicago’s Clinical Social Work program. This combination of degrees allows her to understand both healthy and unhealthy patterns of human development, factors that can affect human development negatively, and a deeper understanding of how to recover from these experiences.

In addition to these degrees, Mandy has worked in many capacities, developing a deeper understanding of the needs of individuals and communities. Most of her work has focused on addressing severe and comprehensive trauma, including trauma from singular incidents, repetitive trauma, and complex trauma. Trauma can look like depression, anxiety, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Personality Disorders, and many other mental and emotional health problems or concerns.

Mandy is currently trained in Theraplay and EMDR, and certified in Clinical Hypnotherapy, as her passion is the recognition and treatment of trauma of all types. She was recognized as the Social Worker of the Year in 2017 by the CSWA-S. She is recognized by those who know her as intelligent, creative, and passionate about her work to create a world where each individual feels good about themselves and the lives they lead. She is constantly searching for new information and new resources for consumers and colleagues alike.

Maureen Eames

Reiki Practitioner
Life Coach

Maureen has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an Associate’s degree in Business Management and has worked in a variety of roles in various office settings over the years. She has been fulfilling the role of Office Manager for Creative Center since its inception.

As she has grown and developed at the Center, her desire to expand her abilities and more directly bring health and wellness to others has also grown. This desire led her to obtain her Reiki Level 1 and 2 certifications earlier this year.

She is excited to begin offering this service to our clients and the public in general, with the intention of eventually becoming a Reiki Master level practitioner.

Her goal is to play an active role in helping to bring health and wellness to our clients and our community.