Helpful Articles
What is Play Therapy and How Does It Help? By an Atlanta Play Therapist
Seeing our children suffer or go through something that they can’t verbalize can be terrifying. They often can’t tell us what’s wrong in a way that we understand. And if they can’t tell us what’s wrong, how can we tell them how to fix it in a way they understand? ...
Three Months Into the New Year and I’ve already Failed – Tips from an Atlanta Therapist
New Year’s is historically a time for well-intentioned resolutions, a blank slate, and a reset. We enter January determined to not fall into the same behaviors and patterns that, in previous years, kept us from where we want to be. We’re optimistic with our hopes,...
Building A Love that Lasts – By An Atlanta Couples Counselor
Happily ever after. We grow up hearing about it and now and then, we see one of “those” couples. You know, the ones who have been together for an eternity and seem to be more in love than ever. You might find yourself wondering, “Just how do they do it? And how can I...
Sticking With Your New Year’s Intentions, Long After The New Year Has Passed – Tips From An Atlanta Anxiety Therapist
A new year brings with it so much hope and optimism that the next year will be THE year! New hopes, new dreams, and new goals. As an Atlanta anxiety therapist, I hear about it a lot. We start out with all the best intentions but somewhere around early February,...
How to Connect with my Spouse on Valentine’s Day in the Middle of a Pandemic, When We’re Worn Out and Tired of Being in the House – By an Atlanta Couples Therapist
For some, Valentine's Day is just another day of the week. For others, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to reset or reconnect. This year, in the pandemic, Valentine's Day may look different to everyone. Favorite date spots have closed, or there are health...
Coping with Christmas During a Pandemic- By an Atlanta Counselor
This year is like no other. The year 2020 has brought with it a myriad of challenges, including the difficulties that come with battling a pandemic. And with this challenge, we've had incredible difficulties related to the holidays and Christmas and what to do or not...
Dealing with Anxiety During the Holidays – Tips from an Atlanta anxiety therapist
You’re going to your parents’ house, but there are so many worries. They’re older, and what if COVID hurts them? Or what if you have to deal with mom’s perfectionistic nagging, or your cousin’s judgmental statements about how you still aren’t living up to the family’s...
Grief During the Holidays – A Guest Appearance by an Atlanta Counselor
Our Clinical Director, Mikela Hallmark, MS, LPC, recently was the guest of Harboring Positivity, a podcast that tries to provide support related to 'All things pertaining to families and communities' according to their website. Mikela discussed signs and symptoms of...
Anxious? Just Get Over It…Yeah, Thanks for That One – By an Atlanta Anxiety Therapist
When people think you should just ‘get over’ anxiety, they generally have never experienced true anxiety. They may have experienced stress before, but not anxiousness. When you know about anxiety, you know it’s not that simple. And yet, there is hope. Hang in there...
Anxiety is Creeping Back in and I Had a Panic Attack the Other Day – Tips from an Atlanta Anxiety Therapist
The last six months or so have brought so much anxiousness and emotional pain for so many people. And as an Atlanta anxiety therapist, I’ve been working hard to do my best to support people in this. And yet, some of our worry makes sense. It makes sense that a...
About Us
I'm Mikela Hallmark, founder of Rise Counseling in Atlanta. We love helping people figure out what’s driving discontent, anxiety, worry and disconnectedness. It is our joy to assist clients with overcoming barriers and finding peace, joy, and genuine connection with others.