Meet Our Counseling Staff: Cumming Counselors

Iesha Omega Lewis, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

I am a family and marriage counselor licensed in Georgia with over 15 years of experience working as a psychotherapist and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, and career challenges. I also helped many people who have experienced sexual trauma and emotional abuse.

My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and solution-focused counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.

It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you.

I look forward to working with you!

Education

M.S., Marriage and Family Therapy

Specialties

• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Relationship issues
• Trauma and abuse
• Intimacy-related issues
• Depression

Michael Charnley, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Sometimes issues grow unmanageable over a long time or sometimes it happens quickly.   No matter how these issues happen it helps to have someone to listen to and support you through those times.  My goal is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for my clients where they can slow down and start to take apart those issues piece by piece so they can be better understood and dealt with.  I use many different counseling styles but, ultimately, I want my clients to feel like they are just having a conversation about the struggles in their lives.

I started working with teens and their families 24 years ago.  Helping them work through their issues, separately or together, to bring understanding and acceptance back into the relationship. I also work with people of all ages, in both the public and private sector when it comes to issues listed on this profile.

People often ask about being a counselor.  I always answer the same way it is always interesting and it is a privilege that people allow you into their lives.  Just know when those issues arise there are people ready and wanting to help.  I hope you will give me that privilege.

Education

Winthrop University
Masters in Education

Specialties

• Couples/Relationship Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Anxiety Therapy
• Stress Counseling
• Depression Counseling

Dorothy Smith, LPC

Dorothy Smith earned a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University in 2010 and has 10 years counseling experience. Prior to joining Thriveworks, she worked at the University of North Georgia with Student Counseling. She has experience working in university settings, private practice, substance abuse treatment centers, both inpatient and outpatient, and community mental health. Her counseling approach includes, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused and mindfulness. Dorothy offers evidenced based treatment services to help with depression, anxiety struggles, substance disorders, addiction, relationship concerns, career concerns, and general life stresses.

Dorothy believes learning and change take place in relationships that are forward looking, genuine, safe, and trusting. She is committed to helping people improve their emotional well-being. In addition to listening to clients' concerns, she educates them on techniques they can utilize to solve problems, manage stress, adjust to life changes, and improve relationships.

Dorothy is also a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) and a member of the Licensed Professional Counseling Association of Georgia.

Specialties:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance Use Disorders
• Self-Esteem
• Life Transitions
• Grief/Loss
• Codependency

Populations served:

• Individuals
• Professionals
• Adults

Hannah Funderburk, LPC

Hannah has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has been a licensed therapist since 2014. She has worked in a variety of settings with several populations. Her first experience in this field was working in long-term residential treatment for individuals struggling with severe and persistent mental illness. Since that time, she has worked in an inpatient psychiatric facility, residential programs, intensive outpatient agencies, and an outpatient clinic.

Hannah found a passion for supporting individuals and families struggling with substance abuse disorders. In doing this work, she has discovered that many people struggling with addiction also struggle with trauma, mood disorders, and anxiety. The stigma of mental health in our society is often amplified by the addition of substance use, and Hannah continues to find fulfillment in supporting individuals addressing a variety of challenges. 

Hannah believes her role as a therapist is to facilitate people finding their voice and honoring their own inherent ability to heal. She enjoys and appreciates working with diverse populations and people of all backgrounds.

Nichole Matthews, LCSW

Nichole has a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Georgia and has been a licensed therapist since 2012. She has experience working with multiple populations in a variety of settings. Initially, she worked in community mental health with adults with severe and persistent mental illness. She has also worked in an outpatient setting doing individual and family work, as well as working with veterans. Most recently, she has worked at an inpatient facility treating co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Nichole has a passion for working with clients who are struggling with substance use disorders and other addictions. Society has such a stigma toward addiction and most don't understand the disease or how it is successfully treated. Since it's not intuitive knowledge, she gets a lot of personal fulfillment helping people with addiction, and also their families, truly begin to understand what is happening in the brain and then equip them very specific tools to start the healing process. 

Nichole wholeheartedly believes that everyone has an inherent ability to heal themselves with the right support and guidance. She is inspired daily by those who are courageous enough to take those first difficult steps to reach out and ask for help. She enjoys and welcomes working with diverse populations of people.

Demographics served include:

• Adults
• Adolescents
• Couples
• Professionals

Specialization Areas:

• Substance Use Disorders
  • Individuals
  • Families of those with SUD
• Codependency
• Trauma/PTSD
• Anxiety/Panic
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Life Transitions
• Bipolar
• Personality Disorders
• Self-Esteem

Shontel Cargill, LMFT

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who has been facilitating change for those who are greatly impacted by mental health issues, addictive diseases, and developmental disabilities for 6 years. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University. I have experience working with diverse populations in private practice, community health care, outpatient, and hospital settings. I specialize in marriage and family therapy, couples therapy, and maternal mental health. I also enjoy working with individuals on achieving their personal and professional goals in therapy.

The therapeutic interventions I use are inspired by Family Systems Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness. With a person-centered approach, I facilitate change with my clients in a non-pathologizing and curious way, so that they feel safe to tell their stories. I meet my clients where they are in their journeys, while empowering and encouraging them along the way. “Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.” -David Richo 

I like to consider myself a navigator in my clients' therapeutic process. With a combination of life experiences and therapeutic skills, I provide services that are tailored the meet the needs of each individual client. I truly have a passion and commitment to successfully assisting my clients in having a better quality of life, mentally, physically, and spiritually. 

Areas of expertise include:

• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Premarital Counseling
• Maternal Mental Health
• Christian Counseling
• Relationships 
• Life Transitions
• Teen and Young Adult Related Issues
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression 
• Grief/Loss
• Sexual Issues
• Anger Management
• Professional Development 

Populations include:

• Individuals
• Couples
• Families
• Teens
• Young Adults
• Professionals

Lasonna Rivers, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Lasonna Rivers is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, who has 11 years’ experience connecting with adolescents and adults seeking help with ADHD, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addiction and grief. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Savannah State University and received her Master of Arts in Family Counseling from South University.
Lasonna utilizes cognitive behavioral, strength based, family systems, mindfulness based, reality based, person centered and solution focused approaches to therapy while maintaining openness, building trust and showing compassion which, she feels are significant parts of the therapeutic relationship and helping individuals reach their goals and maintain progress desired.

Education

South University
Master of Arts in Family Counseling

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Self Esteem
• Anger management
• Relationship issues
• Grief and Loss
• Christian Counseling per request