Heather C. Futral, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director of Northeast Georgia Psychological Services. Dr. Futral provides treatment to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She specializes in the assessment and treatment depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, marital difficulties, and interpersonal problems. Dr. Futral has built thriving independent practices in both the Athens and Braselton areas. She annually supervises licensed psychologists and postdoctoral fellows in psychology. She has presented at multiple local and state conferences. Dr. Futral has been qualified as an expert witness in several court jurisdictions in Georgia. She is an active member of the Georgia Psychological Association. In addition to general practice, Dr. Futral has a great deal of experience with complex cases, disability issues, employment and medical screenings, and other fitness for duty evaluations. She supports the community through many forms of philanthropy. Dr. Futral graduated Summa Cum Laude with Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Columbia University, an Ivy league institution. She earned her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. She completed an APA-accredited internship program at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri, where she provided assessment and counseling services to children, adults, families, and couples. She completed over 2000 hours of postdoctoral training at Positive Outcomes Psychological Services in Athens, Georgia.
Shelby Byrd, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Assessment Director of Northeast Georgia Psychological Services who joined the practice in August 2021. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia College & State University in 2012, a master’s degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Valdosta State University in 2014, and a PhD in School Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2019. She completed an APA-accredited internship at the Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology – Boys Town. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health in Omaha, where she practiced for an additional year as a staff psychologist prior to returning to her home state of GA. Dr. Byrd provides individual and family therapy for children, adolescents and young adults who are experiencing various social/emotional and behavioral concerns. Her primary areas of expertise include anxiety, OCD, depression, self-harm behaviors, unhealthy eating, interpersonal/family conflict, and habits (hair pulling, fingernail biting, skin picking behaviors). She utilizes evidence-based approaches when working with clients, including acceptance- and mindfulness-based CBT and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Dr. Byrd also has extensive training and experience in providing parent behavioral management training and parent-client interaction therapy (PCIT) to address behavior problems at home.
Debbie Gunnin, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who joined the practice in September 2019. She earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kansas in 1996. She completed an APA-accredited internship program in clinical psychology and a post-doctoral fellowship in forensic psychology at Western Missouri Mental Health Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Gunnin has over 25 years of experience as a practicing psychologist, doing forensic psychological evaluations, general psychological evaluations, psychotherapy, and supervision of mental health providers. At Northeast Georgia Psychological Services, Dr. Gunnin provides psychotherapy to adults and older teenagers. She uses an integrative/cognitive approach to psychotherapy. She enjoys helping people improve their relationships, increase self-confidence, enhance coping skills, and live life more fully. She specializes in helping people cope with stress, depression, anger, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, substance abuse, and other problems.
Candice Gore, Psy.D., L.P.C. is a licensed professional counselor who joined the practice in July 2024. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia (2005) and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia (2008). She began her doctorate training at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology and completed her diagnostic practicum with the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She then transferred to the Florida School of Professional Psychology in Tampa, Florida where she obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2022). She completed an APA-accredited internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler, Texas, and completed an APPIC postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Clinic. She has provided mental health services for over 16 years, serving individuals across the lifespan. Currently, Dr. Gore is primarily conducting comprehensive assessments for children, adolescents, and adults, who are presenting with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or psychological disorders. She strives to support those in need and provide individuals and families with compassion and guidance through the evaluation process.
Gretchen Gendreau, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist in Georgia and Washington State. Dr. Gendreau earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, followed by her Master’s and Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University. She completed an APA-accredited internship in behavioral medicine through the National Psychology Training Consortium. Dr. Gendreau has experience from diverse clinical settings, including community mental health, university student counseling services, bariatric medicine, and adolescent outpatient care within partial hospitalization programs for at-risk youth. She specializes in adolescent psychotherapy, comprehensive psychological assessments across the lifespan, and parent consultation.Her clinical approach integrates evidence-based practices from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as research on adverse childhood experiences and their impact into adulthood.
Cameron Blake, PsyD, LPC, CPCS is a licensed psychologist who joined the practice in 2026. He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2007 at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology and became licensed as an LPC in 2010. He earned his Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2017 at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Phillips State Prison in Buford, Georgia in 2018, and became a licensed psychologist in 2019. He has experience treating psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, and non-suicidal self-injury. Primarily he utilizes skills from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. His clinical experiences include individual and group therapy, diagnostic assessment, training both mental health and non-mental health service providers, and clinical supervision. At Northeast Georgia Psychological Services, Dr. Blake is seeing clients for diagnostic assessment.
Vanessa Pellicci, L.C.S.W. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist with 25 years of experience. She graduated in 1999 from Concordia College in Bronxville NY with a bachelor of science degree in social work earning her BSW. She completed her master’s degree in clinical social work and psychology from Fordham University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2001. She worked at St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Hospital in Harrison NY for 18 years working on the acute inpatientpsychiatric unit both as a discharge planner and psychiatric social worker, as well as primary therapist in the outpatient partial hospital program working with high-risk patients providing individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and substance abuse treatment. In 2006 she started her private practice offering psychotherapy. In 2018 she joined Northeast Georgia Psychological Services group practice working with children, adolescents and adults. She specializes in working with client’s diagnosed with serious mental illness, substance abuse, attachment disorders, ADHD as well as children and adults diagnosed with Autism. Vanessa Pellicci is board certified by the International Board of Coaches and Practitioners as a Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). She is certified as a Clinical Hypnotist, practitioner of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and TIMES Techniques and a certified Life and Success Coach. She also works as an Immigration Evaluation Specialist. She is very blessed to help clients heal their past trauma and transform their lives to be the best version of themselves.
David Johns, L.C.S.W. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in direct mental health practice, specializing in youth and adults. He is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy and holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia, along with a BBA and a certification in Education Leadership from UGA. Throughout his career, David has gained extensive experience in direct practice, non-profit and public-school administration, and professional development both in metropolitan Atlanta and across the nation. He has a demonstrated history of achieving positive outcomes when working with young people, adults, and families facing mental health challenges and other difficulties. In addition, David has over a decade of experience in law enforcement, having served in roles such as patrol officer, gang interdiction, investigations, crime prevention, and School Resource Officer (SRO). His background in the criminal and juvenile justice systems has equipped him with a broad perspective across manyareas. David’s practice encompasses a wide range of issues affecting youth and adults, from adjustment challenges to more severe mental and behavioral health disorders. He utilizes treatment approaches that include CognitiveBehavioral Therapy (CBT), strengths-based methods, solution-focused strategies, acceptance therapy, and the effects of health and fitness on mental well-being. His practice philosophy emphasizes collaboration with clients to develop effective strategies to address identified problems.
Heather Mathis, L.P.C. is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, severe and persistent mental illnesses, infertility, premarital counseling, and relationship issues. Heather is experienced in working with men, women, couples along with LGBTQ+ community. Heather graduated from Brenau University with a Master’s in Clinical Counseling Psychology and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral and Reality therapy. She has been in the mental health field for over 10 years and is very passionate about her work with the family violence intervention program.
Ashley “Kaz” Lundi, L.P.C. is a Licensed Professional Counselor who obtained a Masters degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2021. She walks alongside adults and couples to help them make changes aligned with what is most important to them. She utilizes acceptance and commitment, psychodynamic, and person-centered therapies to aid clients with a variety of issues, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, trauma, grief, anger, substance use and other addictions, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, she is trained in exposure and response prevention (ERP). She is also an LGBTQ+ ally. Ashley strives to create a safe space for clients to heal, grow, and reconnect to what matters and is humbled by the honor associated with assisting them in moving forward on their life journey.
Arika Hefner, L.P.C., RPT™: is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) that graduated from Brenau University in 2018 and is also a Registered Play Therapist (RPT™) and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS). She has been working with children ages one and up and their families for over 8 years and practices from a trauma-informed, attachment-based, and child-centered model. She strives to use integrative approaches to meet her client’s individual needs. Arika also has specialized experience in treating toddlers, children, and teenagers that have experienced trauma, sexual abuse, and/or are exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors. She is trained in the use of Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and is a Certified Autplay Therapy provider. Arika is a Triple P accredited provider and provides positive parenting support as well. In addition, Arika provides supervision for those seeking to become fully licensed therapists and provides training in the state of Georgia. She has presented at The Northeast Georgia Trauma Conference and Annual LPCA Convention and Regional Conference.
Lindsay Pittman, L.P.C. is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with clients with a variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, ADHD, adjustment disorders and other behavior concerns. She works with children 9 and over, teens and adults from a person-centered lens. Lindsay is trained in TF-CBT and uses an integrative approach including ACT, DBT, and CBT to meet clients’ individual needs. She completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and Psychology at Brenau University.
Tiffany Maas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who earned her Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of West Georgia in 1999. She provides developmentally appropriate, strengths-based support through individual, family, and couples counseling for individuals ages 4 and up. Grounded in humanistic psychology, Tiffany strives to create a collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel respected, understood, and supported. She works with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and life-transition concerns, honoring each client’s unique perspective, values, and innate capacity for growth and change.
Shannon O’Carroll, A.P.C. is a compassionate counselor who graduated in 2023 with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Georgia. She works with adults, teens, and couples facing a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship challenges. Together, we’ll explore your goals, identify barriers, and develop strategies for positive change. Shannon’s approach is person-centered. She prioritizes creating a safe, empathetic environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment. In addition to her person-centered foundation, she incorporates Brainspotting techniques, which can help facilitate deeper emotional processing and trauma resolution. For couples, she utilizes Gottman methods, which are grounded in research and designed to enhance communication, understanding, and intimacy.