Scroll Top

About

Meet Our Therapists

Our therapists are united under one mission: to provide culturally humble, affirming treatment to help people, specifically those who hold marginalized identities, create a meaningful and purpose-driven life. While connected under this mission, our therapists offer specialized areas of expertise and provide a therapy experience that is unique to their individual therapeutic styles. Our therapists are also extensively trained in their areas of expertise to ensure the highest quality care.

DR. MAHKADA TAYLOR

My name is Dr. Mahkada Taylor and I commend you for taking the first step in creating a life that you love. I am the Founder of Pathways to Freedom and a licensed Psychologist serving adults of all ages. I am deeply passionate about working with clients who have experienced relational trauma and facilitating healing around its impact on current relationships and overall wellbeing.  I also specialize in working with immigrants, professionals and entrepreneurs who are dealing with depression, anxiety, or feeling unfulfilled in life.

As a U.S. immigrant who holds several marginalized identities, I understand first-hand the importance of finding a therapist you “click” with; one that you feel comfortable to speak your truth and share your full experience. Read on to get  a sense of who I am and how I can help you to build the life that you’ve always wanted.

To schedule with me please email frontdesk@ptfmentalwellness.com

 

She designed a life that she loved. – Unknown

So many of us are in the midst of experiencing life challenges that cause us pain. These challenges take many forms – family issues, health concerns, loneliness, financial strain, anxiety about the future…Sometimes, what may be causing us distress are dreams that have gone unfulfilled; life not going as planned. For many of us, we’ve struggled with such questions as, “Am I enough?”, “Who has my back?”, “Will I ever have the life that I want?”

I provide individual and group psychotherapy with the goal of helping you better understand the sources of your pain, thereby opening new pathways to relieving your suffering. With this clarity, we will work together to help you to move toward the life you deserve, on your own terms. I will walk alongside you in your journey and bear witness to your lived experience, paying special attention to your unique context, culture, identities, values and goals. It’s not easy to share the most vulnerable parts of ourselves. I will provide you with a safe, non-judgmental environment which promotes healing and will empower you to build the life you’ve always wanted.

My therapeutic approach is rooted in relational and psychodynamic theories with a foundation in multiculturally responsive therapy. As you share your concerns and experiences, I’m continually formulating and refining my understanding of the root of your suffering, factors that are maintaining your pain, and barriers to you having the life that you want. This is a collaborative process, as I regularly share my thoughts and solicit your feedback.

A deeper understanding of you as a person often requires exploration of present and past relationships and experiences that have shaped your understanding of yourself and others. The intersections of your identities have no doubt also impacted your lived experience, access to resources and options, and has had a great impact on the way you’ve navigated life. I work collaboratively with you to illuminate these factors, and help you to experiment with new behaviors and approaches to enable you to build a life that is meaningful to you – a life of which you are proud. You deserve the time and investment in yourself…you deserve to be free. Let’s get started!

My extensive clinical training and experience have uniquely positioned me to meet your needs. I earned my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Howard University, and received training at various settings including university counseling centers, community mental-health settings, forensic settings and the public school system.

Since 2012, I have provided individual and group therapy in several university counseling centers across the U.S. I created Pathways to Freedom to take this life-changing therapy work to clients in the two regions that I call home – the U.S. and the Caribbean.

In addition to my education and work experience, I bring my heart and soul to this work. I was drawn to the field of Psychology after addressing my own pain through therapy. I know firsthand what it’s like to begin counseling with a new therapist and navigate the therapy journey. The tremendous benefits that I gained from my personal therapy motivated me to pay it forward by pursuing a career in Psychology.

My personal experience allows me to relate to your humanity and be present with you as you begin your therapy journey. I look forward to helping you to co-create your life – your future awaits!

DR. HANNAH WARSHOWSKY

Greetings! I am a Psychology Resident at Pathways to Freedom Mental Wellness Services offering individual therapy to adults of all ages in Georgia. My expertise includes anxiety, relationship concerns, emotional disconnect, body image, identity exploration and grief.  I am a sex-positive clinician with extensive training working with sexual functioning concerns for clients of all sexual and gender identities. I have special interest and expertise working with millennials, womxn, LGBT folks, kink/non-monogamous individuals and people from religious minority backgrounds.

At the core, I believe that a combination of feeling truly seen, illumination of unhelpful patterns, and a place to explore your inner truths can promote a space of healing.  I truly think that everyone can grow from emotional pain to live a more empowered life. Read on for more information about my approach to therapy and professional experience.

You can contact me directly at drhannah@ptfmentalwellness.com

I know it can be hard to start therapy or to share our true emotional selves with a new person (even over video!) I therefore use my genuine warmth and empathy to cultivate an organic space for you to share your story. I view you as an expert on yourself and will encourage you to listen to your own inner wisdom throughout our time together.

My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from relational, humanistic, feminist, multicultural, and mindfulness-based perspectives. I value processing how intersectional identities and structures of oppression contribute to distress and pain.  I seek to collaborate with you to understand your concerns within your worldview. I also often use mindfulness-based approaches to assist in both experiencing painful emotions and to nurture self-compassion.  I believe that healing happens within a supportive space with well-timed, conscientious challenging.

I earned my Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Florida and have received training at several university counseling centers and community mental-health centers.  Furthermore, I have specialized training in increasing sexual pleasure and functioning.  As a previous instructor of The Psychology of Human Sexuality course at the University of Florida, I am very comfortable talking openly about sexual concerns (trouble reaching orgasm, lack of desire, sexual communication with a partner, etc.).

I believe that my training enables me to create a comfortable space to freely unpack a whole range of sensitive topics that may be weighing on you.  Additionally, I use my down to earth nature, compassion, intuition, natural curiosity,  – and sometimes even humor- to gently guide your growth.  Together, we can explore experiences, emotions or barriers preventing you from living your most meaningful life.  I have seen how the combination of a trusting therapeutic relationship, honoring your inner truths, and compassionately connecting to your emotions can nurture lasting change.  I am excited to embark on this journey with you!

Kalyn Wilson, LCSW

My name is Kalyn Wilson, LCSW, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Pathways to Freedom Mental Wellness Services offering individual therapy to adults of all ages in Georgia. I specialize in working with high-achieving college students, entrepreneurs, and professional women who are facing challenging life transitions, relationship struggles, anxiety, depression, trauma, body image concerns, burnout, and identity concerns

I believe we get “unstuck” and heal when we feel seen and have a safe space to be truly vulnerable, curious, and fully in our bodies. I help clients unpack the patterns, beliefs, and narratives we carry that co-create our experiences and often stand in our way. I am honored to help clients gain deep insight and cultivate practical tools needed to forge the fulfilling lives we desire and deserve.

To schedule with me please email kwilsonlmsw@ptfmentalwellness.com

I believe that when we are in emotional pain or struggling to enact change in our lives, therapy can help us remove the blocks to the insight and resources we need to achieve healing. Instead of seeing clients as “broken” and needing to be “fixed,” I view the therapeutic process as helping you to get unburdened by the hurts and challenges you’ve faced, so that you can freely seek the healing you desire. I conceptualize your concerns, or “burdens and blocks”, according to a systems lens, which takes into account the differential impact that intersecting identities, environments, oppressions, and experiences have on you and your reality.

My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from psychodynamic, interpersonal process, relational-cultural, narrative, and mindfulness-based approaches. These approaches are designed to help you become more connected with yourself so that you can understand the sources of your pain and the patterns that co-create your reality.

I partner with you in moving towards your therapy goals by not only getting clear on your pain, but also identifying your needs and values. I often use real-time reactions—both yours and mine—in the sessions to help you “connect the dots” between your outward experiences and your internal processes. I also use mind-body approaches and Black feminist schools of thought to help you get truly vulnerable—we will move beyond socially-constructed beliefs and assumptions about what the “answer to your problem” is, and instead, help you dig deep to be radically present and empowered in your healing journey. I believe that we heal when we safely go within to inform who we are on the outside. I help you to do this by supporting you in feeling seen, being open to both therapeutic challenge and support, and authentically using your voice.

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I completed my graduate practicum training at Duke University Counseling and Psychological Services, and later completed a two-year post-graduate social work fellowship at Emory University Counseling and Psychological Services. My social work training background and interests include providing counseling, case management, and clinical services at magnet-public education institutions, university counseling centers, nonprofits, social ventures, and private practice. My research background includes culturally-responsive couples therapy, intersectionality and Black feminist/womanist approaches to wellness services, social innovation, and the intersections of mental health with education and sports.

My multi-passionate background in mental health has helped me build an expansive understanding of how our world affects our emotional well-being. In addition to my training, I enjoy bringing my authentic self to the room, as a part of my relational-cultural approach to therapy. I use everything from my own lived experiences to humor and art to forge deep connections with clients. In doing so, I believe we build stronger grounding for our reparative and restorative work to safely and genuinely unfold.

Dr. Romero Huffstead

Welcome! My name is Dr. Romero Huffstead and I am a Staff Therapist at Pathways to Freedom Mental Wellness Services. I offer individual and couples counseling to adults of all ages in Georgia. My clinical specialties include: anxiety, depression, stress management, anger management, adjustment concerns, family concerns, relationship concerns, interpersonal concerns, academic concerns, career concerns, and trauma. In addition, I specialize in working with professionals, entrepreneurs, athletes, and military veterans.

We can all benefit from having someone to talk to when life presents various challenges and things become overwhelming. In my work, I value creating a therapeutic space where clients can share their experiences, feel heard, feel validated, and receive effective strategies to help achieve their goals. I acknowledge that seeking help is not always easy which is why I emphasize quality care, authenticity, and a trusting relationship with my clients. I commend you for taking the first step in receiving support! Click on the tabs below for more information about my approach to therapy and professional experience.

You can contact me directly at drhuffstead@ptfmentalwellness.com for scheduling and availability.

My role as your therapist is to work collaboratively with you to better understand your presenting concerns, develop goals for therapy to help assess your progress, and create a treatment plan that is sensitive to your needs. Clinically, I approach therapy from an integrative perspective that is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I value creating a supportive, genuine, and trusting environment for clients of all backgrounds.

The therapeutic relationship is important in being able to achieve successful outcomes. Therefore, building rapport and earning your trust is paramount in my work and is one my strengths as a clinician. I will work with you to explore: your presenting concerns, the emotional impact, your thoughts and beliefs related to the difficulties you are experiencing, your strengths, areas of growth, your current support systems/coping strategies, and use these data points to tailor effective therapeutic interventions to help you achieve your goals. I will help empower you to overcome the challenges you are experiencing while also equipping you with new skills. I want you to succeed and I want to help you to live a fulfilling life. I am deeply honored to do this work and I am passionate about my clients achieving optimal mental and physical wellness.

I am originally from Chicago, IL and moved to Atlanta in 2017. I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana State University, and B.A. in Psychology from Denison University. In addition, I completed my APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University. I have extensive experience providing individual, group, and couples counseling through multiple university counseling centers and community mental health centers during my training and as a professional. These experiences have allowed me to treat clients from diverse backgrounds with a wide array of presenting concerns.

On a personal note, I enjoy family time with my wife and son, playing basketball, watching Chicago sports (Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and Cubs), watching movies, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and trying new foods!