ABOUT US
“Know you belong here. You belong here and everything you feel is okay.”
– ANDREA GIBSON
about us
Door of the Soul
When we become wrapped up in stuck patterns, it is often connection with others that we need most; yet what is most difficult to receive.
Most clients desire (in some capacity) to feel secure, worthy, valuable, lovable, and “normal”. It is through the process of trust, vulnerability, and connection, that we begin to see ourselves more clearly and more fully. In relationship to a trusted “other”, we gain deeper insight to our inherent value, worth, love & purpose.
We are dedicated to helping people move through their challenges and feelings of disconnection and stuck-ness, and into a life with greater vitality and meaning.
We are honored and privileged to walk with you on this
journey of being human.
“There comes a point where we need to stop pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out
why they’re falling in.
~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu
about us
Our Collective
“I know what it’s like to suffer, feel lost, and feel alone. I also know what it’s like to trust, access vulnerability, and discover true freedom and joy.”
Christy Plaice, LPC, MAC, CCT
Clinical Psychotherapist, Complex Trauma Specialist, Speaker, & Consultant
Christy Plaice is a creative light in the therapeutic community. As a licensed professional counselor in private practice she works with adolescents, adults, families, and groups. Her personalized approach and gentle honesty is rooted in humanistic, somatic attachment re-patterning, enriched in neuroscience, polyvagal theory, & experiential psychologies. She has extensive education & clinical experience working in substance abuse/addiction, PHP/IOP settings, experiential therapeutic communities, residential wilderness therapy, department of juvenile justice, and non-profit work with human sex trafficking.
In addition to her private practice work, she has completed a year-long masters class advanced program – somatic experiencing using touch therapy with complex trauma survivors.
Professional Experience
As a licensed professional counselor (LPC), I have provided psychotherapy, counseling, presentations/trainings, consultations, supervision, and leadership in a variety of arenas:
- Clinical Consultant for outpatient & residential treatment programs to provide training to direct care staff on a variety of clinical topics.
- Wilderness & experiential based programs
- Previous work with Dept of Juvenile Justice, DUI & Drug court
- Athletic counseling for injured athletes returning to their sport
Education & Credentials
- Master’s degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling
- Master’s in Addiction Counseling (MAC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia & Colorado
- Certification in Child Trauma (C.C.T.) from the American Academy of Experts in Trauma Traumatic Stress
Memberships & Associations
I am encouraged by the resilience of the human spirit. We have an incredible ability to heal and make meaning internally and rippling out into our community. I believe it is not only possible, but necessary and vital that each of us find our ways back to healing and wholeness.
I am uniquely trained in attachment re-patterning, which focuses on transforming patterns of relationship difficulties to cultivating and sustaining satisfying, safe, bonding relationships. My approach to healing is enriched with neuroscience, based in knowledge that we are hard-wired for secure bonding and change.
I am deeply honored and humbled to step into this therapeutic dynamic with you…
Philip Niekro, MS, CRC, NCC, APC
Philip Niekro, MS, CRC, NCC, APC joins our practice offering a variety of enriching counseling services for individual adults.
Philip earned his Masters degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Mercer University. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and an Associate Professional Counselor (APC).
~ Currently under the clinical supervision of Dr. Mary Gay LPC.
His experience includes individual & various dynamic group therapy settings.
Areas of training and special interest working with clients: major depression, varying degrees of anxiety, substance use disorders, enriching family support systems, & challenges with adults launching from their parents’ homes, increasing self-esteem, worthiness, and value of self & in connection with others.
Drawing from his training & eclectic theoretical orientations, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existentialism, & Brainspotting Phase 2 (BSP), Philip brings a comprehensive and client-centered approach to the counseling process. He also brings vibrancy utilizing expressive arts & other experiential tools to enhance the healing process. His personal journey in recovery enriches his professional perspectives & value in personal work.
In addition to private practice counseling, Philip works as a full-time therapist at The Summit Wellness Group, for their PHP & IOP mental health levels of care. There he leads a weekly family support group, & various client groups.
Before becoming a counselor, Philip garnered diverse experience in television and film production, a partner in a successful floral business, sales manager at a large chain bookstore, & a customer service manager for a non-profit social enterprise in Atlanta. Originally from Atlanta, Philip resides with his husband and two dogs. He enjoys domestic & international travel. In his free time, Philip also enjoys a variety of crafts such as crocheting, sewing, & painting.
David Purcell
Practice Manager
David Purcell joined Door of the Soul in 2016 and is an integral component for the practice. David is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a BBA degree in General Business. David is a results-oriented and continuous improvement-driven manager with over 30 years of experience with an accounting and finance focus. He has previously been employed with GE Capital and Automatic Data Processing prior to joining our team. His primary roles include all aspects of managing the revenue and expenses for the practice. He also ensures quality, accuracy, and HIPAA compliant confidentiality. He provides invoices and superbills for our clients.
we invite you...
Into a safe & supportive office space where you no longer have to walk your journey alone.
If you are a new client and would like to schedule a therapy session, please click here to complete a brief intake form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.