Meet Us

Please note that our practice does not provide 24/7 on-call services.  If you need assistance immediately, please contact one of the agencies listed on our RESOURCES page

Current Clinicians

Sallie Mack, PhD
(she/her/hers)

StorieBrook Associate

Sallie sees clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!

Sallie is in the process of onboarding with our insurance billing system, Headway, and will be able to bill some insurers directly soon.  She is also in the process of becoming a PsyPact provider, and will be able to see clients in 40+ states and territories.  


I received my PhD in Clinical/Counseling Psychology at Utah State University, though I’ve long considered the Atlanta area home. I completed my APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Atlanta VA Medical Center and my post-doctoral residency

with Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Hospital.


I view therapy as a collaborative process, one that is rooted first and foremost in the therapeutic relationship. Thus, I prioritize building genuine relationships with clients where they can feel safe to be their most vulnerable and authentic selves.


My training included multiple theoretical approaches, including cognitive-behavioral treatments, person-centered therapy, attachment theory, and interpersonal process theory. I often draw from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as I appreciate their focus on increasing self-understanding and utilizing skills to help us feel more empowered to experience difficult emotions without feeling overcome by them. In doing this we can increase our effectiveness in living our lives in ways we find most meaningful.


My approach to therapy is influenced by multicultural theory, feminist theory, liberation psychology, and disability justice (my favorite soapbox!). Our experiences are shaped by who we are – both in the identities we choose and the ones we’re assigned – and therapy can be a place to unpack how societal standards have impacted us. 


I currently have openings for individual therapy clients, and I am excited to work with people on a wide range of presenting concerns and goals, including emotion

dysregulation, trauma and adversity (PTSD, relational trauma, childhood trauma, discrimination, etc), relationship issues, identity exploration or concerns, depression, anxiety, grief, life changes, and existential concerns. I am passionate about working with LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse clients, which is what brought me to StorieBrook.

Charlotte Cowles, M.A., LAPC* (she/her/hers) 

StorieBrook Associate

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor

Charlotte sees clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!


I’m passionate about helping people live their happiest and most authentic lives. My goal is to create an open, accepting, and non-judgmental space for all clients. I strive to meet each client where they are in their journey and work with them to make therapy effective. My practice is generally based in psychodynamic theory, but I also love using humor and techniques from the CBT, ACT, person-centered, and multicultural/feminist theories. I believe that context and past experiences contribute to who you are and how you see and experience much of the world. Tapping into these factors can be helpful in identifying areas of strength and growth. However, everyone is different and may benefit from various approaches to therapy and to overall well-being. 

 

I recently graduated from Northwestern University with my master’s in clinical mental health counseling. I completed my practicum and internship at The Center for Growth in Philadelphia, where I primarily saw clients struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship, and sexual concerns. I also have a passion for working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and young adults navigating identity development and life transitions. 


I received my B.A. in Political Science at Vanderbilt University. I grew up in New York City and London, England, and lived in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia before moving to Atlanta last year.

 

Personal Interests: travel, dogs (including my black lab Oscar), food, realty and non-reality TV, historical and true crime podcasts (bonus if they are both!), golf, Formula 1, spending time with family and friends.

*Charlotte is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD and Melvin Tillman, PhD consistent with GA Rule 135. 

Heather-Leigh Owens Nies, LMSW* (she/her/hers)

StorieBrook Associate

Licensed Master Social Worker

Heather Leigh sees clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!

I cannot imagine a life without the constant drive to learn and grow. As a social worker, I lean into that inherent curiosity. I value my play and fun. Too often, we forget that we learn just as much through play as we do through a challenge. I am a student. A fighter. An advocate. A therapist.

I have an Associates of the Arts in Theatre from Gordon College, a Bachelor of Arts in Production and Performance from Agnes Scott College and a Master Social Work degree from the university of Georgia. At UGA, I specialized in Marriage and Family Therapy, Nonprofit Management and Leadership. I also hold a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from University of South Florida.

My current theoretical orientation/specialization is in an eclectic practice of strength-based somatic therapies that emphasize social justice, empathy, accessibility, and advocacy in clinical mental health. Specifically, I choose to work in private clinical practice to serve the intersection of LGBTQIA+/Kink/CNM/polyamorous populations. My practice is person-centered, and I aim to meet you where you are.

While I specialize in Somatic (Body-centered)therapies, I know that no one modality-will  fits all clients’ needs. As a social worker, I am able to bring a lens of intersectionality and systemic interaction to client sessions. I believe that all things are connected and that the most significant value is personal autonomy. Those two statements may seem dialectical, and it behooves us to explore the “sticky bits” in between to better ourselves and the interlocking systems of our identity and society. I am continuously working to be a more intentionally culturally competent practitioner.

I am not the expert. My clients are experts in themselves. I am simply an educated and informed collaborator.

*Heather-Leigh is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD, Shannon Mathis Meyer, LCSW, and Sander T. Jones, LCSW consistent with GA Rule 135.

Danyelle Denham, MSW*
(she/her/hers)

StorieBrook Associate


Danyelle sees clients on WEEKENDS virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!


My approach to therapy is to pull from the humanist/person-centered and strength-based practices. These philosophies resonate with my own philosophies and I have combined my education, training, and natural empathy for others into an informed approach to my client’s therapeutic needs. I strive to provide a space where my clients can be their authentic selves without judgement and to collaborate with them to find the tools to help them achieve the goals they set while in therapy.


I work with a broad range of needs including help with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, body image/self-esteem, stress management, etc. by integrating different methods and skills to meet the individual needs of my clients. My special area of interest is to provide strong support for the members of the LGBTQIA+, Kink, Polyamorous, and Ethically Non-Monogamous communities. As a member of these communities, I've come to understand the tremendous need for mental healthcare that embraces the dynamics and identities within these communities. Through my interactions within these communities and my education, I have gained insight into sexual and gender-identity issues, hoping to help individuals who identify as members of these groups with their unique challenges.


Education: I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University in 2018 and my Master of Social Work degree from University of Georgia in 2023.


Personal Interests: Dragons, books (primarily science fiction and fantasy), cats, Star Wars, board games, kink/BDSM education, spending time with my loved ones 


*Danyelle is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD and Sander T. Jones, LCSW consistent with GA Rule 135.


Licensed Psychologist
StorieBrook Founder & Owner

Dr. Kieran clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and currently has a waitlist for new clients.

A graduate of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida with Bachelors degrees in History and Psychology, I received my Masters and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. Prior to opening a private practice in Atlanta in 2007, I worked for Regis University in Denver and Georgia State University in Atlanta - providing clinical services for students in both positions. 

In addition to running StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting,  I teach in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University, and provide continuing education workshops for other mental health professionals, particularly in the areas of sexual, gender and relational diversity, locally and nationally. I am also a leader, and a Past-President, of my professional association - the Georgia Psychological Association.  


While a "generalist" in practice, I have particular interests in the areas of:


Personal interests: Books, tea, queer fiction & romance, more tea, dogs,  narrative nonfiction, history, horses, historical fiction, cycling, romance novels, national parks, speculative fiction/fantasy, bit more tea, lots of crafts, cooking for my heart family, and acquiring journals & planners!

Rachel's Personal Theory of Counseling:

“a person is a fluid process, not a fixed and static entity; a flowing river of change, not a block of solid material;
a continually changing constellation of potentialities, not a fixed quantity of traits.”
― Dr. Carl R. Rogers, On Becoming A Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy 


I believe that a comfortable, non-judgmental environment; demonstrating congruence; empathy and unconditional positive regard are all essential to therapy, however sometimes, the addition of more directive approaches is necessary. I do naturally bring these basics into the room with me, and believe deeply in the importance of transparency, authentic valuing of the person and true empathy.

“Psychotherapy is, in essence, a cure through love.” – Sigmund Freud

I am aware that we all carry developmental wounds with us throughout our lives. We all long for the resolution to an emotional wound, and must work towards recognition of ways that we are replaying a pattern in new relationships.

I believe that our prior relationships are those which form the templates from which we interact with all subsequent individuals, and that much of our behavior in the world is informed by trying to resolve some old wound in order to feel free to move on to new experiences. This awareness can be a real struggle, as it can often take a long time for us to simply reach an understanding that there might be a connection between a contemporary problem and an older relationship, however there is a magic in seeing someone begin to heal these older relationships, either by letting go, or by making amends or coming to peace with that person, that is very gratifying when it does happen.

My goal as a therapist is always to reduce human suffering, and to empower people to change their experience in the world. That said, the client’s ultimate responsibility for change lies with themselves. I remain incredibly empathic to the many, many struggles that my clients face, however believe that there is always something, albeit small, that clients can do to make positive change in their lives, and want to help empower you to begin with even that one small step or perspective shift.

My heart, and my love and caring for people in places of pain, is and I suspect always will be, the biggest feature of what I offer to my clients; however I help them challenge themselves to better understanding of the place in which they stand, how they got there, and where they can journey from that place. I want them to understand that they are on a path, and that they have the power to choose where to go from here.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
–Ursula K. LeGuin

StorieBrook Distinguished Alumni 

- no longer seeing clients with us, but always a part of our community

Dawn Quintanilla, MFT
(she/they)

Dawn is a post-graduate, pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over eight years of experience. She specializes in working with kink communities, ethically non-monogamous (ENM) and polyamorous relationships, and BIPOC populations, with a focus on decolonization and reindigenization. Dawn is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ clients, particularly those who identify as non-binary, agender, and transgender. Her work primarily addresses sexual shame and trauma, and she is also a certified Erotic Blueprint™ Coach.


Dawn has experience providing therapy to individuals, dyads, triads, and various relational configurations, with an emphasis on relational issues, sex therapy, communication tools, and daily life skill-building.


 Her theoretical orientation includes family systems therapy, solution-focused approaches, internal family systems, and some somatic and mindfulness-based practices. Additionally, Dawn is a certified Usui Reiki Practitioner and integrates sacred practices into therapy as desired by clients.


In her personal life, Dawn enjoys tending to plants, playing chess, watching girli-pop TV shows and movies, listening to Phish, and making "potions." She shares her life with two beloved puppies and a wonderful partner.

Aaliyah Green, M.A., M.S. (she/her/hers) 

I believe that therapy should promote healing, growth, and self-discovery, which reflects my style of relating to clients. I strive to maintain a compassionate and non-judgmental environment so that each person I connect with feels safe and understood. 


I obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in psychology from Bethune-Cookman University and a Master of Arts (MA) degree from the University of Central Florida. My clinical experience includes interpersonal therapy, diagnostic assessment, and clinical interviewing. My clinical interests include mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, adults, and health psychology.  


Some of my favorite hobbies include being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and working on interior design projects! 

Emma Hickey, LMSW (she/her/hers)

Education: MSW Kennesaw State University, B.S. Psychology Kennesaw State University 

 

Professional Interests: Young Adult, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis, Relationships, Social Justice, Body Image, Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating, Community Outreach, Creative Therapeutic Expression 

 

Therapeutic Style: Client centered approach which focuses on and emphasizes client’s individual strengths and empowers clients to decide what is best for them. Integrating Cognitive Behavioral techniques to help identify the connection of thought, behavior, and emotion. Focus on interpersonal relationships and self-talk via storytelling. Utilizing narrative therapy techniques to empower clients to become the authors of their own stories. Incorporating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills to provide in the moment relief to intense emotions. 

 

Personal Interests: Music, Travel, Taylor Swift, True Crime Podcasts, Spending time with friends and family