Wanda Collins, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

"PSYCHOTHERAPY & CONSULTATION SERVICES, LLC" I am a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience providing psychotherapy, clinical supervision, training, administration, and consultation. Prior to opening my private practice, I worked in higher education as a director of counseling services and in other administrator roles at Emory University, Duke University, and American University. With over two decades working in Higher Education settings, my clinical experience best aligns with high achieving individuals facing both personal and relational issues, often navigating complex environments and situations. I have particular interest in empowering women, particularly during times of transition. This includes navigating the challenges of college, graduate, and/or professional school; finding one's path and juggling the multiple life demands of adulthood; struggling with career uncertainty; managing the changes, challenges, and gifts of middle age; navigating the changes associated with growing older; dealing with loss; and thriving in retirement. APPROACH TO INDIVIDUAL THERAPY I believe that we all come into this world with unique gifts and traits that provide a framework for who we are. That framework is further shaped - in both healthy and painful ways - by life experiences with family, peers, loved ones, work, identity development, gender roles, and society. Psychotherapy offers us the opportunity to understand how we've come to be the person we are today, make peace with the past, recognize our unique gifts, and move into the future with a clearer vision of the life we want to create and how to get there. As a therapist, I feel incredibly blessed to be able to participate in this amazing journey with clients who are on a path of self-discovery and healing. Therapy can be uncomfortable and painful at times, but it is also a pathway to hope, greater intimacy, a sense of agency, self-love, and deep joy! My approach to therapy is to be an active, trusted partner with you in your developmental journey of self-discovery and healing. My intention is to be an attentive listener, emotionally present, caring, non-judgmental, transparent, and direct in providing feedback. I am invested in helping you meet your therapy goals. My theoretical perspective incorporates psychodynamic, existential, multicultural, and trauma informed frameworks. I believe the process of change in therapy happens as you: (1) gain insight into the themes and relational patterns in your life, many of which you may not be consciously aware of yet; (2) better understand your internal world including your emotions, fantasies, dreams, and bodily reactions to stress; (3) appreciate the external, societal, and systemic factors influencing your life circumstances; and (4) are able to take responsibility for your life choices and your unique process of individuation as you strive to become the best version of yourself. I am flexible in my approach and work to match your unique needs and therapy goals. For some clients, this might include very brief, solution-focused therapy/consultation about a specific issue (4-12 sessions), brief therapy (12-52 sessions), or longer-term treatment (1-2+ years). Together, we can evaluate how your needs are being met in therapy and determine next steps. LOCATION OF PRACTICE I offer in-person and telehealth appointments for Georgia residents and telehealth for North Carolina residents. My office is located in downtown Decatur, Georgia. There is free parking on-site (with a voucher that I can provide). I also have an active Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) granted from the PSYPACT Commission. PSYPACT is an interstate compact that allows psychologists licensed in PSYPACT to practice telepsychology in other PSYPACT participating states. FEES & INSURANCE Specific fee information about my practice can be found at the bottom of this page in the "services" section. I am an in-network provider for Aetna Insurance via Headway, an insurance billing company. If you have Aetna, you can schedule your consultation via the Headway platform at: https://headway.co/providers/wanda-collins?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=71208. For all other insurance plans, I am considered an "out-of-network" provider. If your health insurance carrier allows you to choose an out-of-network provider, I can provide you with documentation to seek reimbursement. I encourage you to ask your insurance carrier the following questions: (a) What are my mental health benefits and how many sessions are covered per calendar year? (b) How much does my plan cover for "out-of-network" psychologists? (c) What is my deductible and has it been met for this year? and (d) Is pre-certification required? NEXT STEPS If you would like to talk with me about possibly working together, please email me to schedule a free, 20-minute consultation appointment. If it makes sense to move forward after that, I will send you some preliminary paperwork and we can schedule an initial appointment to gather more in-depth information. The initial assessment phase can last from 1-3 sessions. During that time, we can determine if engaging in therapy with me makes sense or if your treatment needs would be better served with a different provider. I would like to congratulate you for taking this important step on your path to healing and self-discovery. It takes a lot of courage to begin the therapy process and, whether it's with me or another therapist, I wish you well on your journey.