Meet Madeline

Hi, I’m Madeline, and I help kids, teens, and families untangle anxiety and OCD — one small, brave step at a time.

If you’re reading this, chances are your child’s world has started to shrink under the weight of worry. Maybe they’ve always been a little anxious — the cautious, thoughtful one — but lately, it’s taken over. You’ve watched them get caught in loops of “what if,” stuck in rituals or reassurance-seeking that only help for a moment. You’ve tried to reason, reassure, and calm — and somehow, it just keeps getting worse.

And maybe you’re feeling it too: the tension in your own chest, the exhaustion that comes from tiptoeing around triggers, and the fear that you’re running out of ideas.

You’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong.

You and your child are just stuck in a cycle that we can change.

I'm ready for change

Kids start seeing anxiety not as something to fear, but as something to understand and outsmart.

At Brave Lives Counseling, my approach starts with understanding — because anxiety and OCD lose a lot of their power once we understand how they work.

When kids (and parents!) learn what’s actually happening in the brain, the whole process starts to make sense. That “why” behind the worry is the foundation for everything we do next.

I use evidence-based therapy, especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is the gold-standard treatment for OCD and anxiety. But what really makes it work is how we do it — with patience, humor, and connection. We go step-by-step, at a pace that builds confidence instead of overwhelm.

We use visuals, stories, and small experiments that make big concepts feel concrete. Kids start seeing anxiety not as something to fear, but as something to understand and outsmart.

Therapy with me often sounds like:

  • “Let’s figure out what your brain is trying to do here.”

  • “How can we help you feel brave enough to do the opposite of what anxiety wants?”

  • “Parents, here’s what’s happening when you give reassurance — and what to do instead.”

And for parents, we work together to shift the family’s patterns — because anxiety doesn’t just affect one person. It ripples through everyone. You’ll learn when to step in, when to step back, and how to support bravery without feeding fear.

The goal? Not to make anxiety disappear, but to help your child feel capable of handling it — so life gets bigger again.

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But here’s what I’ve also seen: anxious kids are incredibly brave.

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Why I LOVE This Work

I’ve always been fascinated by how kids make sense of their world — how their thoughts, fears, and imaginations shape everything they do. Over the years, I’ve seen how anxiety and OCD can twist those same beautiful traits — creativity, caution, sensitivity — into something that feels unbearable.

But here’s what I’ve also seen: anxious kids are incredibly brave.

They wake up every day and face things that terrify them — and they do it while their brains are sounding constant false alarms. They’re not broken or weak. They’re doing their best with a nervous system that’s just a little too alert.

And parents? You’re some of the most courageous people I know. You’re managing your own fear while trying to help your child manage theirs. You’re showing up, trying new things, and holding on to hope even when you’re exhausted.

Watching families move from confusion and chaos to understanding and confidence is the best part of my job. There’s nothing like seeing a child say, “I did it — even though I was scared,” and seeing a parent’s shoulders finally drop with relief.

That moment is everything.

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What does therapy look like?

It's Time to Change

When you first come in, we’ll start by slowing things down and getting the full picture of what’s been happening. I want to know how anxiety or OCD shows up for your child — what it looks like, what it sounds like, and what’s been hardest for you as a parent.

From there, I’ll teach your child (and you) how anxiety works — using simple, visual language that actually clicks. Once everyone understands the pattern, we’ll start gently interrupting it.

Therapy might look like:

  • Naming the tricks anxiety plays (“Anxiety says if you don’t check it again, something bad will happen — but let’s test that.”)

  • Building “bravery ladders” — step-by-step ways to face fears safely and successfully.

  • Helping parents practice responses that support courage instead of avoidance.

We celebrate every brave step — no matter how small — because those steps are what lead to big change.

Therapy is active, engaging, and filled with warmth. We’ll laugh, problem-solve, and sometimes get a little silly. Anxiety already takes itself too seriously — therapy doesn’t have to.

What You Can Expect

Therapy with me is collaborative, structured, and practical. You can expect:

  • Education that empowers — I’ll help you and your child understand what’s happening and why.

  • Strategies that work — Proven tools for anxiety and OCD, tailored for your child’s age and personality.

  • Parent involvement — I’ll show you exactly how to support exposures and reduce reassurance.

  • A calm, safe environment — where big feelings are met with compassion and curiosity.

  • Real progress — small, steady changes that lead to lasting confidence.

Every family leaves with clarity, language, and a plan — not just for therapy sessions, but for everyday life.

My Family is Ready

A Bit More About Me

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the owner of Brave Lives Counseling in Snellville, Georgia. I specialize in working with children, tweens, and teens who are struggling with anxiety, OCD, phobias, and emotional dysregulation.

I’ve completed specialized training in pediatric Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — both evidence-based treatments that help kids learn to face fears and build emotional flexibility.

When I’m not in session, you can usually find me reading, running, or spending time with my family. I love helping kids come up with creative solutions, laughing with them in session, and watching those “aha!” moments when things finally make sense.

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The message I need every family to hear:

You’re not broken. Your child’s not broken.

You’re both just caught in a cycle that can be changed — with understanding, guidance, and support.

Anxiety can make life feel small and rigid, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Together, we can help your child face fear, grow courage, and start living a fuller, freer life.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

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  • Master’s of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Missouri - St. Louis, (2023)

  • Certificate in Multicultural & Social Justice Counseling, University of Missouri - St. Louis, (2023)

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Kenyon College , OH

Education

  • Owner, Licensed Professional Counseling, Brave Lives Counseling, 2025 - Present

  • Licensed Professional Counselor, Gaia Counseling, 2023 - Present - Decatur, GA

  • Licensed Professional Counselor, Sunrise Counseling, 2022 - Present - Snellville, GA

  • Clinical Research Coordinator at Washington University School of Medicine, 2017 - 2023 - St. Louis, MO

  • Live-in-Nanny for child with Level 3 autism spectrum disorder, 2016 - 2017

Experience

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Links

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