Meet us
A nurturing place to talk, learn and heal.
On this page
Meet Joy
Joy Kelleher, LCSW
she/her/hers
Joy Kelleher, LCSW, Georgia license CSW003073
With over 30 years of experience as a licensed clinician, social worker, consultant, and international speaker on trauma, human trafficking prevention and advocacy, Joy Kelleher has an eclectic background of professional experiences including extensive international work. Working with children and families from a trauma informed perspective interwoven with positive psychology form the foundation of her work.
Joy is also passionate about advocacy and building community. As the founder of Project Yet, Inc., Joy works to support young adults to launch successfully into adulthood as well as serving as the assistant swim coach at Brenau University.
Joy believes that we heal best in a community. Humans learn and grow through experiences and relationships. Our well-being relies on feeling like we belong. Trauma, neglect, and loneliness can make it hard to connect with others, leading to isolation when what we actually need is community. Joy focuses on providing experiential ways for people to heal, develop skills, and create the expansive, meaningful, & purposeful lives that they desire.
Read Joy's writing on Substack.
Thrive Gainesville, LLC provides clinical psychotherapy services.
Joy Kelleher is also involved in independent writing, creative, wellness and community activities through Thrive With Joy and Project Yet. These organizations operate separately from Thrive Gainesville and serve different purposes.
Clients may encounter these activities through public websites, publications or community events. Participation is entirely voluntary and is never a requirement or expectation of psychotherapy. Choosing to participate, decline, subscribe, unsubscribe or discontinue participation will not affect access to clinical services.
Because overlapping relationships can raise questions about privacy and professional boundaries, they may be discussed individually when relevant to protecting the therapeutic relationship. Thrive Gainesville maintains clinical confidentiality in accordance with applicable law and professional standards.
Areas of focus
Trauma
Anxiety, ADHD and late-diagnosed autism
Veterans and first responders
Approaches
EMDR
The Gottman Method, for couples
Somatic therapy
Mindfulness
Experiential therapies
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Brainspotting
Deep Brain Reorienting
Internal Family Systems
Parent coaching
LGBTQ+ allied
Credentials
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level II (CCTP-II)
Certified Complex Trauma Professional, Level II (CCTP-II)
EMDRIA Certified Therapist
Certified Professional, Child & Adolescent Anxiety Treatment (CCATP-CA)
Safe & Sound Protocol certificate
Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher
Post-graduate certificate in somatic psychotherapy
Post-graduate certificate in neuropsychotherapy
Membership
Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP), member
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Meet Maria
Maria Ibarra
she/her/hers
Maria Ibarra, Associate Professional Counselor, Georgia license APC011354, under clinical supervision
My name is Maria G. Ibarra, and I’m a bilingual therapist with a Master’s in Clinical Counseling Psychology. I’m passionate about providing compassionate, culturally responsive therapy to individuals and families—especially those from underserved and Spanish-speaking communities. With over 10 years of experience in both clinical and advocacy roles, I bring a trauma-informed, culturally grounded lens to my work.
I’ve had the privilege of serving clients across diverse settings—including schools, community mental health clinics, jails, the Solicitor’s Office, and private practice. These experiences have deepened my understanding of how trauma, systemic oppression, and intergenerational stress shape mental health and identity.
I offer office based and telehealth services that are provided with warmth and a collaborative approach.
I utilize interventions and strategies rooted in evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, and psychodynamic techniques. My work focuses on supporting individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, identity challenges, and self-worth concerns.
As a bilingual provider, I also understand the unique barriers faced by the Spanish-speaking community—such as immigration-related trauma, stigma around mental health, language and cultural gaps in care, and the complexities of navigating between cultures. My goal is to create a healing space where you feel seen, heard, respected, and empowered.
Whether you’re carrying the weight of past experiences, feeling stuck in self-doubt, or simply seeking a space to grow, I’m here to walk alongside you. Healing isn’t linear—but with support, it’s possible. You don’t have to do it alone.
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¡Bienvenidos!
Mi nombre es Maria G. Ibarra y soy una terapeuta bilingüe con una Maestría en Psicología Clínica y Consejería. Me apasiona ofrecer terapia compasiva y culturalmente sensible a individuos y familias, especialmente a comunidades desatendidas y que hablan español. Cuento con más de 10 años de experiencia en roles clínicos y de defensa, lo que me permite brindar una perspectiva informada por el trauma y centrada en la cultura.
He tenido el privilegio de trabajar en una variedad de entornos, incluyendo escuelas, clínicas comunitarias de salud mental, cárceles, la Oficina del Fiscal y consultorios privados. Estas experiencias han profundizado mi comprensión del impacto del trauma, la opresión sistémica y el estrés intergeneracional en la salud mental y la identidad.
Ofrezco una terapia cálida, colaborativa y basada en enfoques con respaldo científico, como la Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual (TCC), la terapia centrada en la persona y técnicas psicodinámicas. Mi trabajo se centra en ayudar a personas que enfrentan ansiedad, trauma, transiciones de vida, desafíos de identidad y temas relacionados con la autoestima.
Como proveedora bilingüe, también reconozco las barreras únicas que enfrenta la comunidad hispana—como el trauma relacionado con la inmigración, el estigma hacia la salud mental, las brechas culturales y lingüísticas en el acceso a servicios, y la complejidad de navegar entre dos culturas. Mi objetivo es ofrecer un espacio de sanación donde te sientas visto(a), escuchado(a), respetado(a) y empoderado(a).
Ya sea que estés cargando con experiencias del pasado, sintiéndote atrapado(a) en un ciclo de dudas, o simplemente buscando un espacio para explorar tus emociones y metas, estoy aquí para acompañarte. La sanación no es lineal, pero con apoyo, es posible. No tienes que hacerlo solo(a).
Sobre Maria
Maria Ibarra, Associate Professional Counselor (consejera profesional asociada), licencia de Georgia APC011354, bajo supervisión clínica.
Atiende a niños desde los 5 años, adolescentes, adultos, parejas y familias, en inglés y en español, en nuestra oficina y en línea. Las sesiones en línea son para clientes que están en Georgia.
Horario habitual: lunes y viernes, de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m.; otras tardes y los sábados, si lo solicitas. El horario puede variar, y Maria puede acordar citas fuera de este horario según el caso.
Está aceptando nuevos clientes.
Maria no trabaja con seguros médicos, así que tú pagas tus sesiones directamente. Ofrece tarifas ajustadas a tus ingresos. Para conocer las tarifas, pregunta al solicitar tu cita.
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Meet Ainsley
Ainsley Nguyen, LCSW
she/her/hers
Ainsley Nguyen, LCSW, Georgia license CSW010565
Ainsley is a dedicated graduate of the University of Denver, where she earned her master’s degree in Social Work. Her career in social work has been enriched by a diverse range of experiences across various settings and with many different client groups. She has provided therapeutic services to children and young people in foster care as well as within the school system, in addition to working with individuals who are navigating the challenges associated with chronic health conditions.
Ainsley possesses a strong passion for advocacy and is committed to understanding her clients from a comprehensive systemic perspective. Her innate warmth and deep compassion contribute significantly to her ability to meet clients exactly where they are at. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space in which they can learn, grow, and find healing.
Ainsley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is available to provide telehealth services to children, teenagers, and adults.
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Clinical Supervision & Trainings
To ask about clinical supervision or a training, email thrivegainesville@therapysecure.com. Please don't send health details by email, about yourself, your child or anyone else. [JOY: who these are for, and what they are]
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Thrive Gainesville, LLC
324 Brenau Ave., Gainesville, GA 30501
Call us: (678) 989-4267
thrivegainesville@therapysecure.com
Please don't send health details by email, about yourself, your child or anyone else.
Joy Kelleher, LCSW, Georgia license CSW003073
Maria Ibarra, Associate Professional Counselor, Georgia license APC011354, under clinical supervision
Ainsley Nguyen, LCSW, Georgia license CSW010565