Tonjanika has been practicing within the Mental Health Counseling field for over 22 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselors Supervisor. She also possesses a certification as a Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professional Diplomat.
Her therapy style is strongly influenced by a cognitive behavioral and a person-centered approach which facilitates a client’s inward growth towards fulfillment in life. In do so, Tonjanika meets clients where they are with unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and an empathetic understanding. Also, in providing a combination of substance use disorder and mental health counseling, Tonjanika incorporates evidenced based approaches that integrates both, to assist clients with improving their health and wellness so that they can live a self-directed life.
Tonjanika’s primary areas of expertise include treating depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, trauma/recovery/PTSD, personality disorders, and conduct related disorders. She also works with clients who may need assistance with ADHD, ODD, self-esteem related issues, men/women issues, educational counseling (i.e., educational needs regarding failing grades, school related anxiety, collaborating with school systems during the response to intervention process, and the 504/Individualized Educational Plan processes). In addition, as a Certified Professional Counselors Supervisor with the LPCA of Georgia, she also enjoys providing clinical supervision for those seeking counselor licensure in Georgia.
Prior to her private practice work, Tonjanika has worked within various community mental health agencies both in Georgia and Alabama. These roles have involved various clinical and administrative positions to provide substance use disorder and mental health counseling, as well as crisis management and stabilization. In addition, Tonjanika has also worked with probate court and various justice reform systems. She earned both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and her Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of West Alabama. Tonjanika is also a Certified Educator in the state of Georgia and possesses an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Tonjanika continued to further her education and has also possessed a Doctorate degree in General Psychology from Capella University for over 12 years.