​Hello! My name is Frank Gorritz, a local community counselor in Lawrenceville, GA and a fourth-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at UGA. I am reaching out to you to let you know about my dissertation research that will collaborate with Queer/Trans community members of color and provide them with paid compensation for their time. 

My dissertation research is exploring the lived experiences of Queer, Transgender, Black, and Indigenous People of Color (QTBIPOC), when receiving substance abuse counseling services in Georgia. My research plans to explore these experiences, as well as provide a safe and protected space for participants on Zoom to co-discover ways to enhance substance abuse counseling for QTBIPOC. I would love to collaborate with you on this work, through providing you with my contact flyer for community members who can/wish to participate. For participants who are interested, they will be asked to meet with me and other community members on Zoom for a two-part focus group that will last up to three hours total on one decided day and time. Alternative arrangements can also be made for folx who aren't comfortable in groups or if something comes up. $50 will be provided immediately to participants after their participation to compensate their time and labor. Let me know what you think! I would love to work with you. Attached is the flyer for more info!


Frank Gorritz, APC
Doctoral Candidate
University of Georgia

Our very own Anna Baxter was a guest on the Practicing Polyamory Podcast today discussing how personal identity is connected to autonomy. Check out episode 71: Skoliosexuality and Rewriting Autonomy On Practicing Polyamory's Youtube channel. While you're at it, follow their The Practicing Polyamory Podcast FB Page, Instagram, Twitter, and Twitch. and don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube, iTunes, and/or Spotify. 

If you're ready to explore your identity and learn how to live and love more authentically, reach out to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. 

We are thrilled to announce a new member of the Love Positive Counseling team: Jace Johns-Cooper! 

Jace is a Masters level intern completing his Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University. He has a bachelor's in Psychology from Georgia State University.

An important focus of his practice is reexamining societal norms and experiences through a queer and feminist lens to assist clients in becoming their true self. He also values healthy internal and external communication, self-care and exploration, and advocacy.

His passion is working with LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as those within the polyamorous and kink communities. He came out as a trans man in 2014 and started identifying as polyamorous in 2015. He has recently started becoming involved with the kink community in the past few years. He has also been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community for the past five years through local non-profits. 

Jace is available for scheduling new clients beginning June 1, 2021! Jace's rate is $35/hr. To book your first session with Jace, request an appointment and be sure to select Jace as the clinician (The rate will show $175 but the cost charged at the time of your appointment will be $35/hr). 

To contact Jace directly with questions or to schedule an appointment, email jacejohnscoopercounseling@gmail.com or call 678 210 9907. 

We've decided to participate in an exciting pop-up shop event designed to support female business owners: Supporting Our Sistahs happening May 30th! 

From the Eventbrite event:

S. O. S. Pop Up Shop is a marketplace of female business owners in the community who strive to support, uplift, and encourage each other!

To register to attend this event: CLICK HERE

I have been studying and implementing Attachment theory in counseling methods much more often recently. I have learned to notice more and more what attachment theory researchers have coined protest behaviors and despair behaviors (as well as detachment behaviors that follow). When I came across this blog entry by Lindsay Braman on the topic, I knew I had to share it with all of you. I hope it helps support compassionate and empathic understanding of yourself, and your loved ones.

How Protest & Despair Responses Shape Adult Relationships

We are thrilled to announce a new member of the Love Positive Counseling team: Josephanie V Smith! 

​Josephanie V. Smith is a master’s level clinician, offering individual, relationship and sex therapy under the direction and supervision of Anna Baxter, LPC. She has a bachelors in Psychology, masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a specialist’s in Contemporary Theory of Mental Health Services. 

Effective communication is at the root of her practice. She aims to assist clients with the learning and implementation of effective and positive communication skills to get what you need out of life; whether that be the communication within or with those around you. The manner in which we speak to ourselves and of ourselves often proves the difference between negative and positive feelings of ourselves, our capabilities, and how we interact with each other. 

Her passion lies within promoting healthy longevity in relationships and millennial sexual literacy, as well the understanding and acceptance of ourselves as sexual beings. She is pleased to work with cisgender and LGBTQ+ identifying individuals and couples as well as those identifying with or looking to explore alternative relationship styles, including polyamory, kink, etc. 

As a client of Josephanie, you will be encouraged to explore, adopt a broadened perspective, and feel empowered to take the steps necessary to achieve a greater state of wellbeing.

Josephanie is available for scheduling new clients immediately! Leandra's rate is $125/hr with some availability for sliding scale as clients need as she forms her caseload. To book your first session with Josephanie, request an appointment and be sure to select Josephanie as the clinician (The rate will show $175 but the cost charged at the time of your appointment will be based on rate agreed upon with Josephanie). 

To contact Josephanie directly with questions or to schedule an appointment, email JVelsheecounseling@gmail.com or call 678 775 8319. 

Our friend and colleague Lucia Caltabiano,  LCSW over at Resilient Wellness, LLC is starting some new groups that may be of interest to some of our clients and followers so we want to share the details with you. 

All group fees are income based. To register, contact Lucia (They/Them/Their) directly at resilientwellnessllc@gmail.com or 678-590-8797

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​Gender Expansive Teen Group - Teens 13-18 who identify as non-binary, gender non-conforming, and/or transgender. 
Meets every other week on Thursday at 7:30 PM
Starting December 10th, 2020

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​Transmasculine Support Group - Adults (18+) who identify as masculine of center; non-binary, transgender and gender non-conforming. 
Meets every other week on Thursday
Starting December 3rd, 2020

​Trans Parenting Support Group - Parents with transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender expansive children/teenagers. 
Meet every other week on Wednesday at 7:30 PM
Starting December 9, 2020

​LGBTQ + DBT Informed Skills Group - Adults (18+) that identify as LGBTQ+
Meets weekly for 8 weeks on Monday at 7:30 PM
Starts November 23, 2020
Prior to group there is a 10-15 minute consultation call to establish goals for the group

As of today, August 1st, I have assumed the role of managing our group collaborative office in Roswell and in doing so, the name will change from Wellspring Counseling Center to Love Positive Counseling. Each of us manage our practice independently (scheduling, billing, etc), but we work collaboratively in a shared space (like professional roommates). I have loved working with my friends and colleagues for 6 years and look forward to many more as our office manager. If you haven't had the opportunity to meet my office mates before, let me introduce you to them now!

Cheryll A. Thompson, LPC

Anna Lisa Derenthal, LPC

Mike McNulty, LPC

We currently have a vacant office available for a fully licensed therapist. If you're needing an office space for video or in-person sessions, contact me to discuss joining our crew. The space is partially furnished, or can be emptied if you have your own furnishings. 

This also gives me the opportunity to expand my practice to include direction and supervision in the future. I plan to obtain my CPCS (Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor) in October and at that time will be able to supervise Masters level clinicians pursuing their LAPC/LPC. Keep a eye here on the website or on my Facebook page for an announcement when I'm officially able to provide supervision to up and coming therapists!