​​My work with adolescents and adults focuses on

  • Finding balance

  • Strengthening resiliency

  • Discovering adaptive coping skills

  • Building self-esteem

  • Healing from trauma

  • Discovering solutions for everyday challenges


I continue to receive the latest training and skills. Presently, I am in the process of being trained in Healing Touch, an energy healing method.

In addition to my therapy practice, I co-coordinate Somatic Experiencing trainings in Georgia. Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented healing modality for the treatment of trauma and stress disorders. Somatic Experiencing can be helpful for the treatment of stress from accidents, invasive medical procedures, sexual or physical assault, emotional abuse, neglect, war, natural disasters, loss, birth trauma, and stress related to ongoing fear and conflict.

Community Work
In addition to my private practice, I have provided services to the non-profit sector for the past two decades. Read more about my experience.







​Creating a safe, open and compassionate space for all individuals  

regardless of ethnicity, immigration status, gender, economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or spirituality

​​​​​Patel Garcia Counseling & Wellness, LLC

  compassion . support . healing

I specialize in providing a holistic and integrated approach to concerns such as anxiety,depression, stress management, self-esteem, trauma, grief, loss, parenting, and relationship concerns.

I am trained in mindfulness-based approaches, somatic psychotherapy (Hakomi and Somatic Experiencing), play therapy, yoga, energy psychology, sandtray and art, safe sound protocol (SSP) as well as traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (including dialectical behavior therapy and exposure therapy). I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults.

With children, I use play therapy, sandtray, somatic experiencing and art to explore concerns such as 

  • Adoption

  • Anxiety

  • Grief             

  • Family transitions

  • Behavior issues       

  • Bullying             

  • Self-esteem         

  • Trauma            


Through these gentle and creative methods, children are able to explore emotions, discover their strengths and build coping skills.

​​​​​​​ Education and Training  


Master of Social Work

University of Georgia (2000)

B.S. in Public and  Social Services
Kennesaw State University (1995)


Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(GA License CSW003336)


Registered Play Therapist (RPT)


Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute

Somatic Resilience and  Regulation, Early Trauma

​

Training in Hakomi Method

Mindfulness Based Somatic Psychotherapy
Hakomi Institute


Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
Laughter Yoga International

Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Teaching Certificate
Trauma Center at Justice  Resource Institute

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification
Etowah Valley Yoga

Dialectical Behavior Therapy


Safe Sound Protocol (SSP)

 Memberships


Association for  Play Therapy

National Association of Social Workers


​Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute