PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

MP Portrait of Marla  Patterson
Online therapist

Marla Patterson

Supportive counseling for family and parenting concerns

Credentials
LPC
Experience
14 years
Licensed in
Georgia
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Marla

Marla Patterson is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who focuses on family and parenting concerns along with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, ADHD, and difficult life changes. She also supports those coping with grief, trauma and abuse, addiction, anger, low self-esteem, intimacy problems, and career or parenting challenges.

Her style is straightforward and respectful. Sessions are meant to feel supportive and encouraging.

Background and approach

She emphasizes each person’s strengths and resourcefulness rather than focusing only on problems. Conversations are practical and goal-oriented, with attention to what a client needs right now. Marla brings 14 years of experience as an LPC in Georgia.

That clinical background informs how she structures sessions and sets realistic steps toward change. She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide work on coping skills, emotional regulation, and relationship patterns. Therapy with her typically includes talking through current struggles, identifying helpful habits, and practicing new ways to handle stress and conflict.

Parents can expect clear suggestions and strategies they can try between sessions. The approach is collaborative: clients and the therapist decide together what to focus on. Anyone interested in starting can expect a calm, practical pace and an emphasis on what is useful for daily life.

Marla aims to make therapy feel manageable for people balancing family responsibilities and other obligations.

Evidence-based approaches and online care

Marla uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on practical change. One approach emphasizes building coping skills and emotion regulation to reduce overwhelm and manage anxiety and anger. This involves learning small, repeatable practices to use when stress or intense feelings arise.

Another common focus is strength-based work that highlights a person’s existing resources and resilience. That approach helps clients identify what already works for them and expand those habits to address parenting challenges, relationship patterns, or life transitions.

Finding the right method is part of the process. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying approaches, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together when needed.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy schedules. These options make it easier to fit regular sessions around family responsibilities, work, and other commitments. The variety of formats also lets people choose the way of communicating that feels most comfortable for them.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Marla address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, ADHD, addiction, grief, trauma, anger, self-esteem, intimacy issues, parenting, career concerns, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and relationship and family topics.
What is her style in sessions?
Her manner is respectful and straightforward. She emphasizes strengths and practical steps, aiming for supportive and encouraging conversations.
How much experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor working in the mental health field.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with the credential GA LPC LPC005645 and practices in Georgia.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Experience
14 years
Licensed
Georgia
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Marla

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point