Meet Us

Licensed Psychologist
StorieBrook Founder & Owner

Dr. Kieran clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and currently has a short waitlist.

A graduate of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida with Bachelors degrees in History and Psychology, I received my Masters and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. Prior to opening a private practice in Atlanta in 2007, I worked for Regis University in Denver and Georgia State University in Atlanta - providing clinical services for students in both positions. 

In addition to running StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting,  I teach in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University, and provide continuing education workshops for other mental health professionals, particularly in the areas of sexual, gender and relational diversity, locally and nationally. I am also a leader, and a Past-President, of my professional association - the Georgia Psychological Association.  


While a "generalist" in practice, I have particular interests in the areas of:


Personal interests: Books, tea, queer fiction & romance, more tea, dogs,  narrative nonfiction, history, horses, historical fiction, cycling, romance novels, national parks, speculative fiction/fantasy, bit more tea, lots of crafts, cooking for my heart family, and acquiring journals & planners!


Heather-Leigh
Owens Nies, LMSW* (she/her/hers)

StorieBrook Associate

Licensed Master Social Worker

Heather Leigh sees clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!

I cannot imagine a life without the constant drive to learn and grow. As a social worker, I lean into that inherent curiosity. I value my play and fun. Too often, we forget that we learn just as much through play as we do through a challenge. I am a student. A fighter. An advocate. A therapist.

I have an Associates of the Arts in Theatre from Gordon College, a Bachelor of Arts in Production and Performance from Agnes Scott College and a Master Social Work degree from the university of Georgia. At UGA, I specialized in Marriage and Family Therapy, Nonprofit Management and Leadership. I also hold a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from University of South Florida.

My current theoretical orientation/specialization is in an eclectic practice of strength-based somatic therapies that emphasize social justice, empathy, accessibility, and advocacy in clinical mental health. Specifically, I choose to work in private clinical practice to serve the intersection of LGBTQIA+/Kink/CNM/polyamorous populations. My practice is person-centered, and I aim to meet you where you are.

While I specialize in Somatic (Body-centered)therapies, I know that no one modality-will  fits all clients’ needs. As a social worker, I am able to bring a lens of intersectionality and systemic interaction to client sessions. I believe that all things are connected and that the most significant value is personal autonomy. Those two statements may seem dialectical, and it behooves us to explore the “sticky bits” in between to better ourselves and the interlocking systems of our identity and society. I am continuously working to be a more intentionally culturally competent practitioner.

I am not the expert. My clients are experts in themselves. I am simply an educated and informed collaborator.

*Heather-Leigh is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD consistent with GA Rule 135. 

Charlotte Cowles, M.A.* (she/her/hers) 

StorieBrook Associate

Charlotte sees clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!


I’m passionate about helping people live their happiest and most authentic lives. My goal is to create an open, accepting, and non-judgmental space for all clients. I strive to meet each client where they are in their journey and work with them to make therapy effective. My practice is generally based in psychodynamic theory, but I also love using humor and techniques from the CBT, ACT, person-centered, and multicultural/feminist theories. I believe that context and past experiences contribute to who you are and how you see and experience much of the world. Tapping into these factors can be helpful in identifying areas of strength and growth. However, everyone is different and may benefit from various approaches to therapy and to overall well-being. 

 

I recently graduated from Northwestern University with my master’s in clinical mental health counseling. I completed my practicum and internship at The Center for Growth in Philadelphia, where I primarily saw clients struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship, and sexual concerns. I also have a passion for working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and young adults navigating identity development and life transitions. 


I received my B.A. in Political Science at Vanderbilt University. I grew up in New York City and London, England, and lived in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia before moving to Atlanta last year.

 

Personal Interests: travel, dogs (including my black lab Oscar), food, realty and non-reality TV, historical and true crime podcasts (bonus if they are both!), golf, Formula 1, spending time with family and friends.


*Charlotte is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD consistent with GA Rule 135. 

Rachel's Personal Theory of Counseling:

“Psychotherapy is, in essence, a cure through love.” – Sigmund Freud

I believe that a comfortable, non-judgmental environment; demonstrating congruence; empathy and unconditional positive regard are all essential to therapy, however sometimes, the addition of more directive approaches is necessary. I do naturally bring these basics into the room with me, and believe deeply in the importance of transparency, authentic valuing of the person and true empathy.

I am aware that we all carry developmental wounds with us throughout our lives. We all long for the resolution to an emotional wound, and must work towards recognition of ways that we are replaying a pattern in new relationships.

I believe that our prior relationships are those which form the templates from which we interact with all subsequent individuals, and that much of our behavior in the world is informed by trying to resolve some old wound in order to feel free to move on to new experiences. This awareness can be a real struggle, as it can often take a long time for us to simply reach an understanding that there might be a connection between a contemporary problem and an older relationship, however there is a magic in seeing someone begin to heal these older relationships, either by letting go, or by making amends or coming to peace with that person, that is very gratifying when it does happen.

My goal as a therapist is always to reduce human suffering, and to empower people to change their experience in the world. That said, the client’s ultimate responsibility for change lies with themselves. I remain incredibly empathic to the many, many struggles that my clients face, however believe that there is always something, albeit small, that clients can do to make positive change in their lives, and want to help empower you to begin with even that one small step or perspective shift.

My heart, and my love and caring for people in places of pain, is and I suspect always will be, the biggest feature of what I offer to my clients; however I help them challenge themselves to better understanding of the place in which they stand, how they got there, and where they can journey from that place. I want them to understand that they are on a path, and that they have the power to choose where to go from here.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
–Ursula K. LeGuin

Danyelle Denham, MSW* (she/her/hers)

StorieBrook Associate


Education: MSW University of Georgia, B.S. Psychology Kennesaw State University 

 

Danyelle sees clients on WEEKENDS virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!


My approach to therapy is to pull from the humanist/person-centered and strength-based practices. These philosophies resonate with my own philosophies and I have combined my education, training, and natural empathy for others into an informed approach to my client’s therapeutic needs. I strive to provide a space where my clients can be their authentic selves without judgement and to collaborate with them to find the tools to help them achieve the goals they set while in therapy.


I work with a broad range of needs including help with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, body image/self-esteem, stress management, etc. by integrating different methods and skills to meet the individual needs of my clients. My special area of interest is to provide strong support for the members of the LGBTQIA+, Kink, Polyamorous, and Ethically Non-Monogamous communities. As a member of these communities, I've come to understand the tremendous need for mental healthcare that embraces the dynamics and identities within these communities. Through my interactions within these communities and my education, I have gained insight into sexual and gender-identity issues, hoping to help individuals who identify as members of these groups with their unique challenges.


Education: I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University in 2018 and my Master of Social Work degree from University of Georgia in 2023.


Personal Interests: Dragons, books (primarily science fiction and fantasy), cats, Star Wars, board games, kink/BDSM education, spending time with my loved ones 


*Danyelle is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD consistent with GA Rule 135.

Aaliyah Green, M.A., M.S.* (she/her/hers) 

StorieBrook Associate

Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology

Aaliyah sees clients on weekdays virtually and in person, and has openings available immediately!


I believe that therapy should promote healing, growth, and self-discovery, which reflects my style of relating to clients. I strive to maintain a compassionate and non-judgmental environment so that each person I connect with feels safe and understood. 


I obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in psychology from Bethune-Cookman University and a Master of Arts (MA) degree from the University of Central Florida. My clinical experience includes interpersonal therapy, diagnostic assessment, and clinical interviewing. My clinical interests include mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, adults, and health psychology.  


Some of my favorite hobbies include being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and working on interior design projects! 


*Aaliyah is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD consistent with the requirements of her APA Accredited training program.


 


Emma Hickey, LMSW* (she/her/hers)

StorieBrook Associate

Licensed Master Social Worker


Education: MSW Kennesaw State University, B.S. Psychology Kennesaw State University 

 

Professional Interests: Young Adult, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis, Relationships, Social Justice, Body Image, Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating, Community Outreach, Creative Therapeutic Expression 

 

Therapeutic Style: Client centered approach which focuses on and emphasizes client’s individual strengths and empowers clients to decide what is best for them. Integrating Cognitive Behavioral techniques to help identify the connection of thought, behavior, and emotion. Focus on interpersonal relationships and self-talk via storytelling. Utilizing narrative therapy techniques to empower clients to become the authors of their own stories. Incorporating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills to provide in the moment relief to intense emotions. 

 

Personal Interests: Music, Travel, Taylor Swift, True Crime Podcasts, Spending time with friends and family 


What to Expect: My goal as a therapist is to integrate various techniques to empower clients to gain ownership over their internal dialogue. We are all authors of a story, and utilizing these research-based techniques, I will encourage my clients to become aware of the stories they tell themselves and provide tools to become the author of these stories. I provide a comfortable environment for my clients to discover elements of themselves and begin to adapt their narratives in a healing manner. My clients can expect that I provide a space for honesty, and acceptance when they enter sessions with me. Additionally, I strive to meet clients where they are at. 

*Emma is under the Direction and Supervision of Rachel Anne Kieran, PsyD consistent with GA Rule 135.