Gay Baldwin

Welcome to Sanctuary of Hope Counseling Services, LLC. As a seasoned practitioner, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with multiple qualifications. I currently serve as Director of Counseling Services with Brenau University. Early in my career, I served low-income individuals and families in the Appalachian areas of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, providing case management, substance abuse assessment and education. I also held certifications with the Department of Behavioral Health and Disease Disabilities, including providing services as a Clinical Evaluator and Treatment Provider for nine years. As a certified instructor with Prime for Life, in 2009, a research-based curriculum, I provide education to individuals legally charged with driving under the influence or possession of an illegal substance.

Due to dealing with a hectic schedule clients find it helpful to meet with me for a confidential session using Telemental Health Services. Counseling can be an effective way to alleviate distress, to discover better ways to solve problems, to learn new ways of relating to others or to change long-term behavior problems. However, counseling may also involve the risk of remembering unpleasant events and may arouse other emotions, which may affect how you relate to others. I recognize that personal change is often a difficult process. I strive to provide a supportive, respectful and collaborative therapeutic environment where you can fully explore your concerns, challenges, and values. The counseling relationship allows you to seek perspective through a mutual relationship that is accepting, empathetic, and authentic. My therapeutic orientation involves Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, specifically Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), which is committed to promoting emotional well-being through short-term therapy with long-term results. I also utilize a variety of techniques in counseling including Reality Therapy, which focuses on problem-solving, rebuilding connections, and goal-setting.