
Margaret Ast, LPC, RPT
Licensed Professional Counselor
Kennesaw, GA
In-Person
About me
I am a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist who works with children, tweens, teens and adult women in emotional regulation.
I was formally an elementary school teacher and home school mom before choosing counseling as my second career.I began this work as the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) coordinator at a local mental health hospital on the adolescent unit. After five years there, I then opened my own private practice known as My Secret Garden Counseling Service in Kennesaw, Georgia.. I have been in the counseling field for 14 years. I incorporate play, art, and DBT into my sessions as well as offering traditional talk therapy. I believe healing is found in relationship; therefore, building a relationship with a person is my first goal of therapy. I use play and art as a means for children to better express themselves, and also to help people who have been traumatized. I utilize DBT for help in the emotional regulation of depression, anxiety, anger and shame. I also teach mindfulness and distress tolerance skills from DBT.
License
License(s)
Education
Richmont Graduate University
Fees and insurance
Cost per session
$60 - $120Sliding scale
YesAccepted payment methods
- Cash
- Check
Accepted insurance plans
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Cigna
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Specialties and clinical interests
- Anger Issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief & Loss
- Self-Esteem
- Self-Injury
- Spirituality
- Suicidality
- Trauma & PTSD
- Women's Issues
Therapy types
- Art Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness
- Play Therapy & Sandtray
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
Faith-based specialties
- Christianity
Images and videos
Location
My Secret Garden Counseling Service, LLC
2959 Cherokee Street Northwest
Suite Suite 303A
Kennesaw, GA 30144 US
Licensed to see clients in
Years in practice
Service types
- Therapy / Counseling
Types of clients
- Kids & Tweens (5-12)
- Adolescents (13-17)
- Adults (18+)
Languages
- English
Website and social media