Lei Rhyne, LPC, NCC, HCt

09/02/2026

Meet Jessica McElroy ✨

We are excited to officially welcome Jessica McElroy to the Barefoot Counseling & Wellness!

Jessica works primarily with adults who are navigating grief, depression, significant life changes, and those moments when life simply no longer feels the way it once did.

Her work is especially supportive for individuals experiencing:

• Grief and loss
• Major life transitions
• Depression and anxiety
• Caregiver stress and burnout
• Cancer-related experiences
• Pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum transitions
• Trauma and PTSD
• Stress, self-esteem, and emotional regulation

Jessica brings creativity into the therapeutic process through expressive arts and combines it with somatic, narrative, relational, existential, and person-centered approaches.

Her philosophy is rooted in the idea that healing does not always mean “moving on.” Sometimes it means rediscovering the parts of ourselves that have gotten lost along the way curiosity, creativity, connection, joy, and a sense of meaning.

Jessica is a particularly wonderful fit for adults who may be thinking:

“I don’t know who I am anymore.”

“My life changed, and I’m having trouble finding my footing.”

“I’m functioning, but I don’t feel like myself.”

“I’m grieving something other people may not fully understand.”

08/16/2026

Come join us

07/31/2026

Come join us for our monthly Sound Bath and Tea with Rooted Vines. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon!

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

Today we are reminded the freedoms that unite us, the resilience that has carried us through challenges, and that we are stronger together.

As you gather with family and friends, we hope you find moments to laugh, rest, reconnect, and appreciate the simple joys that make life meaningful.

From all of us at The Barefoot Counselor and Associates, we wish you a safe, joyful, and peaceful Fourth of July. May your day be filled with gratitude, hope, and memories that last long after the fireworks fade.

❤️ Happy 4th of July!

05/14/2026

Mental health matters every day, for every person. This month is a gentle reminder that caring for your mind is just as important as caring for your body.

Whether it is going to therapy, getting rest, setting boundaries, reaching out to someone you trust, or simply making it through a hard day, every step matters.

Check in on your friends, and check in with yourself. You never truly know what someone may be carrying in silence.

Let’s keep building a world where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness. 💚

Drop a 💚 if you’re choosing to take care of your mental health today.

04/04/2026

04/02/2026

I’ve recently been exploring Constructed Awareness and have been impressed with its clinical utility and clarity as a framework. This technique was developed by Tyler Orr, who is a certified EMDR clinician and trainer.

It offers a structured way to understand how thoughts, sensations, and external cues interact to shape the client experience, while providing practical pathways for real-time intervention.

If you're interested in expanding your integrative work:
• You can review the model on the website
• Take the assessment to explore your own orientation
• Or join an upcoming Lunch & Learn for a more in-depth overview

CA Lunch & Learn: Understanding the Three Principles of CA - April 3rd, 2026

03/19/2026

I had the opportunity to be at the Georgia State Capitol last week for something truly historic.
Georgia has officially recognized the arts as a key resource for mental health through House Resolution 1007.

For those of us who have spent years integrating expressive arts, movement, sound, and creativity into healing, this is more than policy. It is validation. It is progress. It is a shift in how we understand care.

Over 30% of Georgians report symptoms of anxiety or depression, and this resolution acknowledges what many of us have seen firsthand:
Healing is not just cognitive. It is creative, embodied, and relational.

House Resolution 1007 aims to:
• Normalize the use of arts and creative arts therapies in healthcare
• Train providers and systems to integrate these approaches
• Increase funding for community-based mental health programs

This work was led by powerful collaboration across arts, healthcare, and public health leaders, including Performance Hypothesis, The Carter Center, Emory University, and others.

As a therapist, expressive arts practitioner, and founder of Healing with Art n Sound, I find this moment deeply aligned with the work I have dedicated my life to.

We are moving toward a future where creativity is not seen as optional in healing, but essential.
And I am honored to be part of that movement.

03/12/2026

We are headed to the capital. It’s an exciting day for creative therapists. Our industry is being recognized the impact that the arts have on mental health. After years of studies we have significant empirical data that backs up what we have known all along which is Art Heals!!!

02/13/2026

Our community showed up last night. Thank you!