Ciara Sweatt
Therapist for Children, Teens, and Adults
Pronouns: She/Her
Self Pay Rates:
- Intake Session: $185
- Individual Therapy: $160
- Family Therapy: $175
- Sliding Scale Offered
Insurances Accepted:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Optum
- BCBS
- UHC/UMR
Who I Work With:
- Children (4-12)
- Pre-teens (13-15)
- Teens (16-18)
- Young Adults (19-25)
- Adults (26+)
- Families
- Groups
Locations Served:
- In person in Macon
- Online/Virtual therapy for residents of Georgia
Specialties:
- Anxiety
- Life Transitions
- Depression
- Racial Identity
- Spirituality
- Substance Use or Abuse
- Trauma & PTSD
- Stress
- Healthcare Workers
- Self-esteem
- ADHD
- Anger Management
- Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome
- Behavioral Issues
- Grief
- LGBTQIA+ Youth & Adults
- Relationship or Family Conflict
- Parenting
- Peer Relationships
Integrative Modalities:
- Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Interventions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness-Based Approaches
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Play Therapy
- Sandtray Therapy
My Story
My journey into this work didn’t begin in a classroom. It began through lived experience and deep connection. Growing up, I experienced emotional and physical neglect, but I was also fortunate to have a close family member who became my anchor. This was the person who sat with me through hard moments, showed up consistently, and celebrated every milestone along the way.
Watching someone I loved navigate addiction, mood disorders, and personality-related challenges gave me an early and personal understanding of how complex and resilient people can be. Those experiences shaped how I see others and sparked a genuine curiosity about the human experience. That curiosity eventually led me to an AP Psychology class in high school, where I realized this was more than an interest. It was a calling.
Although I’m originally from Louisville, my path eventually brought me to Georgia. After visiting Atlanta several times starting in 2021 and feeling drawn to its energy and sense of possibility, I made the move following graduation to begin a new chapter. Today, I bring together my clinical training and my lived experience to support clients as they navigate their own journeys toward healing, growth, and connection.
My Area of Expertise
I believe therapy is most meaningful when someone is willing to sit with you in the gray areas of life. The places where things feel complicated, uncertain, or hard to put into words. I specialize in supporting individuals who are navigating major life transitions and emotional shifts, whether that’s moving to a new city, starting a new chapter, or trying to make sense of who they are becoming.
I work with children, teens, and adults who are managing anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma and neglect. I also support clients who are carrying grief alongside everyday stress and emotional overwhelm. Many of the people I work with are balancing the weight of the past while still needing to show up in the present. Because I bring both clinical training and lived experience into the room, I offer a grounded, judgment free space where complexity is honored, pain is acknowledged, and growth feels possible. You don’t have to navigate these transitions alone.
I offer a steady, compassionate space for whatever season of life you’re in. Whether you’re navigating a major life change or working through the impact of a difficult childhood, you don’t have to carry the complexity alone.
How I Approach Therapy
What's My Vibe
When you step into session with me, I want it to feel less like a clinical appointment and more like a genuine conversation. I focus first on creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and comfortable being yourself. You don’t have to come in with the “right” words or emotions. I meet you exactly where you are, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready to grow.
My approach is flexible and tailored to each person. I draw from a range of therapeutic tools to support your needs, blending reflection, skill-building, and deep listening to help you better understand yourself and move forward with clarity. My role is to walk alongside you with steadiness and compassion, whatever season of life you’re in.
When you step into my space, I want it to feel comfortable and welcoming, almost like exhaling when you didn’t realize you were holding your breath. I’m intentional about creating an environment that feels warm and grounding, because when your nervous system feels settled, it’s easier to open up and be yourself.
My style as a therapist is a blend of genuine human connection and clinical intention. Therapy with me doesn’t feel stiff or overly formal. Depending on your needs, sessions may include conversation, reflection, creativity, or play. With younger clients, I often use games or music to help them express what’s hard to put into words. With teens and adults, I’m laid-back, present, and deeply attentive, listening not just to what’s said, but what’s felt.
At my core, my vibe is comfortable, knowledgeable, and real. We can laugh, reflect, and do meaningful work together, all within a space where you feel safe, supported, and fully welcome.
What I Am Like Outside Of The Office
Favorite quote
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Beach or mountains?
Beach
In my free time I enjoy
Traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Do you have any secret talents?
I can sing. My senior superlative was most likely to win a Grammy.
What's something you wish people knew about mental health care?
It’s just as important as your physical health.
What do you do as a human to manage stress or anxiety?
Read, write in my journal, and talk to my support system.
My Education and Credentials
My Credentials:
- Georgia APC pending, working under the supervision of Karen McCain, LPC, CPCS and Lisa Ibekwe, LCSW
Clinical Specializations and Certifications
- Temporary Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
My Education:
- Masters of Education, University of Louisville
- Bachelors of Art in Psychology, University of Kentucky
Professional Service & Membership
- Member of the American Counseling Association