About Us
Empathy. Evaluation. Expertise.
About The Marriage Point
The Marriage Point exists to provide counseling and training services to those wishing to improve the marital relationship. We provide individual, couples, and family counseling sessions to improve the marriages of those couples suffering from distress, disconnection or just stagnation. Our counseling and therapy services are provided at our Marietta & Cumming Locations. For more information on couples counseling services please click here.
Our mission is to equip and empower couples and individuals toward authentic relational living. This means to be people of empathy, vulnerability and accountability.
Our primary goal is to see individuals, couples and families experience marriage the way it was intended to be secure, intimate and passionate.
Our approach to counseling can be summed up in three words: Empathy. Evaluation. Expertise. This means we believe that the primary tool in therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. We empathize with individual and couples struggling in their relationships because we have been there too and we have done the work to become more relational beings. Our focus on evaluation consists of evidence-based assessment questionnaires and gentle questions that help us to really understand that core of the relational issues. We can call ourselves experts because each of our clinicians has engaged in training and/or certification programs in a specific area of the couples relationship and has the expertise to accurately and empathetically assess and intervene in order to stop the painful interactional cycles in which couples often find themselves.
We also recognize that sex is an important aspect of a martial relationship and that sexuality is an integral part of the human experience. We are trained to help couples and individuals explore their sexual experiences, process their concerns and improve their sex life. We celebrate and affirm all sexual expressions within the parameters of sexual health as established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Please click here for a complete list of our sex therapy services.
We also work with individuals to support them in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. We help individuals overcome anxiety, depression, anger and relational distress. We often address issues of spirituality, purpose, calling, career and personal development and as well as parenting concerns. Please click here for a complete list of our counseling services for individuals.
The Marital Wellness Model
We believe your marital relationship is a situated within a systemic framework comprised of nine facets of wellness: Emotional, Physical, Relational, Spiritual, Sexual, Vocational, Financial, Social and Cultural. We call each of these facets “wellness points”. The health of each wellness point affects your marriage in positive or negative ways. In order for your relationship to experience lasting improvement, each wellness point must be functioning at a healthy level.
We approach all of our work with you with deep empathy and care because we believe that it is only through deeply empathetic care that can we accurately understand your concerns and help you heal from your relational wounds. We begin our work together by engaging you and your partner in a thorough assessment process. This assessment helps us to evaluate the health of each wellness point and to identify each area of marital wellness that needs to be addressed in order for your relationship to experience lasting improvement. This assessment takes into account both overt and covert stressors on your relationship, helps us to gain an accurate understanding of your needs, and improves treatment efficacy. Once this assessment process is completed we create a treatment plan with specific and measurable goals to address each point of marital wellness that needs improvement, and begin working with you toward your goals. In order to help you fully and effectively reach your goals, we utilize a team approach to address each wellness point of concern. Each one of our clinicians is experienced in working with the relational and emotional dynamics of a couples relationship. Additionally, each clinician has received training and/or certification in one or more areas of Marital Wellness and is available to become a part of the team that works with you to achieve your treatment goals.
The Marriage Point Team
Sexual Wellness Specialist & Financial Wellness Specialist
Lana is the Founder of The Marriage Point. She holds a Master’s of Science in Marital and Family Therapy and a Master’s of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Georgia. Lana is a Certified Sex Therapist with the American Association of Sex Therapists, Educators, and Counselors (AASECT). Lana is also trained in the emotional dynamics of finances. As the Sexual and Financial Wellness Specialist she addresses:
- Sex Therapy
- LGBTQIA Support
- Affair Recovery
- Sexual Identity
- Spirituality and Sexuality
- Mixed Orientation Couples
- Financial Infidelity
- Financial Health
Social Wellness Specialist
Leanne received her Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science from California Baptist University and her Master’s in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Leanne is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. Leanne is also a Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider. As the Social Wellness Specialist, she addresses:
- ADHD & the Couples Relationship
- Neuro-diverse couples
- Social Skills Training
- Social Anxiety
- Assertiveness Training
- Social Engagement & Responsibility
Leanne is available for appointments at our Marietta Location.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Dr. Schmitt holds his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia Wesleyan, Masters in School Counseling from Appalachian State, and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Georgia. He is a licensed professional counselor with the state of Georgia and has experience with several different groups, including children and couples.. As a Licensed Professional Counselor he addresses:
- Communication Difficulties
- ADHD in Couples
- Blended Families
- Parenting Concerns
- Anxiety
- Men’s Concerns
- Athletes
Erik is available for appointments at our Cumming Location.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Ayanna Allen, is a Marriage & Family Therapist in Marietta, GA. She specializes in Relational Issues, Family conflict, Low Self-esteem, and Sexual Identity. As a Marriage & Family Therapist she addresses issues such as:
- Relational Issues
- Sexual Identity
- Family Conflict
- Stress & Depression
- Anxiety & Grief
- Family & Adults in BIPOC Community
Ayanna is available for appointments at our Marietta Location.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Melissa is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Gottman Level I Certified Clinician and Relational Life Therapy Level One Certified. She specializes in couples work, affair recovery, and sex therapy.
- Sex Therapy
- Conflict Management
- Emotional Intimacy
- Interracial & Intercultural Relationships
- Couples Counseling
- Family Therapy
- Self Esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Generational Trauma
Melissa is available for appointments at our Cumming Location.
Associate Professional Counselor
Kasey is an Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She received her Bachelor’s from University of Maryland Baltimore County in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. She also utilizes Gottman Methods to facilitate constructive communication and cultivate intimacy, respect, and affection within romantic partnerships. As Associate Professional Counselor, she addresses issues such as:
- Couples Concerns
- Life Transitions
- Codependency
- Affair Recovery
- Trauma
- Women’s Issues
- Childhood Trauma
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Nancy has been in the field of counseling for more than 40 years. She received her Master of Science in Clinical and School Psychology from Tennessee State University, her Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and her Doctor or Ministry from Virginia Union University. She is an ordained elder with the United Methodist Church and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Throughout her career, Nancy has worked in private practice, community care, and non-profit organizations. Nancy deeply cares about the people she encounters and believes that we can all reach our potential with support, encouragement, and a positive spirit. As the Spiritual Wellness Specialist he addresses:
- High Conflict Couples
- Affair Recovery
- Couples in Ministry
- Couples in Recovery
- Professional Development
- Self Esteem
- Grief
- Culture & Race
Nancy is available for appointments at our Marietta Location.
Physical Wellness Specialist & Sexual Wellness Specialist
Gabriella is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Georgia. She earned dual degrees in Mass Media and Psychology from the University of Georgia. Additionally she completed a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and earned a Medical Family Therapy Certificate from the University of East Carolina. She is also trained in sexuality and sexual issues. As the Physical Wellness Specialist she addresses issues such as:
- Physical Wellness
- Sexual Identity
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Chronic Pain
- Trauma
- Psycho-Somatic Pain
- Inner Child Work
Gabriella is available for appointments at our Marietta Location.
Spiritual Wellness Specialist
Nelson is a pre-licensed professional and Master’s level intern at the Marriage Point. Nelson Banegas holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of La Verne and a Master’s in Divinity with an emphasis in Family Pastoral Care and Counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor in the State of Georgia. He is also an ordained Pastor. Nelson is currently working on his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. As the Spiritual Wellness Specialist he addresses:
- Pastoral Counseling
- Spiritual Growth
- Spiritual Abuse Recovery
- Clergy-Church Relations
- Purpose & Calling
- Ministry-Life Balance
Vocational Wellness Specialist
Sharickah Rogers is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia. She received her Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. Sharickah works with a variety of couples and individual concerns from a relational and emotional perspective. As the Vocational Wellness Specialist she addresses:
- Career Counseling
- Work-Life Balance
- Career Transitions
- Career Guidance
- Career Fulfillment & Marriage
- Professional Growth & Development
- Vocation & Calling
Sharickah is available for appointments at our Marietta Location.