Georgia Behavioral Health Professionals of Medical Arts

Dr. Stewart Shevitz has been in Augusta since 1992. After obtaining his BA from the University of Virginia in Psychology, Dr. Shevitz attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and then went on to do his psychiatric training at Dartmouth Medical School. He has worked in a variety of settings including the Navajo Indian Reservation, Vanderbilt University, and served as Director of Psychiatry at a large general hospital in Eugene, OR before coming to Augusta. Since... his arrival in Augusta he has been on the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia serving as Interim Chair on two occasions of the Department of Psychiatry and directed the psychiatry residency training program for 15 years. He has a longstanding interest in the treatment of adults with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and enjoys working at the interface of psychiatry and medicine. He is passionate advocate for ethical, compassionate, and high quality care for the patients he serves. #GBHP #MentalHealth #AugustaGA

Cathy Espy is a board-certified Physician Assistant with 15 years of experience practicing in mental health and she is based out of our new Duluth, GA location. Throughout her career, she has worked in many specialties, however working in mental health has been the most rewarding. Cathy has a heart of compassion to help her patients experience life to the fullest. She believes in treating the whole person including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. #MentalHealth #DuluthGA

Know the Truth About Telehealth Myth: Providers cannot prescribe medication during telehealth appointments. Fact: Qualified medical providers can write prescriptions to telehealth patients when needed.... Myth: Insurance doesn't cover telehealth. Fact: While telehealth coverage used to be rare, most insurance companies have begun covering these visits. Myth: Telehealth isn't effective, especially for mental health. Fact: Studies have shown time and time again that telehealth is as effective as in-person mental health care. In fact, for some patients, telehealth is better. Learn about the benefits of telehealth first-hand. Click below to visit our website and schedule your appointment today! #MentalHealth #Therapy #TeleHealth #GA https://bit.ly/32EeY6W

Meah McCray, PMHNP-BC, is an advocate for individuals and families impacted by mental illness. She has several years of behavioral health experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in inpatient and outpatient settings. In these settings, Meah used her experience, commitment, and dedication, to deliver culturally competent care to ensure everyone was treated with respect and dignity. Meah enjoys spending time with her family, riding her bike, and working in the yard. Meah is a provider out of our Woodstock, GA location, visit our website to book an appointment with her or any of our providers today! #MentalHealth #WoodstockGA #Therapy

Nearly 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Three out of four Americans reported feeling stressed in the last month, a 2017 study found. But in one of these moments, if asked which you were experiencing worry, stress or anxiety would you know the difference? #Stress #Anxiety #MentalHealth

Dr. Eschette is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist servng patients in our Savannah office. Her special areas of interest include: Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents and Adults, Attention Deficit Disorders, Stress Management and Crisis Intervention. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Tulane University and the University of Southern Mississippi. She completed her internship at the University of Tennessee Medical College. #MentalHealth #ClinicalPsychology #SavannahGA

"Disruption of community support groups, loss of work, illness, and other stressors can make it difficult to get into or maintain recovery. Relapse rates are rising." Read the article below to see how you can fight triggers and avoid relapsing during the Covid-19 pandemic. #addiction #mentalhealth #triggers

We wish you all a Happy Father’s Day!

Black Lives Matter. We hear you, we see you and we support you. #BlackLivesMatter #MentalHealth #Therapy

PTSD affects approximately 3.5% of adults in the United States. While it is most often associated with individuals with a military background, it can affect anyone who has been through a traumatic event. This article shows how it can manifest in your daily lives and how teletherapy can help. #mentalhealth #teletherapy #PTSD

Mary Opara, B. Ed, RN, MSN, PMHCNS-BC is a board-certified Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist at Georgia Behavioral Health Professionals at the Duluth, GA and Johns Creek, GA locations. Mary's style is collaborative, direct, and nonjudgmental. She emphasizes authentic therapeutic connection and individual resilience, autonomy, and recovery. Mary has experience in and enjoys working with a diverse group of people and issues, including anxiety, de...pression, psychosis, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, PTSD, OCD, trauma recovery, ADHD, and behavior change, especially around drug and alcohol use. Mary's focus is also on providing holistic care in way of promoting physical, mental, emotional, relational and spiritual health. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Nurse, Mary provides supportive therapy as well as manage and prescribe medications. Medications can be a sensitive topic. Her goal is to create a safe place and offer a balanced perspective to support you in making an informed decision about your care. Mary has psychotherapeutic training includes Psychodynamic, Humanistic, & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Mary uses aspects of these therapeutic modalities, rather than adhering to just one, in order to best serve the patient's needs. Mary believes that like snowflakes, no two individuals are alike. Mary seeks out client strengths to collaboratively build a return to healing. Mary's approach is to work with the patient on relaxation techniques such as visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing. She has always been very committed to the care of her patients. #mentalhealth #psychiatric #therapy #gbhp

After centuries of shame and misrepresentation the term mental health is losing the stigma. Check out this article by Nicole Spector about the progress made and the work still to be done. "The most important step we can take toward advancing mental health care in 2020 and beyond is giving people all people their rightful access to it." #mentalhealth #losethestigma #therapy

We're here for you during these uncertain and constantly changing times. Our dedicated professionals located around the state are taking new patients now through video visits. Dr. Kessen enjoys taking a personalized approach to each patient she sees, taking into account their unique life experiences. She treats adult patients ages 18 and older with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as others falling under general psychiatry. Dr. Kessen is known to be a good listener who cares greatly for her patients. Dr. Kessen recently relocated from Colorado with her husband and two young sons. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and when time allows cooking and being outside with nature. Visit our website to schedule an appointment with her or any of our mental health professionals today! #mentalhealth #behavioralhealth #therapy

What are some barriers individuals face when making the decision to seek help from a mental health professional? LifeStance Health recorded a podcast with Dr. Aimee Thompson, a clinical psychologist with 10 years of experience, to discuss how we can help eliminate stigmas surrounding mental health. Click below to listen and see how you can help join the fight. #mentalhealth #eliminatethestigma #therapy #gbhp

Are you suffering from Coronavirus related anxiety but can’t see your therapist due to social distancing guidelines? GBHP provides you with the ability to see them through video visits on a secure line. Check out this article from Psychology Today that sheds some light on anxiety during #COVID19 and how #teletherapy can help.