President

Andrew Benesh is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. He completed his Ph.D. in Family Therapy at Florida State University and has taught at Mercer University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program since 2017, where he currently serves as Assistant Program Director for the Macon campus. Andrew has been active in multiple leadership roles in GAMFT, including serving as a Chapter Chair (2018 to 2021) and as Vice President (2022 – 2024), and has also filled leadership roles with other nonprofits including Siblings Forever, the Southeastern Council on Family Relations, and the Georgia Native Plant Society. Andrew’s clinical work has focused on systemic treatment of children and adolescents, and integrative care for clients with severe and persistent psychiatric conditions. Andrew also provides supervision for early career clinicians seeking to serve underserved communities.

Vice President

Elizabeth Bizzell is a LMFT and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She practices at Mercer Medicine in Macon, GA. Elizabeth graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine in 2005 with a Masters of Family Therapy and has held both clinical and leadership roles in Behavioral Health agencies in Middle Georgia since 2006.

Treasurer

Jetlexis Carlos is a licensed marriage and family therapist with credentials in Georgia, Florida, and New York. She serves as an Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director at Mercer University in the Master of Family Therapy Program. She holds the AAMFT-approved supervisor designation and is an AAMFT clinical fellow. She has also served on executive boards for MFT associations in FL and the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Dr. Carlos earned her Ph.D. in Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University, with clinical and research expertise that integrates Bowen family systems theory into couples counseling, conflict, and parenting strategies. She shares a passion for utilizing her knowledge of family systems theory and applying it in the therapy room, the community, and within organizations. Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Carlos enjoys being a devoted dog mom to her Chihuahua, Cocoa.Description goes here

Secretary

Past President

Over the past 19 years, Kara has worked in a variety of clinical, healthcare, and academic settings. In September 2014, Kara became founder/owner of her own private practice, Lifescapes Counseling Services, LLC, which is located in Alpharetta, Georgia. Additionally, Kara teaches clinical courses within the master’s level Marriage and Family Therapy Programs at both Mercer University and Northcentral University and provides post-graduate supervision for those seeking licensure as a MFT and/or LPC. Since 2016, Kara has been actively involved with GAMFT, serving as both Elections Committee member and currently, Elections Committee Chair. In her spare time, Kara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and playing tennis.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair

Lana is the Founder and Practice Owner of The Marriage Point, a group practice located in Marietta GA and Cumming GA. She holds a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Georgia and a Clinical Fellow with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She is also a AAMFT Supervisor Candidate. Lana is a Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). Most importantly, Lana is an unrepentant believer in authentic, secure and passionate relationships and is an advocate for deeper connection with Self, God, and Others.es here

Continuing Education Co-Chair

Approved Supervisor Chair

Dr. Arielle Saunders Blum is the owner of a private practice, Revive Therapy and Consulting. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving adult residents of Georgia and Florida, and she is passionate about using telehealth to increase access to quality mental health care for individuals, couples, and families. Arielle is also a part-time faculty member in the Master’s Marriage and Family Therapy program at Capella University. As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Arielle provides post-graduate supervision for licensure in Georgia and Florida, as well as at the master’s level for various universities in Georgia and across the country. Dr. Blum received her Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and her MS in MFT from Harding University in Arkansas. Her primary research interests involve the systemic training of marriage and family therapy students, as well as the implementation of technology into therapy and supervision.

Communications Chair

Abby Culin graduated from Atlanta’s Mercer University School of Medicine MFT program in 2019. She has been a GAMFT member since 2017 and joined the board in 2020. With experience in both the medical and social services systems, Abby values and prioritizes collaborative care. She believes in providing accessible and supportive mental health care and currently works for inclusive and affirming mental health practice that welcomes clients from all walks of life.

Student Committee Chair

Ethics Co-Chair

Membership Committee Chair 

Graduating from Fuller Seminary in 2015, Drew has operated his own private practice since 2018 in Atlanta and currently is a part of Midtown Psychotherapy Associates. He has been a GAMFT member since 2018 when he moved from Pasadena to Atlanta. The GAMFT connections with members were a vital part of Drew’s relocation back “home” to the south. Drew also provides post-graduate supervision for clinicians seeking MFT licensure. His clinical focus is children 8+, men, couples, and groups (parenting/ men/ social skills)- he’s also been known to host an epic Dungeons and Dragons game. When not in session, Drew loves playing basketball in the front yard with his 3 kids, nerding out on video games, or feeding his extroverted self with a rousing conversation.

Personnel Co-Chair

Public Relations Chair

Personnel Co-Chair

Legislative and Governmental Affairs Chair

Dan is the founder and lead therapist of his practice in Midtown Atlanta, Atlanta Family Therapy. He is also a senior mental health therapist at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he has served for 8 years, and currently provides in-house therapy to Grady employees in the Employee Resiliency program. Dan has participated in GAMFT activities since 2014 and January 2024 marks beginning of his sixth year of participation on the GAMFT Legislative Committee. Along with his experience as an AAMFT Family TEAM leader since 2018, in 2024, Dan is serving as the AAMFT Ethics Committee chair person for the last year of his three-year nomination.

Elections Committee Member

Elections Committee Member