Akemi McGoogan , LCSW, CSW

Akemi McGoogan is a Georgia-based licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, life transitions, parenting challenges, and career concerns. She blends practical skills with a motivational approach that focuses on shifting thought patterns from defeat to empowerment, drawing on mindfulness, solution-focused work, cognitive strategies, and acceptance-based tools to help clients move forward.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from NC Central University in Durham, NC, and a master’s in Direct Practice Social Work from SUNY Albany in Albany, NY. She holds the credentials LCSW and CSW - LCSW denotes Licensed Clinical Social Worker and CSW denotes a clinical social work credential in Georgia - and brings both clinical training and real-world experience to her practice.

Akemi has a particular interest in supporting mothers and has authored several books aimed at postpartum women and mindful practices for parents, including "15 Minute Journal Prompts for the Postpartum Mom," "Mindful Mandalas for Moms," and "Her Path to PEACE." She also has experience working with children, military servicemembers and veterans, couples, and young adults.

Warm, goal-oriented, and nonjudgmental, she works collaboratively with clients to set clear objectives and choose evidence-informed strategies that fit each person’s needs. When a referral to a colleague is in the client’s best interest - for example in cases involving bipolar disorder, borderline personality features, schizophrenia, eating disorders, or substance use disorders - she will make that recommendation to ensure appropriate care.

Her practice emphasizes practical change: helping people reduce overthinking, manage anxiety attacks, find greater clarity and motivation, improve relationships, and reclaim a sense of hope and forward momentum.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Growth and Change

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take small committed actions even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It is useful for clients who want to reduce avoidance, increase psychological flexibility, and pursue meaningful life goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress-related concerns by teaching skills for immediate symptom relief and longer-term coping.

Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns in close relationships that influence current reactions and expectations, helping clients improve connection, communication, and intimacy in family and romantic relationships.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, try out techniques, and adapt the plan based on what feels most effective and true to the client’s goals and preferences.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - clients can meet by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit sessions into busy lives, manage caregiving responsibilities, or access support from home. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to practice new skills between sessions with guidance from licensed professionals.