Geri Burgess, LPC

Geri Burgess is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. She aims to make the first steps toward change feel manageable and supported. Her style is warm and straightforward, focused on listening and practical next steps rather than jargon.

Geri creates an open space where clients can talk about their thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged. She centers the conversation on the concerns brought in, whether that is trouble sleeping, anger, career stress, or struggles with self-esteem. Sessions move at a client's pace and focus on what matters most right now.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered listening, and mindfulness techniques to help people notice unhelpful thinking and try new ways of responding. She also uses motivational interviewing and existential ideas to clarify values and goals. These methods are used together in a practical, down-to-earth way.

Geri has worked across a range of challenges including trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and issues related to gender and sexual identity. She helps people dealing with family of origin problems, attachment and abandonment wounds, and the strain of caregiving.

Sessions are offered in English and Geri is licensed to practice in Alabama and Michigan. She supports people who prefer video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging and will collaborate on a plan that fits each person's life.

How Geri’s Approaches Work Online

Geri commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered listening in online work. CBT helps people notice patterns of thought that worsen mood or anxiety and then test new, practical ways of thinking and behaving. Client-centered listening focuses on the person's experience and priorities, giving space to talk and identify what matters most.

She also draws on mindfulness techniques to teach simple awareness exercises that reduce reactivity and improve sleep or focus. Together these approaches aim to be collaborative - the therapist and client decide what to try based on the client’s goals, needs, and day-to-day life. Finding the right mix is part of the process and Geri will adjust strategies as progress and preferences become clearer.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for skill practice and deeper work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, homework support, or when scheduling conflicts make real-time meetings harder. These options are intended to provide flexibility so therapy can fit into busy or changing lives.