Embark at Atlanta North

Embark at the Atlanta North offers premier, outpatient therapy and support for ages 13-17, helping them build joyful lives and address mental health and addiction issues. Our empathetic, experienced staff use proven, reliable treatments verified by data. We match the best of what technology offers with the highest level of emotional connection and support, creating lasting, sustainable change.

Tour Embark at Atlanta North

Embark at Atlanta North is a peaceful, restorative place. We match a comfortable, nurturing environment with proven, reliable treatments and therapies that will enable your teen to heal and grow.

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS

Position: VP of Operations
Credentials: Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS
Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy. D. is a licensed psychotherapist and certified clinical trauma professional who specializes in the treatment of complex trauma. Her dedication to serving children, youth, and adults has spanned over 20-years with a focus on utilizing trauma-informed services to treat a continuum of trauma experiences, including domestic minor sex trafficking and community-based trauma. Dr. Myles is the Executive Director of JoyUs Beginnings Child & Family Wellness Center and The Urban Trauma Positive Impact Center, Inc., an exclusive trauma-informed treatment and advocacy center located in Atlanta, Georgia. Services include trauma informed therapies, trauma assessments, group treatments, gender specific social justice initiatives for girls of color and PeriCare a 2-Gen maternal fetal behavioral health treatment and advocacy initiative. Dr. Myles served as the first Clinical Director for youthSpark, Inc. and was to serve vulnerable youth who experienced exploitation, abuse, and other victimizations within the Fulton County Juvenile Court (FCJC), the largest juvenile court in the southeast region. Throughout her career, Dr. Myles has consulted with systems of care, such as East Cleveland’s MyCom, Inc. and Minnesota’s Robbinsdale Area Schools, to develop trauma-informed systems of care, policy, programming, and training on trauma and equity. In December 2018, Dr. Myles collaborated with Atlanta Public School Board Member Erika Mitchell – District 5 and co-authored the first Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) Protocol for schools in the state of Georgia and has trained hundreds of school social workers on this policy. In addition, she has trained over ten thousand individuals on the impact of trauma DMST which includes Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, corporations, law enforcement, mental health providers, educators, lawyers, governmental officials, community members, and youth. Dr. Myles has accepted many leadership positions throughout her career. She is the current Advisory Board Chair for the DeKalb County Juvenile Court Mental Health Court – Journey Program, a member of the Georgia Statewide Multi-Disciplinary Team for Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Board Chair for Breaking the Cycle, Inc (Philadelphia), and was the Vice Chair of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Taskforce Survivors Supported and Protected workgroup. Dr. Myles is a subject matter expert and provides expert testimony in legal cases involving child and adolescent trauma. She has presented at various conferences and has experience in vast settings such as clinical, juvenile justice, Department of Defense, and community-based settings.

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS

VP of Operations

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy. D. is a licensed psychotherapist and...

Shellina Jenkins

Position: Enrollment Director

Shellina Jenkins is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. Shellina gained interest in helping individuals fight the battle against substance abuse and mental health as a young child. She was eager to find a way to help those in need very close to her. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Georgia State University, and her Master’s Degree from Fort Valley University. Shellina has a variety of work experience with adolescents and adults in corrections, drug court, foster care, mental health clinics, working with individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Prior to joining Embark Behavioral Health, Shellina has held leadership positions in mental health clinics and corrections. She has also worked in private practice settings to assist in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, SPMI and substance abuse. Shellina has provided training on suicide prevention/intervention, substance abuse and mental health in community-based settings and in corrections.

Shellina’s philosophy on behavioral change involves several treatment modalities such as role modeling / teaching to encourage positive thoughts & behaviors, focusing on positive outcomes utilizing CBT, DBT, solution focused approach etc.

Shellina Jenkins

Enrollment Director

Shellina Jenkins is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state...

Natasha Carr

Position: Executive Assistant

Natasha is an alumnus of Georgia State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree with a concentration in Managerial Science.  She also Graduated from Georgia Military College Phi Theta Kappa Cum Laude with an Associate in Science, Business Administration degree.  Natasha has a passion for human service and has expended over twenty years of her career working for the State of California, Department of Health and Human Services.  She worked as a leader in her church, Friendship Community Church where she was a facilitated young adult and children and youth groups.  Natasha has a desire to make difference in all she does and have a positive impact on the lives of people she has interactions with.

Natasha Carr

Executive Assistant

Natasha is an alumnus of Georgia State University where she...

Dr. Amanda Nicholson, LMFT, M.Ed.

Position: Clinical Director
Credentials: LMFT, M.Ed.

Dr. Amanda N. Nicholson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in Sex Therapy. Dr. Amanda specializes in individual, family therapy, coaching, and couple’s therapy. Her areas of specialty include sexuality, religion, relationship issues, anxiety, trauma, and depression. Dr. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavior Analysis with a minor in Africana Studies from Savannah State University, Master of Family Therapy from Mercer University, Master of Education in Human Sexuality Studies with a concentration in Sex Therapy from Widener University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Human Sexuality Studies with a concentration in Sex Therapy from Widener University. Dr. Amanda is a trauma informed therapist who is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Having a family theory informed approached Dr. Amanda enjoys using Narrative, Emotional Focused, and Structural therapies in her therapeutic approach while collaborating with her students and families about their care. Dr. Amanda is also a college instructor with five years of teaching experience in the University System of Georgia.

In her free time Dr. Amanda enjoys reading books that whisk her imagination off to new places, practicing yoga, eating food good for the soul, watching movies that make her laugh until she cries and enjoying life to the fullest.

Dr. Amanda Nicholson, LMFT, M.Ed.

Clinical Director

Dr. Amanda N. Nicholson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Marriage and...

Dr. Cassandra Simms 1

Dr. Cassandra Simms

Position: Psychiatrist

Dr. Cassandra Simms is board certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Simms received her medical degree from the University of Kentucky in 1999. She completed her Psychiatry Residency and Child/Adolescent Fellowship at the University of South Carolina. During her residency, she served on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Residency Selection Committee, and was chosen to be Chief Resident for the Child & Adolescent Fellowship Program.

In May 2004, Dr. Simms moved to Chattanooga Tennessee with her family where she started her professional career with Focus Psychiatric Services, Inc. and Parkridge Valley Hospital treating children and adolescents in an outpatient and inpatient setting until August 2012.

In August 2012, Dr. Simms took a position with Community Health Systems via Skyridge Medical Center now known as Tennova Healthcare in Cleveland Tennessee. She provided outpatient care to adults and children at Behavioral Health of Cleveland and inpatient care to adults at Pineridge Treatment Center (Tennova Behavioral Health) via acute hospitalization, inpatient consultation and intensive outpatient programs until August 2015.

It was in August 2015, Dr. Simms transitioned to her outpatient private practice as a co-owner of Comprehensive Psychiatric Care, PLLC in Chattanooga Tennessee. She has been joined by several therapists and a Nurse Practitioner to provide services to our beloved community. Dr. Simms collaborates with Healthconnect of America to provide supervision to nurse practitioners in the surrounding area and with Allied Behavioral Services, Inc. to provide consistent medication management services to their clients.

In November 2020 while continuing her outpatient services, Dr. Simms was thrilled to join the Embark Behavioral Health’s newest program, The Forge School, a behavioral residential treatment center for boys in Benton Tennessee. She will serve as the Psychiatric Service Director to oversee and provide the psychiatric care to the residents referred to the facility.

During her 17 years as a provider, Dr. Simms has also found a passion for teaching students through her clinical experiences. In 2009, Dr. Simms became a faculty member with the University of Tennessee School of Medicine where she briefly served as preceptor for medical students for a portion of their psychiatry rotation. In 2012, Dr. Simms contracted with Lincoln Memorial University’s Physician Assistant program providing their behavioral health clinical experience. Dr. Simms hopes through her current clinical experiences that she can continue to educate upcoming providers and provide them with a thorough clinical psychiatric experience. This is with the hope to make upcoming providers aware of the need for good psychiatric care in our communities and to reduce the stigma associated with mental health.

Dr. Cassandra Simms 1

Dr. Cassandra Simms

Psychiatrist

Dr. Cassandra Simms is board certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent...

Chavalle Taylor

Position: Primary Therapist

Chavalle Taylor

Primary Therapist

D’Arcy Reynolds

Position: Case Manager

D’Arcy Reynolds

Case Manager

Marla Young

Position: Nurse

Marla Young

Nurse

Danielle Wade

Position: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Danielle Wade

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Delquis Mendoza

Position: Psychiatrist

Dr. Delquis Mendoza

Psychiatrist

Maria Ngangha

Position: Lead Therapist

Maria Ngangha

Lead Therapist

Keisha Carver

Position: Therapist

Keisha Carver

Therapist

About Our Location

located just outside the Atlanta, Georgia metro area.

A healing, nurturing, and safe environment to help families and their children address and overcome the issues that may be affecting their everyday lives.

Individual, family, and group therapy, therapeutic/peer mentoring, and parent coaching.

Interventions & Therapies

As a pioneer and leader in quality outcomes, we have gathered more data than any other provider over the past 10 years and only offer treatment that we know drives long-lasting, sustainable results. We offer customized, individual therapeutic programs to enable your daughter to thrive. Specialized services and areas of focus include:

See the difference for yourself

"You have been a God-send in our lives and we are very, very grateful for the love and concern and support you've shown each of us, but especially our daughter. We miss you folks. I even miss Utah!"
"Your unending patience, tireless commitment, and absolute brilliance gave us our daughter, and gave our daughter her life."
"I only wish there was more I could do to express to you my love, affection, and gratitude for all you've been in my life and in hers. I am delight that our relationship will continue."
"You have helped me so much this year. I used to not understand English, but you have helped me to become involved in class and to get into books. It's been a lot easier to learn in a caring environment. Thank you for helping me get interested in school again."
"When we brought our daughter to New Haven, we thought she might never want a relationship with us again. She's changed so much, we wonder if you switched her with someone else! New Haven has given us our daughter back."
"Both staff and peers at New Haven befriended me and helped me to open up and share. Once I realized that people liked me for who I am, I started to like myself. This was exactly what I needed. I needed gentle, caring people to help me."
"I, too, will miss everyone there but each and every one of you has left an imprint on my daughter. We will be reminded of that imprint each and every day as we watch her grow and mature into the truly amazing person she is. Thank you doesn't even being to try to tell you how grateful I am."
"You've helped to bring serenity to our lives and to our daughter."
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Start Your Healing Journey Today!

Short-term treatment typically lasts one to three months. Teens best suited for short-term treatment often have engaged in other therapeutic programs like outpatient or intensive outpatient therapy and need a 24-hour continuum of care. Our unique, relationship-based treatments use extensive data collection to improve treatment plans and interventions in real-time, creating long-lasting, sustainable, verified results.