Inspiring Conversations with Anthea Johnson of Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthea Johnson.

Hi Anthea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I founded Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta with a clear and heartfelt mission: to provide quality, accessible mental health care for all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance. From the very beginning, my vision has been to create a safe, compassionate, and empowering space where individuals and families feel understood and supported as they navigate life’s challenges. I strongly believe that when people are given access to quality behavioral health services, they can realize their full potential and move toward living whole, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
When I launched the practice in 2018, I was determined to ensure that every service we offered, whether individual, couples, family, or group counseling, was grounded in evidence-based, person-centered approaches. Our goal was, and continues to be, to empower individuals to realize their full potential by addressing not only their symptoms, but also their strengths, values, and goals.
At the core of BHS of Atlanta is the belief that mental health is health. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a whole and healthy life. By providing compassionate, trauma-informed services and advocating for systemic change, we help clients and families move from crisis toward resilience, healing, and growth. The work has been deeply rewarding, and it continues to shape how we expand our services, train clinicians, and engage with the community. My commitment remains the same as it was on day one: to make mental health care not just available, but welcoming, effective, and transformative for every individual we serve.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but each challenge has helped shape the growth of Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta. Like many providers, the pandemic forced me to shift overnight from in-person sessions to exclusively virtual services. While that transition was successful, it required a great deal of flexibility, learning new systems, and supporting clients through a time of collective uncertainty. By 2021, with a desire to get back to in-person interactions, I accepted a mental health leadership role within the community, during that period, offered only minimal and part-time services through the practice.
Although I had a rewarding experience in leadership within that corporate setting, I continued to feel the draw, and truly the spiritual calling, to return to the work I had started through Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta. That calling eventually brought me back to private practice full time, where I’ve been able to expand from a solo practice into a group practice with other providers. The challenges of shifting service models, balancing roles, and finding the right time to return full time have not always been easy, but they have reaffirmed my commitment to the mission of providing quality, accessible care. Every step has deepened my belief in the importance of this work and strengthened my vision for the practice’s future growth.

As you know, we’re big fans of Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta is a private practice dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality mental health care for individuals and families across the lifespan. We serve children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, offering a range of evidence-based services including individual, family, and group. Our specialization lies in bridging service gaps, while maintaining a compassionate, person-centered approach to treatment.
What sets us apart is our commitment to accessibility. We believe quality mental health services should be available to everyone, so we accept most major insurances, including BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Medicaid, Amerigroup, and CareSource. By reducing financial barriers, we ensure that more individuals and families can engage in the support they need to live healthier, more balanced lives.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of our reputation for creating safe, supportive spaces where clients feel valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Our work is rooted in decreasing the stigma around mental health, meeting clients where they are, and promoting resilience and growth at every stage of life.
What I want readers to know about Behavioral Health Services of Atlanta is simple: mental health is health. Our mission is to make compassionate, evidence-based care accessible to all, so that individuals and families can realize their full potential and live whole, healthy, and fulfilling lives. I have a saying, “If you have never needed a counselor, keep on living”.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Yes, I’ve found that certain resources have been invaluable both personally and professionally in helping me stay grounded and continue growing. Each morning, I enjoy starting my day with the podcast Circle Time for the Soul with Diana Marie. It sets a positive and reflective tone, reminding me of the importance of nurturing both my spiritual walk with Christ and practicing mindfulness in my work and personal life.
Professionally, I enjoy the podcast Tools for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Counselor Toolbox with Dr. Dawn Elise Snipes. It provides practical strategies and insights that I can apply not only in my clinical work but also in supervising and supporting other providers within my practice.
A book that continues to resonate deeply with me is The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, which has shaped much of the way I understand trauma and integrate trauma-informed care into our services. In addition, Mind Over Mood by Dr. Dennis Greenberger and Dr. Christine Padesky is one of my favorite resources for cognitive behavioral therapy. It is practical, accessible, and offers powerful strategies that clients and clinicians alike can use to reframe thinking patterns and build healthier coping skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bhsofatlanta.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhsofatl