Heartwood Marriage & Family Wellness

Meet Our Team

A growing community of compassionate clinicians, united by the belief that healing begins with meaningful connection.

Nikisha M. Dougè, founder and lead clinician of Heartwood

The heart behind Heartwood

Nikisha M. Dougè, LMFT

Founder & Lead Clinician

AAMFT Approved Supervisor-in-Training

Heartwood was founded on the belief that meaningful change begins when people feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported.

Through a systemic and attachment-focused approach, Nikisha leads a growing team committed to compassionate, intentional, and high-quality mental health care.

Read the Founder’s Story

Nikisha specializes in couples therapy and has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an attachment-based approach that helps couples understand emotional and relationship patterns beneath conflict and disconnection.

Her work also includes individual and family therapy, ADHD-related concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Nikisha blends systemic, attachment-focused, emotionally focused, and cognitive behavioral approaches based on each client's needs.

As founder and clinical leader, she provides mentorship and supervision to developing clinicians. Her doctoral research explores couples' experiences of emotional regulation, de-escalation, and emotional safety when one partner has adult ADHD.

Outside of work, Nikisha values family, learning, creativity, travel, and time for connection and laughter.

The people behind your care

Find Your Therapist

Different experiences, shared dedication. Explore our clinicians and get to know the people who bring Heartwood's approach to life.

All Clinicians Clinical Interns Associates Fully Licensed

Clinical Intern

Iesha Gilliam

MA · Clinical Intern

Supportive individual care for stress, life transitions, emotional wellness, and personal growth.

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Iesha Gilliam enjoys supporting individuals navigating life transitions, stress, emotional challenges, and personal growth. She strives to offer a welcoming, supportive environment where clients can feel comfortable being themselves while moving toward healthier thoughts, choices, and relationships.

Iesha listens without judgment and works collaboratively with clients to identify strengths, explore areas for change, and develop realistic steps toward their goals. She hopes clients feel supported and encouraged as they grow.

Iesha holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Education with a focus in Special Education, and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, shopping, music, and new experiences.

Associate Clinician

Precious Okoro

MS, APC · Associate Clinician

Collaborative couples care focused on communication, trust, intimacy, and emotional connection.

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Precious Okoro enjoys helping couples build healthier, more connected relationships. She welcomes premarital partners, dating couples, LGBTQ+ couples, and partners in ethically non-monogamous relationships. Her work includes communication, conflict, trust, intimacy, and emotional connection.

Precious offers a collaborative, nonjudgmental environment where both partners can feel heard. She explores the patterns and needs beneath recurring conflict and supports practical steps toward change without placing blame.

Precious earned her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University and is an Associate Professional Counselor in Georgia. Outside of therapy, she enjoys music, art, and spending time with loved ones.

Clinical Intern

Beyunka Foster

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern · LaGrange College

A warm, reflective approach with a special interest in supporting expectant and new mothers.

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Beyunka Foster is a clinical mental health counseling intern currently completing her master's degree at LaGrange College. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges while developing greater self-awareness, resilience, and confidence.

Beyunka has a special interest in working with soon-to-be and new mothers as they navigate the emotional and life changes that accompany motherhood. She also welcomes individuals from different backgrounds and life stages. Her approach begins with building trust, listening carefully, and creating a space where clients feel heard and understood. She encourages reflection, celebrates small steps of progress, and helps clients develop practical tools for everyday challenges.

Beyunka is working toward an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at LaGrange College. She hopes clients leave feeling heard, understood, and empowered. Outside of clinical work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, trying new restaurants, and taking long walks.

Fully Licensed Clinicians

Heartwood Is Growing

Licensed care at Heartwood is led by founder Nikisha M. Dougè, LMFT. We're welcoming inquiries from independently licensed clinicians who share our commitment to compassionate, relationship-centered care.

Apply to Join Heartwood →

We’re Growing Our Team

Help Us Bring More Care to Our Communities

Heartwood welcomes inquiries from fully licensed clinicians and thoughtful professionals who are interested in growing with a relationship-centered practice.

Explore Clinician Opportunities →

Behind the scenes

Care Begins Before Your First Session

Our practice support team helps make the process of reaching out, getting answers, and connecting with care feel welcoming and organized.

Rhien Norris Burress

Administrative Intern

Supporting the welcoming experience, communication, and day-to-day operations of Heartwood.

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Rhien is a senior psychology student at Georgia State University with interests in human behavior, organizational dynamics, and professional development. He brings experience in communication, teamwork, and student leadership to Heartwood.

As an administrative intern, Rhien is developing hands-on experience while supporting team coordination and the practice's day-to-day operations.