Meet Carolyn Amayo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolyn Amayo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I think about risk-taking, I view it as a necessary catalyst for personal and professional growth. One of the biggest risks I took was deciding to switch my major in college from Finance to Psychology during my junior year. At that point, I had already completed most of my core finance courses and was on a clear path toward a career in the financial sector. However, I found myself consistently more engaged in my psychology electives and realized my true passion lay in understanding human behavior and helping others navigate their challenges.

This decision meant extending my time in college and taking on additional coursework, but it ultimately aligned me with a profession that feels genuinely fulfilling. Looking back, what seemed like a risky detour actually set me on the path to becoming the therapist I am today. I believe calculated risks, those guided by self-awareness and genuine passion, are essential for discovering where we truly belong professionally.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with a focus on treating anxiety disorders—particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety. What sets me apart is my gentle, client-led therapeutic style combined with the ability to hold clients accountable. I’ve developed what I consider a boutique-style practice, ensuring clients have easy access to me during crises and currently offering same-week availability for new clients.

The path to where I am today had its share of unexpected turns. Learning to embrace the natural rhythm of private practice has been one of my most significant growth opportunities. Therapy work naturally ebbs and flows with busy periods followed by quieter seasons, and I’ve come to appreciate this pattern rather than resist it. This acceptance has taught me valuable lessons about sustainability in this field. Alongside this professional maturation, I’ve pushed myself to develop skills that didn’t initially come naturally—particularly marketing and networking. Though these aspects of practice building once felt uncomfortable, I’ve experienced considerable growth in these areas while remaining true to my therapeutic values and authentic approach. This balance between business development and clinical integrity has been crucial to creating a practice that truly represents who I am as a therapist.

What I want people to know about working with me is that I excel at holding two truths simultaneously—validating clients’ experiences while challenging them to make necessary changes in their lives. This balance creates a therapeutic environment where clients feel both supported and empowered to grow. I believe deeply in the human capacity for change, and I consider it a privilege to witness and facilitate that process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta for a week, I’d make sure they got the full ATL experience! First thing’s first—drinks! Man, I still pour one out for Little Trouble (RIP to a legend), but nowadays Draw Bar has become my go-to spot when I need those craft cocktail vibes.

For food, we’d definitely hit up Grana in Buckhead for some amazing Italian. Trust me, you CANNOT skip their build-your-own cannoli—it’s a religious experience! I’d take them through the Belt Line for that perfect Atlanta blend of food, shopping, and people-watching all in one spot.

Being a total book nerd, I’d drag them to Virginia Highland Books and Brave and Kind Books to browse for hours. Nothing beats getting lost in those quiet aisles while scoring some new reads.

The absolute best part about Atlanta though? The Black excellence that pulses through this city. There’s seriously no place like Atlanta for seeing Black creativity, entrepreneurship, and culture thriving everywhere you look. I love traveling and seeing the world, but there’s something about coming back to Atlanta that just feels right. It’s the only city where I never have to feel alone because there are so many people who look like me, creating spaces where I can truly be myself. That’s something you can’t put a price tag on.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to three exceptional professors from Richmont Graduate University who fundamentally shaped my practice: Dr. Michael Jones, Dr. Matt Casada, and Dr. Stanley Hoover. These mentors instilled in me a profound appreciation for the art of therapy and cultivated my curiosity about the remarkable human capacity for change. Their teaching went beyond textbook approaches—they encouraged me to lean into the unique therapeutic relationships that foster growth and healing. Each professor empowered me to trust the process, to sit with clients in their pain while maintaining unwavering belief in their potential for transformation. Their guidance helped me develop not just as a clinician but as someone who bears witness to the resilience of the human spirit. The foundation they provided, bridging empirical knowledge with genuine therapeutic presence, continues to influence how I approach my work with clients every day.

Website: https://www.simplifyatlanta.com/portfolio/carolyn-amayo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynmamayo/