Jay Dillard

Jay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been providing therapy since 2013. He genuinely considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients through all seasons of their lives and stories—toward greater hope, connection, and personal agency. Jay is honored to work with individuals and couples seeking relief from anxiety, depression, and unhelpful coping patterns, while also exploring the deeper emotional and existential questions that naturally arise in life.

Jay’s work goes beyond symptom reduction. Together with clients, he focuses on meaning-making—helping individuals feel more comfortable being uncomfortable, face uncertainty with greater self-trust, and build resilience. When desired, Jay thoughtfully integrates clients’ spirituality and faith as an evidence-based support for healing and growth. One of the most meaningful aspects of his work is helping clients experience deeper emotional connection, reciprocal empathy, and authenticity in their relationships with partners, family, and friends.

Jay’s clinical approach is primarily grounded in attachment theory, while drawing from evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential therapy, mindfulness, Family Systems, and other modalities tailoring therapy to each client’s unique needs. He especially enjoys supporting clients through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, helping them resolve internal conflicts and foster greater harmony among all parts of themselves—allowing for choices that align more consistently with core values rather than feeling internally divided. He is deeply collaborative in his work, emphasizing that clients remain in control of their life’s direction. Therapy is centered on what matters most to the client, while also incorporating thoughtful feedback informed by Jay’s clinical experience.

Jay believes that true growth begins when people feel deeply seen and understood as they are, not as they “should” be. He strives to offer this presence to his clients, as well as in his own life and relationships. Research strongly supports this belief: when individuals feel accepted and understood, fear of rejection decreases and the brain’s capacity for change and integration increases. Jay recognizes that this kind of understanding takes time as trust and healing develop. While progress is rarely linear, it is deeply meaningful when clients are able to reflect on how far they’ve come.

Jay holds a belief that divine grace and mercy are integral to the healing process, and that every human being is intrinsically valuable—made in the image of a God who is love. This belief fuels his commitment to healing, justice, and advocacy for those who are marginalized or oppressed. He views the counseling journey as a powerful vehicle for renewal and transformation, and he values learning from his clients as they bring their own existential frameworks and spiritual perspectives into the work. Maintaining authentic connection and open communication is central to Jay’s approach, allowing therapy to evolve alongside clients’ changing needs.

A note from Jay — “Outside of therapy, I enjoy spending time with my wife, three children, extended family, and friends—often cooking for and experimenting with new recipes for those I love. I’m an avid sports fan and enjoy watching UGA football, Braves baseball, Atlanta Hawks basketball, U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team soccer, and even the Atlanta Falcons—especially when paired with a good cocktail. I also love being outdoors, playing disc golf with family and friends, and nerding-out over the intersection of Christian theology, psychological research, and history.”