Lela Flanery, LMSW Athens or Telehealth, Individuals & groups 18+
Lela Flanery, LMSW
BA, Psychology, Piedmont University 2014
MSW, Widener University, 2022
You deserve a space where you can show up exactly as you are — without judgment, pressure, or pretenses. In our work together, my goal is to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore the parts of yourself that need care and understanding.
I work with adults and loved ones navigating addiction recovery, trauma, neurodivergence, and identity-related challenges. My approach blends evidence-based therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. I also integrate mindfulness and body-based practices to help clients reconnect with themselves in the present moment — building awareness, emotional regulation, and compassion from the inside out.
Before entering graduate school, I spent several years exploring different areas of the mental health field to better understand where my passion and purpose aligned — ultimately finding that my heart belongs to supporting individuals in their healing and recovery journeys. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Piedmont University (formerly Piedmont College) in 2014 and my Master of Social Work from Widener University in 2022.
As someone who went without a voice for much of my life, I know how transformative it can be to finally feel heard. That experience fuels my passion for empowerment — helping others reclaim their voices, strengthen self-trust, and build meaningful connections. I believe therapy is not only a path toward healing, but also an opportunity to rediscover your own capacity for authenticity, growth, and belonging.
As a queer and neurodivergent clinician with lived experience in mental health recovery, I understand how vital it is to feel safe, accepted, and respected in the therapeutic space. I believe that self-care is health care — a radical and necessary act of honoring your mind, body, and spirit. My hope is to walk alongside you as you learn to create balance, deepen self-awareness, and embrace your own resilience.
Outside of my clinical work, I enjoy crafting, writing, and spending time with my cats — activities that keep me grounded, creative, and connected to the joy of everyday life.
Lela is seeing clients in our Athens office and via telehealth throughout Georgia starting in November, 2025. She will be in-network with Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Meritain, most Kaiser Permanente plans.
