“Nia” Junia Baker
LPC CPCS
Beginning therapy, particularly after experiences where you have felt hurt or misunderstood, can feel overwhelming.
I work from the mindset that trust is built through honesty, authenticity, and acceptance and that, in any given moment, we are all doing the best we can and we have the capacity to increase our connection.
I offer trauma-informed integrative individual therapy with a strength-based focus and anti-oppressive lens towards understanding and celebrating our adaptiveness.
My goal is to work with you towards exploring areas where you'd like to see new life instead of feeling stuck and discouraged.
I believe connection is something to be practiced, not perfected, and focus on a neurodiverse and multicultural perspective related to how we connect and learn. Often, when we don’t feel safe, we find ways to adapt that may disrupt our connection, in order to reorient to safety. These adaptations are brilliant, and I love to learn how my clients have adapted, honor the energy that took, and support returning to your unique qualities that give you agency. We also use resourcing to safety and the kindling towards connecting to others in the ways that fit our values and authenticity.
I use compassion, humor, and movement to create ripples that let hope slip in and grow so you are able to see the strength you possess towards long term embodiment.
I love connecting with other beings and will often have my co-therapist Pine present in sessions. She offers supportive touch and grounding for clients who would like to connect with a furry friend. I also offer walking sessions or en vivo exposure sessions outside the office. Please let me know your interests and what is most supportive to you.
Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) #010306 in the state of Georgia (2018 - present)
Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) member #1975 through LPCA (2021-present)
National Counselor Certification (NCC) from the Board Of Certified Counselors (NBCC) #624532 (2015-present)
Green Cross Compassion Fatigue Therapist & Educator Certification (2016)
RYT 200 hours through Yoga Alliance (2023)
Clinical Training
Intensive Training
Somatic Experiencing Student; Intermediate Level (2022-present)
Further Somatic Experiencing Training (2023)
Neurodivergence, Trauma, and Somatic Experiencing with Sarah Schlote, MA, RP, CCC, SEP
Somatic Experiencing For Animals with Sarah Schlote, MA, RP, CCC, SEP
Inner Relationship Focusing - A Somatically Based Parts Work Model with Maureen Gallagher, Phd, SEP, Psychologist, SE Faculty Member, IRF Trainer
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy for OCD 4 day intensive training through The Cognitive Behavior Institute Center for Education (2022)
CBCT (Compassion Based Cognitive Therapy) Training through the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University (2021)
Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) 2 week intensive training from Tom Lynch, creator, with supervision from Dr. Nicole Little, senior clinician (2017-2019)
DBT-SUD (Substance Use Disorder) 2 day training through Behavioral Tech (2019)
Foundational Training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through the Behavioral Tech (2017)
EMDR trained through EMDRIA Humanitarian Assistance Programs (HAP) (2016-2018)
TF-CBT Certification from the Medical University of South Carolina (2014)
Paths to Peace intensive 200 hour yoga teacher training (2023)
Highlighted One Day Trainings
Special Topics in IFS Therapy: The Presence of the Therapist, Polarizations, Extreme Protectors, and the Cycle of Addiction - 8 hours (2021)
Telemental Health: Breaking Geographical Boundaries in Counseling by Sonja Sutherland PHD LPC - 6 hrs (2020)
The Business Side of Therapy: Maintaining Ethical & Legal Standards While Growing Your Practice (With COVID/Online Practice Updates) (2022)
Yoga for Resiliency and Trauma Recovery: Level 1 with Sacred Roots Wellness (2018)
Behavioral Tech Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Treating the Eating Disordered Client with Multiple Problems, Assessment, Management, and Treatment of Individuals at Risk for Suicide (2017)
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training (2014-2018)
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Training through the Salvation Army of Atlanta, GA (2013)
Core Skills in Homeless Services: Trauma Informed Care (2011)
Education
Masters of Arts (MA) in Professional Counseling from Richmont Graduate University (2015)
Certificate in Trauma Counseling
Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) from Emory University (2022)
Portfolio on Religion and Spirituality as both Trauma and Resource from a Neurobiological Lens
Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Spanish from Georgia Institute of Technology (2009)
Thesis on the Politicalization of the Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children Globally
Study abroad, including business and language learning in Salamanca, Spain & Mexico City, Mexico
Clinical Experience
Green Cross Relief Support & Training as Compassion Fatigue Therapist & Educator
Charlottesville, VA after Unite the Right Rally (August, 2017)
Moria refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece (July, 2016)
Professional Roles
Active Resilience Counseling & Coaching (Active Resilience Counseling LLC)
Clinical Director (2021 - present)
Founder & Executive Director (2018 - Present)
Communications Director for DBTGA, a cooperative network of DBT clinicians in Georgia (2018-present)
Clinical Therapist at Beloved Atlanta, a nonprofit holistically serving adult women who have experienced sexual violence & addiction (May 2019- December 2021)
Skyland Trail, nationally recognized psychiatric treatment organization serving adults
Outpatient DBT: Director & Therapist (2017-2019), DBT Individual & Groups Counselor (2016-2019)
Groups Manager & curriculum writer (2015-2018)
Clinical Therapist Contractor at Wellspring Living Women’s Home, providing DBT & Art Therapy groups and individual therapy for adult women who have experienced sexual exploitation & incarceration (2015)
Training & Research Experience
Consultant and trainer for nonprofits clinically caring for adult women and minors who have experienced sexual violence and trafficking
Romania: 2022: training in Trauma Informed Care, DBT & RODBT Skills for Stabilization, Sex Trafficking & Addiction, Grief & Loss
Atlanta, GA: 2014 - 2015, 2019 - 2021: training in Trauma Informed Care, DBT Theory & Skills Practice
Orienting to Neurobiological Safety: Trauma-Informed DBT & RODBT for Stabilization 5 hours (June 2022)
HRSA Fellowship Training at Richmont Graduate University 6 Hours for CEUs (2021, 2022, 2023)
LPCA Conference 2022 6 hours for CEUs (May 2022)
Richmont Trauma Center: Understanding & Working with LGBTQIA+ Clients in a Faith-Based Context 1 hour (June 2022)
Green Cross Compassion Fatigue Training at Moria refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece (July, 2016)
Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) with a portfolio on trauma, spirituality, neurobiology from Emory University, Candler School (2022)
Research Assistant for Dr. Adriana Chira in Human Trafficking in Global History at Emory University (2021)
Leadership Training as Operations Director, CARE for AIDS, counseling individuals with HIV AIDS in Kenya, Africa (2012-2013) in Nairobi, Kenya (Dec., 2012)
Lead Research Assistant (April 2014 – May 2015):
Abolition Intl., HEART Trauma Model Program Evaluation: Research and development HEART Trauma Model of therapy
The Effects of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Education on Coping Strategies, Compassion Satisfaction, Vicarious Trauma and Burnout Among Residential Staff and Volunteers of Sex Trafficking Shelters