Kellie M. Edwards, Ph.D.

Dr. Kellie Edwards is a licensed psychologist with an academic specialization in clinical psychology. She graduated from college as outstanding senior in psychology at Western Kentucky University.  She completed her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology at Auburn University. Her doctoral internship was done at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine, with a primary placement in the Sparks Clinics for childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities and including both inpatient and outpatient rotations through the departments of psychiatry and pediatrics.  She has been at the Behavioral Institute of Atlanta since 1999 and provides services for infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and parents.

Dr. Edwards conducts evaluations for ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, anxiety, depression, and other emotional and behavioral difficulties.  She also has a specialty in the assessment of autism spectrum and related disorders (autism, Asperger’s Disorder, PDD, communication disorders, sensory problems), including testing with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).  She is trained in developmental assessment for individuals showing delays due to premature birth, medical complications, or genetic syndromes.  She can evaluate individuals who are nonverbal or have language delays as well as those who are verbally fluent and gifted.  Testing may be done for diagnostic clarification, educational or treatment planning, or to satisfy Medicaid waiver requirements. 

Dr. Edwards works with parents to manage difficult child and adolescent behaviors including inflexibility, rigid/oppositional behavior, tantrums/meltdowns/outbursts, aggression, and self-injury. She uses cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies (CBT) to manage stress, worry, anger, sadness and other emotional difficulties for children, adolescents, and young adults.  CBT focuses on the “here-and-now” and is a goal-directed and time-limited therapy.  For children, this type of therapy includes games, activities, talk, instruction, and collaboration with parents and teachers.  For adolescents and adults, therapy is a combination of discussion, instruction, homework, and follow-up. 

Dr. Edwards has been married for twelve years and is also the mother of a child with autism.  She can be contacted directly by email at edwardskm@bellsouth.net or through office voice mail (404) 256-9325, extension 724.