Hello!
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, a National Certified Counselor, and a Certified ADHD Life Coach. I’m also a Certified Therapeutic Game Master and hold an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Chicago School of ProfessionalPsychology.
Before I embarked on my journey as a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, I spent many years immersed in the entertainment industry. I come from a theater background and proudly graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Performing Arts. During my time working in entertainment I wore many hats as a writer, improviser, producer, actor, and production assistant, but I was also dealing with chronic pain. Navigating the complexities of our healthcare system in search of answers about what was causing my pain was a challenging part of that journey.
As my health declined and I found myself surviving rather than truly thriving, I made the heartfelt decision to move back home to be closer to my family, where I could dedicate time to healing physically and doing some soul searching. It took over a decade to get a diagnosis, with several misdiagnoses along the way. When I finally received diagnoses of Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Fructose Malabsorption, I realized I needed to shift toward a sustainable career. One that didn’t require being physically active for over 12 hours daily. I also wanted to incorporate many of the elements that bring me joy from my time in the entertainment industry.
During my time at home, some of my family members also started their own health journeys and received diagnoses of ADHD. As a caring and supportive family member, I eagerly learned more about ADHD. This journey helped me understand many aspects of my life and family dynamics more clearly. Although I don’t have ADHD myself, I noticed that the cognitive symptoms of my chronic pain and autoimmune conditions closely resemble those of ADHD, especially in terms of executive dysfunction.
Maddy Buxton
LPC, NCC, MA, CALC, CTGM
While researching ADHD, I came across ADHD Life Coaching, which seemed to align perfectly with my interests and career goals. It was a wonderful moment to realize I could make a positive difference by helping others achieve their dreams and live fulfilling lives. That inspiration led me to pursue certification in Life Coaching.
While attending classes at the IACT Center and exploring the fascinating world of Life Coaching, I couldn’t help but notice some wonderful similarities with my first love, improvisational comedy. Coaching truly is all about partnership, much like being part of an improv team. It’s about teamwork. Both coaches and improvisers trust that their partner(s) are creative, resourceful, whole, and incredibly smart. They share a commitment to active listening, staying fully present with their partner, and avoiding making assumptions. Above all, trust shines as the core of everything they do. Over time, I found that my work as a life coach sometimes felt constrained by the profession’s ethical boundaries, or lack thereof. I truly wanted to do more to support my coaching clients. While coaching is incredibly helpful, I realized it doesn’t always address the deeper root causes of my clients’ challenges. That inspired me to pursue a M.A. in clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, which I completed in August 2023.
I absolutely love my work as a mental health counselor. Combining therapy and coaching has been wonderfully beneficial for my clients, and I am always excited to learn and grow in this field. I especially enjoy using creative interventions to help my clients succeed. I also earned a certification as a Therapeutic Game Master from Geek Therapeutics, which allows me to incorporate fun games like Dungeons & Dragons to facilitate group healing, trauma processing, or easing social anxiety. At present, I offer therapy and coaching through this solo private practice and with Grant Park Counseling Group, constantly striving to make a positive difference.
I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, son, dogs, and cat. I also have a passion for puzzles, hiking, playing board games, and relaxing at the beach or by the lake whenever I get the chance! I’m happy to share more about Mental Health Counseling, Life Coaching, Therapeutic Gaming, or any other topics you’re interested in! Feel free to schedule a free consultation with me whenever you’re ready. I’m here to help.
Contact Me
Interested in working together? Please fill out this form, and I’ll be sure to get back to you soon. I respond to emails between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, unless it’s a holiday in which case I will respond the next business day.
I’m happy to offer you appointments from Tuesday to Friday at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am. I also offer free consultation calls Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. If those times don’t work for you, just let me know on the form, and we can find a time that fits your schedule!