Hey, I’m Apiffany Gaither
– and I believe your symptoms are not in your head.
Hi, I’m Apiffany Gaither, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor passionate about helping people find peace, balance, and connection within themselves. My work focuses on eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and panic, with a special emphasis on supporting teens and young adults as they navigate the complex journey toward self-understanding and healing.
I’m trained in FBT (Family-Based Treatment), RO-DBT (Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and I-CBT (Inference-Based CBT) — allowing me to take an integrative and evidence-based approach tailored to each client’s unique needs.
As an ally and advocate for inclusivity, I am dedicated to creating a therapeutic space that honors all identities and lived experiences. I value compassion, honesty, and curiosity — and I deeply believe in the power of holding space for every story, no matter how painful or imperfect it may feel.
Although I once began pursuing the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential, my own research and reflection led me toward the Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist certification instead — a path that better aligns with my values, my clients, and the world I hope to help shape.
When I’m not in the therapy room, you’ll likely find me spending time with my partner and our six dogs, fostering and volunteering at our local animal shelter, or moving my body in ways that feel good — never out of pressure, only when it feels right.
At Hollow to Whole Therapy Collective, I hope to help you rediscover your strength, rebuild your trust in yourself, and remind you that healing doesn’t mean becoming someone new — it means finally feeling at home within who you already are.
YOU CAN HEAL
\\
YOU CAN HEAL \\
Meet Millie - A Canine Good Citizen and all around good girl
Millie is our beloved animal-assisted therapy dog who brings heart, humor, and healing energy to the office every Wednesday. Rescued after a period of neglect, Millie embodies resilience, gentleness, and the power of safe connection—values she brings into every session.
As an American Pit Bull Terrier, Millie is a natural at offering steady love and grounding presence. She supports clients experiencing anxiety, OCD compulsions, eating disorder distress, and difficult emotions by providing comfort, warmth, and an opportunity to practice regulation and new coping skills in real time. Whether she’s modeling distress tolerance by waiting patiently for treats or offering a paw during hard moments, Millie’s therapeutic instincts shine.
Millie takes her role seriously…but her favorite part of the job is greeting clients at the door with one of her many Lamb Chop toys. She has an entire collection in the office and will proudly bring you one as her signature “hello”—a sign of affection, attention, and trust.
In sessions, Millie may:
Offer grounding through gentle pressure or cuddles
Provide a soothing presence during exposures or challenging skills practice
Join in sessions to help clients practice reduction of compulsions
Model connection, rest, and self-compassion
Simply lay nearby to remind you that healing can happen in safe, soft moments
Millie is more than a therapy dog—she’s a teammate in your care, a four-legged reminder that recovery is possible, and a joyful presence who believes wholeheartedly in every person she meets.
You can find Millie in the office every Wednesday, ready to greet you with a wag, a Lamb Chop, and unconditional support.
I do believe in:
evidence-based treatment delivered with warmth and humanity
treating the person, not just the diagnosis
collaboration, consent, and shared decision-making
honoring the body’s wisdom and the nervous system’s pace
recovery that includes nourishment, rest, and self-trust
families as powerful allies in healing—not the problem
flexibility over rigidity, curiosity over judgment
values-driven living instead of fear-driven rules
progress that is imperfect, nonlinear, and real
creating safety before asking for change
cultural humility, inclusivity, and affirming care for all identities
helping clients come home to themselves—not become someone else
I don’t believe in:
shame as a motivator for change
“tough love” or fear-based therapy
quick fixes or one-size-fits-all treatment
pathologizing normal human emotions
tying worth to productivity, weight, or achievement
forcing readiness or rushing recovery
minimizing lived experience in favor of theory
therapy that feels cold, rigid, or transactional
blaming parents or caregivers in eating disorder treatment
equating compliance with healing
perfectionism disguised as “high functioning”
reinforcing avoidance under the guise of comfort
endless reassurance as treatment
pathologizing teens for developmentally normal reactions to stress
expecting insight alone to create change
therapy that lacks transparency, collaboration, or consent
Who I May Not Be the Best Fit For
I believe therapy works best when there’s alignment in values, pace, and expectations. I may not be the right fit if you’re looking for:
a quick fix or surface-level coping strategies without deeper work
therapy that avoids structure, accountability, or evidence-based treatment
reassurance-seeking or symptom management without change
weight-loss–focused treatment or diet culture–based approaches
a therapist who will push faster than your nervous system can tolerate
blame-based models for teens or families
therapy that prioritizes productivity, compliance, or perfection over wellbeing
a passive therapy experience without collaboration or practice between sessions
This doesn’t mean your needs aren’t valid—it simply means a different therapeutic approach may serve you better.