Chesterfield Counselors

Caitlyn Patey, LCSW

** Caitlyn offers online counseling

Caitlyn Patey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who completed her Master of Social Work graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caitlyn has experience in individual, group, and couples counseling with adults ages 18 and older. Caitlyn also has expertise working with the geriatric population. Areas of clinical passion for Caitlyn include:

• Grief and loss
• Relationship concerns
• Family of origin concerns
• Daily life stressors
• Anxiety Disorders
• Grief/Bereavement
• Depression
• PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
• Women's issues
• Life/role transitions.

Caitlyn has experience conducting therapy with adult learners in the undergraduate, graduate, and medical academic settings. Caitlyn is also experienced in the following:

• Caregiver role for ill or aging family members
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Dementia
• Stroke recovery

Caitlyn’s approach to therapy is person-centered and involves meeting her clients where they are. She believes that therapy requires vulnerability and courage and works to create a safe and affirming setting for that work to occur. She works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioral framework through Interpersonal and Feminist theory lenses. She believes that how an individual thinks about their situation is influenced by societal and interpersonal messaging which help to form a cognitive framework that influences the emotional experience of the individual.

When Caitlyn isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, finding new things to do in the city, reading, being outside, and spending time with her pet.

Deyanira “China” Deschenes, LPC

Deyanira Deschenes is a Licensed

Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia who provides individual and couples counseling. She received her Bachelors Degree from Troy University, where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Deyanira completed her graduate studies at the University of Colorado, majoring in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Addictions. Deyanira works with adults 18 year of age and older, couples and families. She specializes in the treatment of:

• Trauma
• Addictions (both behavioral and chemical) Anxiety
• Depression
• Bi-polar disorders

Deyanira has a special interest in treating military, military affiliated members, and first responders. She is a military spouse of 9 years and has had several years of personal and professional experience serving these populations. Prior to joining Thriveworks, she was the Military Clinician at a local inpatient hospital, where she provided individual, group, and couples counseling for crisis stabilization, combat trauma, military sexual trauma, and substance abuse.

Deyanira’s clinical approach is by first providing a trusting and safe environment for her clients. She believes having a solid therapeutic relationship is the main building block to treatment. She draws from several treatment modalities and techniques depending on which ones best serve the client. These include but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, SMART Recovery, and etc. She is trained and experienced in multiple evidenced based treatments. Deyanira is also a trained Yoga Instructor and helps her clients connect their mind and body together. She believes in a individualized treatment approach and works to deliver a hollistic outcome.

Deyanira will help her clients create and obtain observable and measurable goals. She strives to help them draw upon their values and strengths in effort to help them thrive intrapersonally, within relationships, and other environments.

Outside of work, Deyanira enjoys living in the moment with her family, hiking, yoga, and eating carbs.

Dr. Allison Jackson, LCSW, CSOTP

** Allison offers online counseling

Dr. Allison Jackson is a licensed clinical social worker who obtained her undergraduate, graduate and PhD in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 25 years of experience working in the mental health field, Allison is passionate about partnering with individuals, families, and couples in their healing process where so much opportunity for growth and resilience building exists.

Allison treats children (ages 5-12), adolescents (ages 13 years of age and older), adults, couples and families. Allison has worked with clients who have a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationships issues, parenting challenges, conduct behavior problems, and substance use and misuse. Her specific expertise and focus of her PhD was/is around persons experiencing trauma (childhood abuse or neglect, medical trauma, war or military related trauma, as well as other forms of trauma).

Allison uses  dialectical behavior informed approaches to therapy combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma specific phase oriented therapeutic approaches when appropriate.  She is also a Certified Facilitator of Dr. Brené Brown's Daring Way™ curriculum (including the Rising Strong™ curriculum)  and use skills and techniques built from Dr. Brown’s research to support individuals in enhancing their emotional intelligence, addressing the underlying thoughts behind those emotions, rumbling with what lies beneath those thoughts and creating new skills and ways to show up in their present life.

Areas of clinical focus include:

• Anxiety
• Communication Challenges (Relationship/Professional)
• Daily Life issues
• Depression
• Growth Work
• Family of Origin issues
• Family/Victim violence
• Grief
• Mood Disorders
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Substance Use and Misuse Disorders
• Life/Role Transitions

Allison believes in research showing vulnerability is the greatest definition of courage. Reading this now, thinking about starting counseling and looking at parts of your life and/or relationships you want to address or enhance is such a courageous act of self-love.  If you think you might be a good fit with Allison’s approach to therapy, she would be honored to be a part of this brave work and support you in any ways she can.

In her free time, Allison spends time with her boyfriend, family, and pets. She enjoys traveling as well as playing card and board games.

Dr. Lottie Ampy, PhD.

** Lottie offers online counseling

Dr. Ampy earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech where she graduated with honors (Magna Cum Laude, Commonwealth Scholar, and member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society). She received her Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology and her Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her Predoctoral Internship and Postdoctoral Residency with the Washington DC Commission on Mental Health Services.

Lottie Ampy, PhD. is a patient-centered Licensed Clinical and School Psychologist with over 19 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Dr. Ampy has worked in various settings including schools, hospitals, treatment centers, outpatient offices, and forensic settings. Specialty areas include children and adolescents, family therapy, and psychological assessments..

Issues Treated:

• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Behavioral Issues
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coping Skills
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Depression
• Emotional Disturbance
• Educational Consultation Services
• Family Conflict
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Learning Disabilities
• Parenting
• Relationship Issues
• School Issues
• Stress
• Self-Esteem

Dr. Ampy believes in creating a therapeutic environment that is welcoming and supportive through a collaborative process. She uses a strength-based approach to help individuals develop and reach their goals. Some of the therapeutic approaches utilized include cognitive behavioral, family systems, and solution focused

Dr. Ampy looks forward to meeting you!

Hui-Chen Wong, LPC

** Hui-Chen offers online counseling

Hui-Chen Wong is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She provides individual counseling for children, adolescents and adults across the lifespan.  Ms. Wong received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Welfare and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.

Ms. Wong has over 10 years experience working individuals across the lifespan. This has included work with the Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) population. Her work draws upon crisis intervention, trauma informed care, mindfulness, and meditation.

Areas of clinical focus include:

• Mood disorders
• Trauma and PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
• Acute Stress
• Attention Deficity Hyperactive Disorder
• Impulse Control Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Oppositional and conduct disorders
• Behavioral issues within the family
• Grief and loss
• Work/Life balance
• Psychosis

Ms. Wong utilizes evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy and mindfulness, to help individuals achieve improved emotional and behavioral functioning. Ms. Wong's goal is to provide a comfortable, supportive environment upon which a strong clinical relationship can be built.  It is her belief that through this partnership clients are best able to draw on their individual strengths and capabilities.

When not at work Ms. Wong enjoys spending time with her family, yoga, and traveling the world.

Jenee Johnson, LCSW, BCD

** Jenee offers online counseling

Jenee Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker who obtained her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Greensboro College prior to pursuing a graduate degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 8 years of experience working in the mental health field, Jenee considers it a privilege to serve others in profession that she is so passionate about. She remains committed to journeying alongside her clients in helping them achieve growth and healing in their daily lives and relationships.

As a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, Jenee has a wealth of professional and volunteer experience that enables her to practice as a advanced-generalist clinician who is comfortable engaging diverse populations. Jenee treats adolescents (ages 13 years of age and older), adults, geriatics and families.

Areas of clinical focus include:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Family/Victim violence
• Grief
• HIV/AIDS
• LGBTQ
• Mood Disorders
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

She has extensive experience providing therapy services in community and outpatient settings to individuals and groups seeking assistance with better managing psychiatric symptoms. Additionally, Jenee has had experience in various health care arenas working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges combined with chronic medical issues in settings that included emergency medicine, inpatient and outpatient hospital units, hospice, and community free clinics.

Jenee believes that healing is a collaborative effort that requires authentic caring judgment, and she cooperatively assists her clients by drawing from a variety of methods to create a personalized approach for each human being and situation. She also recognizes that eliminating old and dysfunctional thought, feeling and behavior patterns can require a vast array of tools. Therefore, in order to help clients achieve their goal Jenee primarily works from psychodynamic theory, which explains that individuals can be shaped by unconscious forces often the result of early life experiences that end up influencing adult personality and relationships. However, Jenee also utilizes person-centered and strengths based techniques combined with mindfulness based modalities, and cognitive behavioral therapy as appropriate. In all cases Jenee is warm, open, encouraging and combines experience, education, and sense of humor with a down-to-earth, safe approach to therapy.

In her free time, Jenee is a true Richmond foodie and also enjoys being with her beloved dog Petey, gardening, and spending time with her family and close friends.

Jennifer Dishner, LPC

Jennifer Dishner is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lynchburg College. She has worked with a wide variety of populations in many different settings including public schools, inpatient hospital units, and community work.

Jennifer works with children as young as 5 years old, young adults, adults and geriatrics specializing in working with individuals with diagnosis of:

• Major Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder.

Areas of passion and clinical passion include working with those individuals and families experiencing:

• Sudden life changes
• Infertility
• Stress impacting daily functioning
• End of life
• Grief and loss
• Everyday anxiety and phase of life issues
• Parenting and behavioral issues
• Child and adolescent mental health

Helping individuals and families find their strengths and self worth is a major role of Jennifer's clinical work. It is through this clinical work that Jennifer believes clients are best able to realize their potential growth and maintain positive change.  Jennifer uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy treatment modalities. Jennifer teaches mindfulness practices to help bring compassion and awareness to feelings and moments.

Her personal interests include traveling, organizing, reading, trying new recipes in the kitchen and spending time with family and friends.

Ramona Peters, LCSW

**Ramona offers online counseling 

Ramona is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with seven years of experience providing psychosocial support and counseling to adults ages 18 and older and families in the following areas:

• Alzheimer’s and other dementias
• Anger management
• Anxiety
• Caregiver support
• Chronic illness
• Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Depression
• Grief
• Interpersonal relationships
• Stress
• Suicidal Ideation
• Terminal illness
• Traumatic brain injury

Born and raised in Roanoke, VA, Ramona fell in love with Richmond while attending Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for her undergraduate degree in psychology. After several years in the field working as a behavior specialist and disability advocate, Ramona returned to VCU and obtained her Master of Social Work (MSW)..

Ramona has worked as a medical social worker in hospice, counseling individuals and their families through the often traumatic process of accepting the terminal diagnosis, as well as coping with grief and loss both before and after death.

Recognized for her empathy, patience, and attentiveness, Ramona has a passion for providing emotional support to others and helping them identify and strengthen coping skills during crisis situations. She meets clients where they are and uses motivational interviewing to assist in identifying their readiness to change. She loves guiding her clients through the process and uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach to help individuals reach their full potential and achieve their self-identified goals at their own pace.

Ramona recognizes there is no one-size-fits-all method of treatment and uses several theories to support her clients, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and aspects of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) such as mindfulness.

Outside of the office, you can find Ramona with her husband and two young children exploring the food, live music, and outdoor scene that Richmond has to offer.

Rochelle Watson, LPC

** Rochelle offers online counseling

Rochelle Watson is a  licensed professional counselor with 5 years of post graduate experience. Rochelle completed her undergraduate studies in Sociology. She holds Master of Science Degrees in both  Social and Community Service and Mental Health Counseling.  Rochelle works with adults 18 years of age and older, and families. Areas of expertise include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief/Bereavement
• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault victims/survivors
• Living with HIV/AIDS
• Sexual offending behavior
• Trauma recovery

Rochelle primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT ) to assist individuals with reframing their negative thought patterns. This allows her to assist clients  develop healthy self esteem and coping strategies allowing more productive intra and interpersonal decision making.  Rochelle also uses person centered techniques to display my ability to relate to various populations and provide therapy in a non judgmental manner. Her style is  warm, approachable and honest. Rochelle believes therapy is extremely beneficial to assist individuals stabilize thoughts and emotions.

When not at work Rochelle enjoys working out and spending time with her family.

Stefanie Jackson, LMFT

** Stefanie offers online counseling

Stefanie Jackson, LMFT has over 5 years of post graduate experience treating individuals and families. Stefanie obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Fort Valley State University. She completed her graduate studies in Marriage and Family Counseling while attending Valdosta State University.  Stefanie’s clinical experience includes work in both community based and outpatient settings serving children, adolescents and their families. At present, Stefanie works with adults ages 18 and older. Clinical work includes individuals, couples and families who want to transform and utilize their strengths to develop resiliency and Learn to become the facilitator of change and growth in all areas of their lives.

Specialties include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Personal growth and wellness
• Stress
• Women specific issues
• Men specific issues
• Low confidence
• Grief

Stefanie believes that how you view the experiences of your life influences the stories you tell about it. The importance of reframing your life’s struggled is an ability that takes time to develop. Some call it magical thinking and will fight to justify keeping problematic thoughts, and emotions in telling the same problem stories from a position they are no longer in. Then there are others who are tired of these stories and ready to turn the page and write and tell new stories about who they are, how they live and how they experience life. Those people see therapeutic guidance and assistance from and together Stefanie and her clients co-create and cultivate new beginnings, new understandings, new experiences and new meanings.

Stefanie has aspired and been  inspired to provide life changing therapy that aids her clients in experiencing better relationships, less stress, an abundance of creativity and renewed excitement about their lives.  As a practitioner, she strives to assist her clients relate differently to their stressors, anxieties and traumas and use them to draw on for fuel toward a more positive future. Stefanie is a systemically informed and innovative mental health professional with a concentrated dedication to facilitating change through the use of a variety of therapy modalities including Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Strategic Therapy.

Yesenia Adent, LPC

• PTSD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger management
• Bipolar disorder
• LGBTQ
• Mood disorders
• Physical abuse
• Trauma
• Sexual abuse

Kristen Lee, LCSW

** Kristen offers online counseling

Kristen Lee is a licensed clinical social worker who obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 13 years working in the mental health field, she has provided a wide range of therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Kristen enjoys empowering clients to learn more about themselves and to achieve their desired goals. In addition to her work at Thriveworks, she is an adjunct instructor with VCU’s Master of Social Work program.

Kristen has a wealth of experience providing interventions to clients who have an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis. She facilitates the Autism Spectrum Group at Thriveworks, and is also certified to perform the gold standard of Autism Spectrum testing, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS 2). In 2018 she was awarded Thriveworks' Trailblazer Award for her efforts for clients with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis and her related community outreach. 

Kristen is a 200 hour trained yoga teacher with a specialty in gentle hatha (traditional) yoga for mental health care. She enjoys helping clients to learn mindfulness and improve their mind-body-spirit connection through simple yoga practices to achieve emotional well-being. She believes that with guidance, yoga is an accessible tool, available to all clients, to use to better calm the mind and steady emotions.

As a Certified Trauma Practitioner, Kristen also has a unique skill set to help clients of all ages address issues of trauma and/or abuse. She understands the importance of building trust prior to processing traumatic experiences, and of always offering her office as a safe place to explore the impacts of trauma. Kristen also has extensive knowledge of military culture, and enjoys supporting service members, veterans, and their families. In 2017 she received the Serving Our Veterans Behavioral Health Certificate.  

Kristen approaches therapy eclectically in order to utilize the best therapeutic approach for each individual client. In all cases, she utilizes person-centered and strengths based techniques. She is able to use a wide variety of therapeutic approaches including: expressive therapies with elements of art and play, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy including Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavior therapy and schema therapy, and the Gottman method. She is often described as intuitive, professional, approachable, and empathetic.

In her free time, Kristen enjoys yoga, watching VCU basketball games, walking her dogs, Simba and Nala, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Frank Rose, PsyD

** Frank offers online counseling

Dr. Rose is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Virginia who provides individual therapy for adolescents and adults. He also provides psychological and psychoeducational assessment services. Dr. Rose received his Bachelors of Art in Psychology along with a minor in National Security and Military Leadership from Hampden-Sydney College. He received his Doctorate of Psychology, Masters of Arts in Psychology, and Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice at Widener University. Dr. Rose specializes in the treatment of trauma, substance abuse, and affective disorders, such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. Dr. Rose has an interest in treating first responders, service members, and their families and offers flexible scheduling. Prior to joining Thriveworks, Dr. Rose served as the Director of Military Services for a local inpatient hospital and completed training at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that was sponsored by the Center for Deployment Psychology.

Dr. Rose often utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients create positive and long lasting change. By focusing on changing what we do and how we think, clients are able to overcome obstacles and reach new goals. He is trained in many research-backed treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, Cognitive Therapy and Behavioral Activation for depression, CBT-I for insomnia, and Exposure and response prevention for OCD. When working with clients who are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, Dr. Rose draws upon several modalities including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy for relapse prevention.

When meeting each new client, Dr. Rose will complete a comprehensive intake and partner with each client to create measurable and achievable goals that are client centered and driven. He focuses on each person holistically, and uses a strength-based approach to help clients elicit their own personal strengths to create change. For those requesting assessment services, Dr. Rose helps clients and providers who need diagnostic clarity, are at an impasse in treatment, request aid in treatment planning or are applying for specialized services. Dr. Rose provides cognitive testing, ADHD testing, psychoeducational testing, and emotional testing for both adolescents and adults.

Outside of work Dr. Rose enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, and watching local sports.

Jeff Whitfield, LPC

** Jeff offers online counseling

Jeff Whitfield is a licensed professional counselor who provides individual, couples, group, and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Jeff received his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas Christian University, also in Fort Worth (Go Horned Frogs!)

Jeff is a very experienced counselor and has worked with clients on a variety of issues, including marriage and family conflict and communication, anger and depression management, family of origin issues including abuse and neglect, self-esteem, and post trauma. Jeff combines a compassionate, person-centered approach; which is a very relational, coming-alongside approach; as well as utilizing the tenets of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Jeff has worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient and residential treatment, as well as private practice and community-based counseling. Jeff also worked 17 years with a missionary agency and provided counseling to missionaries and their families. Most recently, Jeff worked for several years as a Military and Family Life Counselor at Fort Lee, working with service members and their families through the myriad issues this population faces.

In his time away from work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family, running, being outdoors, cooking, watching football, and being involved with his church.

Susan Larkin, LCSW

** Susan offers online counseling

Susan Larkin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 20 years of experience she has provided mental health services to individuals across the lifespan to include adolescents, millennials, adults and older adults. She has had experience providing therapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. She has extensive experience working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, mood and thought disorders, personality disorders, serious mental illness, grief and loss and co-dependency issues.

Susan has worked in both community and inpatient psychiatric settings. She also has experience providing crisis intervention services. She has a long and extensive history of working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, serious mental illness, and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Susan utilizes a wide range of therapeutic techniques to include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Strength’s Based, Solution Focused, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectal Behavioral Therapy. She believes that many of our patterns of relating and reacting stem from our early life experiences and enjoys assisting individuals in developing new insight and healthy strategies to handle interpersonal relationships and the stresses of daily life. Susan’s approach is one of warmth and acceptance. She believes that the relationship between the client and therapist is key to the therapeutic relationship and strives to provide a safe space for emotional and personal exploration, self-discovery, and growth. Her style is informal, warm, conversational, and authentic.

Susan has evening and weekend hours available. She knows that it can take a great deal of courage to enter into therapy, but believes in the transformative power of the therapeutic process and looks forward to taking this journey of self-discovery, growth, and healing together.

In her spare time Susan enjoys reading, playing with her two cats and her dachshund, spending time with her family and friends, gardening, cooking, and watching movies.

Jenny Warne, LCSW

** Jenny offers online counseling

Jenny Warne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who completed her graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has had extensive training and experience in individual, group, couples and family counseling. An area of particular passion includes work with young adults with a wide variety of presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, spiritual and religious questioning/seeking and LGBTQ identity issues. Additional areas of focus include self-injury, trauma and sexual assault recovery.

Jenny has many years of hospice experience. She welcomes the opportunity to work with those in need of grief and bereavement counseling. Jenny also has expertise working with the primary caregivers for persons with chronic and/or terminal illness. She is experienced in the provision of treatment services for older adults facing phase of life issues.

Jenny approaches clients with compassion and acceptance. She takes a collaborative approach to therapy, starting with where the client is and facilitating movement towards client-centered goals. Jenny primarily works from object relations theory, which examines how people experience themselves and others based on relational history. She also utilizes motivational interviewing and aspects of dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as appropriate. Jenny recognizes that each person is unique in his/her experience of the world, and tailors her approach to each client.

Outside of counseling, Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband and their two kitties. She loves to read, entertain friends and family, attend live theatre, and is enjoying being a first-time gardener.

Q&A

[learn_more caption="Why are you so passionate about working with women who have histories of trauma?"]I am very passionate about empowering women in general. With a history of trauma, women in particular tend to internalize the message that the world is not safe for them. My work is to help them understand what happened was not their fault, to teach skills to reduce anxiety and panic, and to help them find a way to feel safe and live a fulfilling life.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="What types of trauma recovery do you specialize in treating?"]I specialize in all types of trauma, be it childhood abuse/neglect, domestic violence (including emotional and verbal abuse), sexual assault, witnessing violence/death, victims of crime, etc.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="How do you approach working with teens who are self-harming?"]Understand self-harm as a coping mechanism and a means of emotional expression. My goal is to understand how it works for them, and to work on the underlying issues while teaching a variety of alternative coping skills.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="Can you offer 3 tips for parents of teens who self injure?"]

• Do not respond with negative judgment or shaming statements, as this will likely increase the self-harm.
• Tell your child you love them and that you are sorry they are hurting.
• Understand that this is different from a suicide attempt, and that it is most likely your child trying to cope with his or her feelings.

[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="How do you define codependency?"]A codependent person is one who enables a partner who is dealing with addiction or other unhealthy behaviors, usually from a belief that they must show love by supporting their partner no matter what and that if they are successful in this their partner will change.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="What types of treatment goals do you think are important for someone to overcome codependency?"]Appropriate treatment goals include learning to set healthy boundaries, being willing to follow through with consequences of boundary violation, working on a sense of self-worth separate from the partner, learning ways to cope with stress/anxiety. These are just examples; each person will have different reasons for being codependent.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="How do work with clients who are dealing with substance abuse issues and do not want to take a 12-Step approach?"]The twelve steps have worked for a lot of people, but I recognize they do not work for everyone. I tend to utilize Motivational Interviewing to determine the client’s readiness to change and to help the client shift from one level to another. I understand that substance abuse is a coping mechanism, so I work with clients on the underlying issues and teaching alternative coping strategies.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption="Why do you recommend counseling for those who are grieving?"]There are many reasons people grieve, and death is just one of them. Sometimes it is difficult for someone to imagine life without whatever was lost (job, home, pet, loved one, good health, etc). Sometimes the loss means there is no longer an opportunity to repair the relationship. Whatever the circumstances, having someone listen without offering platitudes and helping you to find the “new normal” can make a huge difference.[/learn_more]

Joy Daigle Book, LPC

** Joy offers online counseling

Joy Daigle Book is a licensed professional counselor, who provides individual, couples, and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. Joy treats children as young as 6 years of age. Joy has received a Bachelor of Arts in cross-cultural studies, a Master of Divinity with a specialization in cross-cultural studies, and an Educational Specialist degree in mental health counseling.

Joy provides an individualized approach to each person and family that works within each’s unique situation, utilizes strengths within that system, and raises awareness to specific hurdles that may be hindering wellness. Her clinical work includes issues relevant to women, such as balancing career and parenting expectations, managing workplace prejudice and inequities, recovering from sexual assault, healing from childhood trauma, developing assertive and confident communication patterns, and managing anxiety. Additionally, Joy collaborates with parents and guardians to develop parenting strategies and approaches that cultivate a healthy, empowering family atmosphere. She has also worked with many families navigating the challenges of divorce and custody issues by providing counseling to the children.

Joy has experience working with children diagnosed with anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Utilizing play and art therapies, Joy seeks to create a safe, welcoming environment for children that empowers them with social skills, coping strategies for managing emotions, and behavioral training that builds personal responsibility.

Joy utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches targeted to specific client needs. She strongly believes in celebrating strengths and past victories in establishing treatment plans for current challenges. As such, Joy incorporates many different techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative and solution-focused therapies, mindfulness and spiritual practices, play and art therapies, and career construction theory.

Outside of work, Joy enjoys spending time with her family, singing and playing with her children, attending and participating in community events, reading a lot of fiction, baking, crafting, and attending cultural events.

Jenny Prewitt, LPC

** Jenny offers online counseling

Jenny Prewitt is a licensed profession counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor with over 10 years experience in the mental health field. Jenny holds membership in the American Counseling Association (ACA).  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a concentration in psychology from Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Woman's College), in Lynchburg, Va and Masters of Education in Community Counseling from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Jenny specialized in child and adolescent therapy during her graduate studies and residency.

Clinical Specialties   
Jenny’s professional experience includes the provision of clinical services in both residential (milieu) therapy and outpatient practice. She works with individuals, couples and families. Jenny also specializes in group therapy.
Jenny’s clinical specialties include Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, anger management and grief and loss. She has expertise in trauma recovery, specifically healing from childhood physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Jenny accepts patients 18 years of age and older. She is able to evaluate and treat Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder presenting in both children and adults. Jenny welcomes the opportunity to assist couples as they work through premarital issues, as well as, more chronic challenges associated with fidelity, sexuality and balancing relationship care with the life demands. She is passionate about working with adolescents and families around separation, divorce and coparenting.

Counseling Style
Jenny understands that making the decision to contact a therapist can be difficult for some. Her goal is to make the process as welcoming as possible. She works in an extremely relaxed, informal manner that is collaborative in nature. Jenny uses humor regularly in her therapy sessions and takes every possible measure to ensure that her office is a safe place for clients to freely laugh, cry, or express anger as they need.

It is Jenny’s belief that many people not only experience stress and anxiety by unfortunate adversities, but also by how they construct their views of reality through the stories they tell themselves regarding the stressful incident. While systematically pulling from different counseling techniques from a wide range of theories, she tends to work most heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness techniques and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). These types of therapies help people overcome irrational, dysfunctional, and unhealthy thought process that tend to add to and prolong emotional strain, trauma, and tension due to a stressful life incident.
Jenny was born and raised in Virginia.  When not working Jenny enjoy being outside and staying active.  Snowboarding, riding bikes, paddle boarding, basketball and reading are enjoyed hobbies.

Karen Jones, LCSW

** Karen offers online counseling

Karen Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Karen brings 20 years of experience from the field of children and family services. She will provide a safe and open environment for people seeking clinical support with issues from depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder related to abuse/neglect.

Years of working with children and families has prepared her for treating late teens, and adults. Karen specializes in working with families, particularly blended families and couples. Karen works with parents and co-parents on issues relating to childhood behavioral issues, adult mental health issues, and other issues involving family and marital conflict.

Karen has worked in the community and inpatient psychiatric hospitals providing clinical and assessment services for individuals, families, and groups. One of her clinical approaches is based on system theory which guides people to find purposeful connections for healthy functioning. Karen’s treatment perspective values individuals’ goals and works towards maintaining balance in a society that demands more than most of us have to give. She understands the need for people to go on their individual journey towards healing and will encourage them along the way to find their direction and strength. For some it may take a life time of journeys, but quitting is not an option.

On a personal note, Karen enjoys the outdoors, running, sailing and mud obstacle races. She and her husband raised two children and are enjoying time together as empty nesters.