Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Chester, VA

I'm April — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked alongside people in some of the hardest chapters of their lives: crisis moments in emergency settings, school hallways with overwhelmed teenagers, and outpatient rooms where families were trying to figure out how to be in the same room again. That range of experience has shaped how I work. I know that anxiety looks different in a 15-year-old than it does in a 40-year-old. I know that couples who love each other can still feel like strangers. And I know that healing isn't linear — it takes time, trust, and the right support.

I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and marital concerns, family conflict, parenting challenges, life transitions, and emotional regulation. I work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. For clients who want it, I also offer faith-integrated counseling that weaves Christian beliefs and values into the therapeutic process — thoughtfully, ethically, and at your pace.

EVENING TELEHEALTH HOURS/FREE CONSULTATION!! As a therapist, connecting with clients and walking with them through their journey of triumphs and challenges, I have found that the connection between counselor and client is paramount. I strive to meet my clients where they are, focusing on their strengths and empowering them to make the changes they see fit rather than prescribing issue or diagnosis. I value treating each individual client with the respect they deserve. Placing emphasis on developing a relationship that is based on warmth, trust, respect, and genuine care. The ease of conversation, is client driven and casual.

Many people seek out therapy because, despite their best efforts to change, they might end up in the same cycles. These cycles of behavior are driven by our life experiences and long-standing behavior patterns. Together, we will explore these patterns so that we can begin to create understanding of our motivations and create space for positive change.

For 16 years I have worked with clients impacted by anxiety, depression, and grief. My experience has provided me a unique perspective in working with individuals and couples, parents and families. I understand the need to get to know a counselor before scheduling a session. To help, I offer a free 15 min phone consultation. Look forward to hearing from you.

I believe therapy begins with feeling safe enough to be honest and being heard without judgment. I want my clients to know that you don't have to have all the answers before coming to therapy. Sometimes taking the first step is the hardest part.

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) licensed in Virginia and Maryland. I have worked in behavioral health for many years, with a particular focus on substance use, co-occurring mental health concerns, and trauma. My experience includes working with adults from diverse backgrounds and supporting individuals through residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care.

I genuinely enjoy helping people recognize strengths they may have forgotten they have. I believe that your diagnosis, substance use, trauma, or past experiences are only part of your story—they do not define who you are. I will meet you where you are and work with you to identify where you want to go next.

Taking the first step toward better mental health is a sign of strength. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), I provide compassionate, evidence-based care for ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and related conditions. My approach is collaborative, personalized, and focused on helping you feel your best through medication management, supportive therapy, and practical strategies for lasting wellness.

You're the one people call when things fall apart. You're good at it — steady, competent, the person who knows what to do. And somewhere along the way you stopped having anywhere to put your own stuff.

So you can run the meeting, hold the crisis, answer the phone at 2 a.m. — and still not be able to make yourself open the mail. Competence and collapse live together far more often than anyone admits out loud.

I work with adults carrying that particular load: substance use and recovery, emotions that arrive at full volume with no dimmer switch, thoughts of self-harm or not wanting to be here, and the specific erosion that comes from caring for other people for a living. Helpers, clinicians, parents, first responders — people whose exhaustion doesn't have an obvious place to go. I work with teenagers too, often the ones in families like these.

My style is direct, warm, and collaborative. I'm not going to nod quietly for fifty minutes. We'll find what's actually driving things, build skills you can use on a Tuesday afternoon when it counts, and I'll tell you honestly what I'm seeing. You set the pace. I'll bring the structure.

I have a background in science and psychology, which fits my education as a psychologist. I am also a very creative and collaborative person. I want to work with each client to find the best individual treatment for them. I know many techniques and exercises, but only you can tell me what what works best for you. I enjoy helping adults (age 18+) navigate the transitions they face and be able to look forward to the future with hope (even if that feels very far away currently).

Hi, I’m Olga Sears, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to helping adults navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding. I provide holistic, evidence-based care for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, and ADHD. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel truly heard, respected, and empowered to take meaningful steps toward healing.

I have practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2012 and I also hold the license for Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner.