Grief counselors and therapists in Lynchburg, VA

This field is everything to me. I have been fully licensed for a short time but have worked in mental health for over 10 years in many roles. Working with clients, being alongside them through their most difficult and profound experiences is, I feel, the biggest honor one could have.

I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can finally exhale. You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you need, or arrive with everything figured out.

My approach is warm, compassionate, and deeply human. I work with people who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from themselves, or exhausted from carrying too much for too long. Together, we make space to understand what you’ve been through, what your nervous system has learned to protect you from, and what you need now in order to heal and move forward.

I created Gentle Ground Therapy with the hope of offering exactly what the name represents—a soft place to land, where you can feel supported, understood, and safe enough to grow.

You are more than what has happened to you, and healing does not mean becoming someone new. Sometimes it means gently finding your way back to yourself.

I want you to know that my heart is to walk with you. No matter what you are bringing into counseling with you, I desire to provide you with a safe space where you can be confident in knowing that you are seen, heard, and known.

After 20 years in the U.S. Army and a decade working in inpatient psychiatry, I understand

what it means to carry weight that the people around you can't quite see. I work withveterans, first responders, and anyone navigating a major life transition, stress, trauma,

or the everyday pressure of holding it together. I am here to help you find your footing.

Reach out whenever you are ready.

If you're an adult navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, substance use, burnout, or other challenges, and it feels like life doesn't leave room to sort it out, I'd like to help. I'm Dr. Cooke, a psychologist who works with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including active-duty service members, veterans, and dependents navigating demanding careers and environments. I earned my PhD in clinical psychology from Texas Tech, where I researched trauma, substance use, and the effects of head injuries, before finishing my training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Whatever brings you to therapy, my goal is to understand what's happening and work with you to find a way forward that fits your life. Together, we identify what's getting in the way and build practical, evidence-based ways to address it.

I have been a counselor for more than 30 years. I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believe that genuine caring is an essential element to an effective counseling relationship. Over the years I have worked with clients with significant trauma and loss. I consider it a privilege to stand with another individual as he or she resolves great pain. I specialize in treating clients with trauma, relationship issues, and borderline personality disorder.

I have been doing this work for 21 years, and the thing that has not changed is that I believe people are more capable of change than they think. I work with adults and teens dealing with substance use, anxiety, anger, and grief, the kind of stuff that is hard to talk about and harder to carry alone. I am direct and practical, and I will not waste your time with vague advice. I want to understand what is actually going on and then work with you to do something about it. I'm licensed in Arizona, Minnesota, and Virginia!

Hi, I’m Marlane.

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. I provide a safe, supportive space for individuals and families navigating stress, trauma, emotional challenges, and substance use concerns.

With over five years of experience supporting clients in crisis, I use a collaborative approach tailored to your unique needs. Through evidence-based approaches such as CBT and trauma-focused CBT, we will work together to build coping skills, improve emotional wellness, strengthen communication, and create meaningful change.

My goal is to help you feel empowered, resilient, and confident as you move forward.

As a therapist, I believe in your story and your individual experience. A space that is safe, comfortable, & free of judgement is essential for your success. It is important that you are in control of your own therapeutic experience, and I believe my role as a therapist is to serve as a guide & emotional support for you through your own journey. To provide a more authentic process and promote psycho-education, I aim to actively engage with you through discussions and person-centered support. “Pain is real, but so is hope”, and that is the main goal of my therapeutic approach: instill hope.