Grief counselors and therapists in Newport News, VA

With over three decades of dedicated psychiatric experience, I bring a unique, comprehensive perspective to mental health care. My journey spans more than 30 years in the field, including 18 years as an advance practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and adult medical prescriber. Having cared for individuals of all ages during my foundational years as a registered nurse, I understand the deep complexities of human development, behavioral health and substance abuse disorders. My passion for elevating patient care has allowed me to lead, mentor, and collaborate with teams of nurses across multiple states and healthcare systems. This expansive network keeps me at the forefront of modern, evidence-based treatments and diverse clinical practices. I am deeply committed to empowering my patients through personalized, empathetic and expert care. Whether you are navigating a life transition, managing a chronic mental health condition, or seeking support for substance recovery, my wealth of knowledge ensures you receive top-tier, specialized guidance. Together we will build a tailored path toward lasting wellness, balance and healing.

I believe therapy should be a place where you feel genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. Reaching out for therapy can be difficult, whether you are struggling with a specific concern, navigating a major life transition, or simply feeling like things have become harder to manage. My goal is to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can be yourself and feel comfortable exploring what brings you to therapy.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with experience working with children, adolescents, college students, adults, and older adults. I work with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, and trauma. I have specialized expertise in trauma across the lifespan, reproductive and perinatal mental health, neurodiversity, ADHD, and autism-related concerns. I also provide play therapy for children, using developmentally appropriate approaches to help children express themselves, build coping skills, and work through difficult experiences.

I particularly enjoy working with college students and professionals who are balancing demanding careers, relationships, family responsibilities, and the many expectations of adult life. I have worked with educators, college professors, healthcare providers, attorneys, government employees, and other professionals who may be accustomed to caring for others while finding it difficult to make space for themselves.

I apply a holistic and person-centered approach to therapy. I recognize that by creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment, clients can learn to redefine dysfunctional boundaries, to reconnect with a sense of meaning for their lives, and to ultimately make lasting changes in their lives and relationships. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in navigating life transitions, grief, depression, anxiety, gender identity, sexual identity, trauma, OCD, narcissistic abuse, adult children of emotionally immature parents, and relationship strain.

I received my bachelor's from James Madison University and a Master of Arts from Lesley University in Expressive Therapy.

I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and complex trauma. I keep a warm, empathetic space where clients explore how thoughts and past experiences impact their mood and overall well-being. I genuinely value connection and collaboration in the therapeutic relationship.

You don't need to know exactly what's wrong before reaching out. Most people I work with start with a sense that something is off, or that they've been managing on their own for too long. That's enough to begin. I work with adults and adolescents facing trauma, depression, and substance use, which are often more connected than they look from the outside. Figuring out how they fit together is part of our work. I'm patient and fairly direct, and I keep a sense of humor in the room. Clients often tell me they don't feel rushed or judged with me, and that matters more to the work than any single technique.