Grief counselors and therapists in Sterling, VA

I hold a Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia with over 31 years of experience. My career began in New Jersey and grew through extensive work in child protective services, where I ultimately served as a program manager overseeing county-wide services. I have expertise in treating trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and family conflict, and have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families across a wide range of settings.

I have worked as a counselor for over 20 years with individuals, couples and families, both for private and government organizations. My education and training focused on trauma, anxiety, depression and adjustment disorders.

I'm a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) — one of a relatively small number of therapists trained directly through Dr. Peter Levine's institute — and a certified partner trauma specialist through APSATS. That combination means I work with two kinds of clients who often struggle to find the right therapist: people whose anxiety, PTSD, or grief isn't responding to traditional talk therapy, and partners navigating the devastating aftermath of betrayal and infidelity.After 15 years, I've learned that the body holds what words can't always reach. My work is rooted in that understanding — and in deep respect for how much courage it takes to begin.

Hello,

My name is Cheryl Simms Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Substance Abuse Practitioner. I am thrilled to have you here! I am all about embracing self care transforming into the best version of yourself. Get ready to shine.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship stress, or family boundaries? I support adults with anxiety, depression, OCD, postpartum concerns, trauma, PTSD, grief, substance use, and relationship challenges. I especially support daughters of narcissistic mothers and people navigating estrangement or no contact. I welcome all races, genders, identities, LGBTQIA+ clients, and neurodivergent adults, including those with ADHD or ADD. As a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience, I offer warmth, empathy, and respect for how identity and life shapes what you carry.

Lisa has been has been a nurse for 34 years. For over 12 years she has been a nurse practitioner. Her experience includes: child/adolescent out patient services, residential services, In-Patient Mental health Seervices, Partial Outpatient Mental Health Services and Outpatient mental health services.

Hello, I’m happy to meet you and begin working with you as a therapist who specializes in trauma. The following information includes my professional background, the therapeutic services I provide, and the rights and responsibilities that will guide our work together. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have.

My Education and Experience: I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology, a master’s degree in Sociology with a clinical emphasis, a doctoral degree in Applied Sociology with a clinical specialization, and I’m a Certified Clinical Sociologist through the Association of Applied and Clinical Sociology. I completed a master’s degree in clinical social work (MSW) with a specialization in Trauma and Interpersonal Violence in 2022 and am a fully licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). I earned my previous degrees in Kentucky from Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. I completed my MSW through Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. My past clinical work has focused on family preservation and child welfare through in-home crisis intervention, family reunification services, parenting education and independent living skills, supervised visitation for children residing in foster care, and custodial mediation and visitation for co-parenting separated or divorced couples. I’ve also worked for the states of Kentucky and Virginia as a child welfare analyst, consultant, and educator. Additional work has included forensic interviewing, case management support for child advocacy centers, and expert testimony in court cases involving child maltreatment and domestic violence as a Qualified Mental Health Professional in (QMHP) Virginia and Kentucky.