Meet our team
Counselors available in VA
Charmaine Dockett
Founder of Rivers of Hope Counseling
Charmaine Dockett specializes in partner communication crises and challenges, resolving relationship and marital conflicts, and helping others navigate life’s transitions and hardships with compassion, grace, and unwavering support. To learn more about Charmaine’s approach and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Yvette Kearney
Supervisee in Social Work
My counseling style includes being empathetic, showing compassion, being realistic, and person-centered. I am an empathetic coach, an active listener, and an advocate for self-awareness. I have over 15 years of experience in mental health. I currently specialize in treatment for adults, and adolescents ages 13-19 years old. I work with clients who identify with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive health issues. To help my clients reach individual goals, I like to use a person-centered approach that focuses on achievements and progression. I value a behavioral approach while assisting my clients with their cognitive and emotional needs. I believe that humanistic style therapy is a crucial factor in my mental health practices. To learn more about Yvette’s approach to treatment and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Melissa Roberts
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Hello! My name is Melissa Roberts. I am an LPC- Resident in Counseling. I graduated in 2019 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. I graduated in 2006 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education. I have been working with children, adolescents, and their families for 20+ years. I have experience working in a public school setting where I have guided children and their families academically and emotionally. I also have experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in crisis at a crisis stabilization unit, where I led group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy. To learn more about Melissa’s approach to treatment and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Jasper Boomer
Licensed Substance Abuse
Treatment Practitioner
Licensed Resident In Counseling
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Jasper “Boomer” Boomer is a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner with a master’s degree in counseling from Argosy University as well as a master’s in education from George Mason University. He is an Army Veteran with 15 years of experience in Behavioral Health specializing in substance use addiction, Anxiety, PTSD, and Depression. To learn more about Jasper’s approach to treatment and see if he is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Claire Foote
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Claire Foote is a Licensed Resident in Counseling and certified SYMBIS premartial counselor. She earned her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and is working towards state licensure. She has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. Claire’s main areas of expertise are anxiety disorders, depression, LGBTQ+ community, life transitional concerns, skill building enhancement, coping skill development, and trauma management. Claire has an interest in couples counseling and trauma-focused care. To learn more about Claire’s approach to treatment and see if he is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Lea Harkless
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Let me help you take a journey and explore what is preventing you from moving forward. Please know that I am non-judgmental, reliable, compassionate, and committed to my clients. I adhere to ethical principles and treat people with dignity and respect. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, fear of change, stress, trauma, relationship issues, oppression, or excessive use of substances, I believe that by working together, we can develop a treatment plan centered on “you” and “your specific needs.” I have 10+ years of experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Chemical dependency recovery skills and relapse prevention, Family Systems, and many more. To learn more about Lea’s approach to treatment and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Stephanie Morehead
Licensed Resident In Counseling
Stephanie is a Resident in Counseling and has over eight years of experience working with individuals who struggle with trauma and severe mental illness. She also has extensive experience helping individuals with anxiety, depression, and grief – including pet loss. She operates from a strengths-based perspective and believes in equipping clients with the tools they need to help themselves learn, heal, and grow. Stephanie is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She enjoys teaching clients about how symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression live in the brain and the body and uses creative and exploratory ways to help clients strengthen their relationships with themselves and those around them. To learn more about Stephanie’s approach to treatment and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Chia-Hua Lu
Licensed Professional Counselor
Chia-Hua Lu specializes in helping adults, children, couples, and families cope with trauma, grief, and PTSD. As a certified Art Therapist, she incorporates the unique power of creativity into treatment to help individuals process and overcome their experiences. To learn more about Chia-Hua’s approach and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Shantell Turner
Licensed Professional Counselor
Shantell Turner specializes in helping individuals, adults, and adolescents overcome crisis, substance abuse, trauma and PTSD, and co-occurring disorders by providing a judgement-free, affirming space for personal growth. To learn more about Shantell’s approach and see if she is the right fit for you, click the link below.
Catie Whittaker
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional
Catie Whittaker specializes in helping adolescents and adults overcome the symptoms and stressors of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD, with an inclusive and accepting approach to treatment. Click below to learn more about Catie and if her approach is right for you.
Alyssa Maxie
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Alyssa Maxie is currently a Licensed Resident in Counseling working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has over 8 years of experience working in the Mental Health Field. Alyssa has received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Ferrum College and earned her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She enjoys working with various populations, from young children and adolescent teens to couples and individual adults! Alyssa believes in a personal, patient-centered approach to counseling, however, she also uses techniques such as CBT, Mindfulness, EMDR for trauma patients and Play Therapy for young children.
Kristyna Lathem
Licenesd Professional Counselor
Kristyna Lathem is a Licensed Resident in Counseling. Kristyna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with concentrations in addictions, trauma, and crisis from Walden University. Her passion is meeting people where they are in a time of need by utilizing a collaborative approach. This is evident in her previous work as a crisis counselor, applied behavior therapist, addictions counselor, and therapeutic day treatment counselor. Being a military spouse has sparked Kristyna interest in researching stressors that National Guard spouses face during deployment. She provides a nonjudgmental, safe environment where her clients can express their thoughts and feelings.
Yamilet Cardenas
Licensed Resident in Counseling
When a child experiences trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel and for the youth to become challenging. My great passion is bringing healing to youth who have been through a traumatic/stressful experience. I help my clients discover healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen their personal relationships. My goal is for the youth to know themselves as peaceful, complete, whole and safe. Since no single approach is the right one for every individual, I have been trained in a range of modalities including CBT, Play Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and Internal Family Systems Model to the treatment of trauma.
Carly Moody
Licensed Resident in Marriage & Family Therapy
Carly has a passion for helping others heal by finding themselves again. Carly uses a systemic approach in therapy to help people identify where their pain is coming from and working together in a therapeutic setting to find the best solution possible, all while helping clients become whole again. Carly has vast experience working with children, adolescents, and the family system as an entire. Carly also enjoys couples and marriage counseling. A few of her areas of specialty include trauma-informed care, addressing depression or anxiety in individuals, ADHD or Autism diagnoses, or helping others transition from one stage of life to the next. Carly uses empathy and understanding to help people better regulate their emotions.
Wanda Uzzle
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Wanda Uzzle has served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, and obtained her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University, and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Clinical Counseling from Saint Leo University. Wanda enjoys partnering with individuals, couples, and families seeking help with addressing issues such as mood disorders, personality disorders, stress management, life challenges, anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger management, grief, effective communication, and military related issues.
She has a passion to cultivate and empower others to become and be their very best no matter where they are in life. Wanda seeks to establish an authentic rapport and caring relationship with her clients to assist in building on their strengths and to better collaborate towards meeting their goals and living the meaningful life they desire.
Danien “Dee” Johnson
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Qualified Mental Health Professional
When human beings experience a crisis, trauma, or other life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. My greatest passion is bringing healing, recovery, and empowerment to the people who have been through a traumatic/stressful experience. I have helped many clients, who include children, adults, and families, to develop and sustain healthy life skills to aid them on the road to self-sufficiency. I am committed to providing a compassionate, open, non-judgmental environment to allow those in need of emotional and psychological support.
Chantel Bishop
Licensed Professional Counselor
Whether you are initiating services with me, or continuing your mental health journey, know that you are still taking steps in the right direction to cater to your mental and emotional health needs! As a therapist, my clinical approach is to develop a relaxed and judgment-free environment to build a healthy and supportive therapeutic relationship with you. I use cultural sensitivity, ethics, & evidence-based practices to address Depressive Disorders, Self-injurious Behavior, Anxiety/Bipolar Disorders, Anger/Stress Management, Grief, PTSD, Substance Abuse, and some Trauma. I am experienced in working with families, children 5-17, couples, and elderly clients.
Working and earning the trust & truths of my clients are paramount in addressing their mental health needs. One of my core beliefs is for you to be heard and validated as an individual. I am honored to guide you through your overall healing journey!
Alexandria Arthur
Licensed Mental Health Professional Resident
Hello, my name is Alexandria “Alex” Arthur. I am here to help guide you through your trauma recovery. You do not have to feel stuck, weighed down, or unmotivated! I provide a non-judgmental, reliable, compassionate, and committed environment. With my person-centered therapy techniques, you will be put at the center of all we do for your mental health. I adhere to all ethical principles and treat people with the dignity and respect they deserve because I understand what it feels like to not be treated that way. I am a Licensed Mental Health Professional Resident. I received my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling from Liberty University and am currently working through my residency to receive my LPC. I am also in the Doctoral program with LU and am specializing in Traumatology, and I have a bachelor’s degree in law received from Liberty University. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing or EMDR, Crisis Intervention, crisis, and Victim/Witness advocation.
KATRINA WILLIAMS
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Hi, my name is Katrina Williams.
I am currently a licensed Resident in Counseling. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and I am currently working on my PhD in Forensic Psychology.
My clinical experience includes the areas of community-based counseling, residential treatment, private counseling, autism spectrum disorders, and crisis intervention. I have a great deal of experience with trauma informed care and working with individuals who struggle with self-harming behaviors, depression, anxiety. Marriage and family therapy as well as members of the LGBTQ population. When providing therapy, I utilize a multidimensional approach based on the needs and successes of my clients. However, my current passion is researching, understanding, and implementing therapeutic techniques that focus on the concept of shadow work and self-introspection.
Shaina Lester
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Shaina is very passionate about assisting others on their healing journey. Shaina uses a non-judgmental and compassionate approach when working with clients. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She also has experience working with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. Shaina has worked with many diagnoses’ including ADHD, ODD, Depression, Anxiety, Autism, PTSD, Gender Dysphoria, grief-loss issues, and more. During treatment, she uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Family Systems, and more. Shaina enjoys looking at the “whole person” during treatment and helping individuals reach their full potential. Shaina is determined to create a safe and open space for people to share their heart and be a support for people during their journey.
Anthony Otis
Licensed Therapist
Hello, My name is Anthony and I’m a licensed therapist with 16 years of experience in providing therapy for individuals, couples, and families. My approach to therapy is client-centered, which means that I focus on the unique needs and goals of each person I work with.
I believe that therapy can be a transformative experience, allowing individuals to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and find new ways to cope with life’s difficulties.
Sierra Dayton
Resident In Counseling
Shannah James
Licensed Masters Social Worker
Hello, my name is Shannah James, formerly known as Shannah Heymer. I’m a Licensed Masters Social Worker specializing in mental health with 12 years of experience working with adolescents (ages 13 and above) and adults in group counseling, family/marriage counseling, individual counseling, trauma therapy, grief counseling and crisis intervention.
I am a passionate and empathetic therapist with strong counseling abilities committed to work with you to explore what is preventing you from moving forward. I have experience leading clients through trauma, death of a loved one, depression, anxiety, stress, behavioral changes and relationship issues. I am fully committed to listen and provide a safe, ethical and supportive place so that we can develop a treatment plan centered on “you” and “your specific needs.”.
Beth Paul
Mental Health Therapist
Elizabeth sees her clients truly from the perspective that they are the heart of the work she does. She recognizes that each person is the best representation of who they are and how they connect with themselves and others in their own life. She is a therapist who lends her training, personality, and demeanor to becoming a guide and mentor along the way for her clients. Elizabeth likes to use humor yet is extremely authentic and genuine as she moves through getting to know her clients and helping them form treatment plans during their therapy journey. Her clients often report that they connected with themselves on deeper levels than they initially thought possible. And have also shared that their therapy experience was a fun and at times tough journey to wellness and betterment and Elizabeth’s approach made them feel at ease and that their needs mattered.
Beth Boothe
Licensed Professional Counselor
Hi, my name is Beth! I believe my job as a therapist is to provide support to my clients as they strive to reach their goals and improve their lives. My goal is to treat each client’s story with the respect it deserves, while providing a warm, non-judgmental space for clients to work through any concerns they may have.
My approach is primarily centered around the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; however, I often include interventions and techniques from other approaches in order to provide individualized treatment targeted at each client’s specific needs. Every person’s path is different, and I would be honored to join you for a brief time along your journey to help make it all that you want it to be.