Lesbian Therapists in Staunton, VA

In today's fast-paced world it can be hard to really feel a sense of connectedness to to others and even to your own true path and self. You might feel derailed due to past situations, relationships, or difficult or traumatic experiences. I'm here to help you make the changes you need to build on your strengths and develop new skills so you can get back on track and experience the authentic connection and path you seek. I see this process as a journey we take together that involves exploration of important emotions, thoughts, experiences & behaviors, so that you can fulfill your goals on your own terms.

Hey, my name is Mackenzie, but you can call me Max (I'm not much for formalities)! I'm glad you are here. I help women who struggle with depression, anxiety, and trauma to improve their quality of life. I am passionate about supporting people in overcoming barriers to living the way you want to live. You may be looking for support in building confidence, boundary setting, you may be looking for support in processing past trauma in a safe space, or you may be looking to connect with your inner child. Maybe it is something entirely different. Either way, you are on the right track, therapy is an amazing tool at every life stage.

I have 25 years experience working as a counselor for children, adolescents, families, and adults. I work with people who are dealing with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief/loss, trauma, self-image, and any stresses related to race or sexual identity/orientation.

I’m Kira, a clinician who is practicing everyday, and learning new things because I’m challenged by the work that we do together. This is a safe place for us to practice, challenge one another, plant seeds and grow anew. Everyone experiences life challenges and changes that can create stress, confusion, discomfort and pain. Because life isn’t perfect, some or many of them cause wounding. Therapy can help you work through these life challenges and changes to create an easier journey.

I recognize and respect the courage it takes to begin counseling. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate environment in order to work on identified issues and bring about hope, peace and well-being. Common concerns addressed in counseling include: play therapy, stress management, relationship issues, life transitions, grief, anger and attachment, and mood disorders. I work holistically, focusing on emotional, relational, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. Counseling theories utilized include cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal process, and mindfulness.

Janet Mizzi Balser graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology from Hollins University and received her Masters in Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University. She has over 30 years experience of working with child abuse victims and other victims of trauma. She has a facility dog, Murph, who works with her. Murph is a graduate of Canine Companions for Independence. He assists his handler by making everyone feel comfortable so they can tell their story in a non-judgmental setting.

I love helping people find their true freedom in life! To be all that you truly are with confidence. You may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, afraid, anxious, confused, sad, depressed, hopeless, angry ... or something else. Together we'll create a safe space for you to land with what's bothering you. We'll start with where you are, draw strength from the things that are already working well in your life, unravel and release what's got you stuck and keeping you from living the life you want.

I regard much of 'psychopathology' as well-intended (but ineffective) efforts to contend with pain and fear, and to pursue needs and wants. So, in psychotherapy, I invite my clients to explore, identify, and take guidance from their emotional experiences, honoring their depression, anxiety, and other symptoms while finding more effective ways of living well. I also provide psychological and neuropsychological assessments.

**ACCEPTING CLIENTS**. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Virginia providing psychological therapies to adolescents, adults, and couples. My primary focus is in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, dual diagnosis, grief, adjustment, and relational problems. My background includes clinical work, case management and training in the medical, educational, social service and therapeutic settings. I am experienced providing assessments and clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults. I also have experience treating those with medical challenges, grief and loss.

My practice focuses on providing a safe, secure space to explore personal and relational healing and growth with individuals. I work with a wide variety of issues and challenges with an overall focus on transforming the wounds of life so that the core self can flourish. Experiences of trauma, relational hurts and beliefs about the self can leave us stuck in pain and disconnection. Together we will explore and restore your birthright of love and connection.

Please note current limited availability for new clients: late morning-early afternoon. Welcome and thank you for taking the first steps toward living a more fulfilling life. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and enjoy working with individuals and groups. I believe that counseling should be holistic, taking into consideration your physical health and wellness as well as your mental and emotional wellness.

It is important to provide a supportive, attuned presence to help my patients work through the struggles, problems, and difficulties that have brought them into treatment. I build a relationship of trust with my patients in order to help them feel the support and care I have for them. I believe that diligent exploration of a patient's negative emotions and problematic relationships leads to healing. Through the use of simple challenges, highlighting of interpersonal and emotional patterns, encouragement, and honest feedback, my objective is to help the patient feel the love and support needed to heal and change.

Dr. Glen Bowman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) with more than 30 years of experience providing counseling services in a variety of settings, including college and university counseling centers, outpatient mental health clinics, and inpatient psychiatric centers. His work with adults, children, couples, and families has focused on issues related to stress and coping, transition and identity-related issues, communication skills, anger management, grief, loss, perfectionism, social anxiety, panic disorders, OCD, depression, and substance abuse.

As a seasoned clinician (25+yrs experience) I find the work deeply rewarding. My primary focus is relational but can integrate other techniques. Good therapy helps people to develop a stronger sense of identity, self worth and agency. We can explore strengths, longings, disappointments, stuck places, self defeating behaviors, caregiver strain and coping tools. We can work to deepen relationships and focus on greater satisfaction in both your personal & professional life. Prefer initial contact via text (or email) telling me about yourself and what you are looking to work on in therapy.

Feeling stuck and not knowing which way to turn? Feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to ask for help? Not sure what to try next? I have been there. Unsure, overwhelmed, and afraid of what I might discover if I looked inside. That is where I began my own journey back in 1987. That is how I know that there is hope. It is unfortunate, that we don’t get to pick our parents or early care givers. For many of us, the experiences from early childhood, shape who we are today and how we interact with the world around us. These experiences are powerful influences on how we cope with life stress and even the partners we chose in life.

Accompaniment matters. Relationships transform. We sit together to access the health that is at the center of every human being, even when one of us can’t feel it. We sit because healing happens in relationship, access to true self is made easier in the presence of another person’s settled nervous system, and because your healing matters for the health of all of us. Whether you are facing overwhelm, anger, a frozen feeling, compulsions, depression, trauma, anxiety, or facing other difficult experience, we can touch it with awareness and respect. Our experience includes joy, includes pain, and includes connection and compassion.

Offering evidence based & integrative strategies, we provide excellence in trauma treatment. Our full circle suite of therapeutic modalities is formulated to provide integrity based & responsive care on the front line. Services that set us apart include EMDR, Crisis Response, Play Therapy, Reiki & Wellness Consults. Specialties include treatment and wellness care for First Responders, State Police, survivors of abuse & the neurodiverse. Restoring empowerment & instilling trust, we provide a safe space which enables you to find honor and connections in relationships.

Life can be overwhelming and emotional when children and adolescents are struggling with mental health concerns and challenges. Trauma leaves feelings of anxiety, depression, worthlessness that can make everyday interactions a struggle. Individuals need to feel safe, secure, feel valued and have a sense of belonging to fully participate in their lives. Treatment options should focus on their developmental stage, strengths and values. Building self-esteem, confidence and self image is the first step to healing.

Now offering equine therapy add-on services! I am a licensed professional counselor in Harrisonburg, VA with specialized training for trauma counseling and equine therapy. I work with all ages, but particularly enjoy working with teens/young adults, as I feel they need the most support in learning about relationships, identity, and building a healthy sense of self as they move into adulthood. At any age, I enjoy taking that journey alongside my clients as they build awareness of their inner world impacts the relationships around them, so that they can connect back to the parts of self from which they may have disconnected.