Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Bedford County, VA

Do you ever feel like you are just putting band-aids on problems without really ever getting to the root of what is causing the pain? I am an outcomes oriented therapist with the skill set to help my clients achieve success. Some of the greatest client successes I have witnessed are clients who have experienced dramatic relief from debilitating depression and anxiety symptoms, through working through unresolved trauma.

I have been fortunate to gain experience working with teens to older adults in both the home and outpatient setting. I believe that building trust with my clients is one of the most important parts of the therapeutic process, as it is an invaluable asset to gain as I champion them to reach their goals toward healing and thriving. I have worked with clients who have suffered from depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD, codependency issues, emotion dysregulation, panic disorder, and grief. I have also worked with children in the foster care system, caregivers of those in foster care, and individuals who have suffered from sexual abuse.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia with over 15 years of experience working in various therapeutic settings. I take an individualized, person centered approach in working with adolescents and adults. I look forward to providing a healing environment to my clients to collaboratively address needs brought to each session. I have extensive training in working with trauma and addressing negative self-limiting beliefs as well as instilling more positive and adaptive methods of coping.

I am an outpatient therapist in private practice taking new clients at this time. I specialize in working with survivors, women and people who are learning to know their voice, their thoughts, their emotions as life enhancers, and discovering what they need to flourish. I aim to offer clients space to process emotions in a safe place and to come to know themselves and their needs for improved self-efficacy and empowerment.

I think the first thing someone seeking help needs to release is a sense of wrongness - "I let this happen," "I'm no good," "If only I had..." These are all normal, human responses, but they are also hurtful and create a false sense of self. The reason I became a counselor was to help those individuals carrying around guilt and shame. It affects everything - your relationships, your work, everything! I want everyone to thrive and live their fullest life. Being able to see yourself clearly, not for what you've done or did not do, is a powerful healing agent.

My cousin was one of my best friends. She was bigger than life. At age 20, she left this earth, but never my heart. On her tombstone is part of her poem: "Let's think big thoughts and dream together." I offer this to all who have lost someone, who grieve for what could have been, who want something new and more colorful after the darkness of sadness.

Instead of asking "what's wrong" with someone, my approach is to ask "what happened." Getting to the root of a problem, seeing what’s behind it and what’s contributing to it, is more beneficial in the long term than solely viewing an issue as it presents today. While providing a safe and supportive environment, I work collaboratively with clients to learn ways to manage symptoms more effectively, keep the past from negatively affecting the present, and assist clients in moving forward with clarity and purpose.

Are you are feeling sad, irritable or empty? Do you have trouble concentrating? Have you had a panic attack? What about nightmares or disturbing recollections of past frightening events? If so, therapy can help. Adolescents and adults who have experienced abuse, neglect, violence, bullying, loss of a loved one, divorce, or relationship problems can find relief through therapy.

I have provided faith-integrated marriage and family therapy to individuals, couples, and families for nearly 30 years, but my current clinical focus is treating the impact of trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). You may be in a place of pain or emotional reactivity because of deep childhood injuries, exposure to combat, or the impact of secondary trauma from your work as a medical provider, a first responder, a pastor, or a missionary. I would be honored to hear your story and help you process through your experiences to a place of peacefulness and renewed hope.

The two most important factors in effective psychotherapy are finding the right person with whom you can connect and knowing that the therapy is geared to your unique needs. My 45 years of counseling have taught me therapy is most effective when we work together. Therapy is a cooperative effort. I want to identify your strengths and apply them to your problems. If you have a history of trauma, I have found that EMDR therapy is the most effective way to treat trauma and am excited to offer this therapy.

My passion lies in helping you or your child learn social and emotional regulation in order to thrive in your daily life. I have extensive experience working with children and adolescents with behavioral difficulties, trauma, and substance abuse. I enjoy working with families, couples, and adults as well as children and adolescents. I am certified in trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy which is an evidenced based therapy for children and adolescents with a history of trauma. I use dialectical behavioral therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and behavior modification. Connect with me today to begin your journey towards growth.

Mandy is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a National Certified Counselor. She has completed her Bachelors degree in Psychology, along with her Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University. She has had the honor with working with a variety of populations including children, adolescents, adults and couples for over the past five years. Mandy has experience working with different mental and behavioral needs such as trauma, depression, anxiety, divorce, aggression and others. Mandy utilizes a variety of clinical approaches in her practice. Each

LaPetra Whigham is a liscened clinical social worker with 18 yrs of experience in mental health and integrative healthcare. She is a highly skilled and compassionate therapist who works with individuals with issues ranging from trauma, depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, emotional eating, psuedoseizures and women issues.

I have over ten years of experience in the mental health field, working with a variety of individuals across many backgrounds and treatment needs. I enjoy working with teens and young adults with anxiety who are transitioning between phases of life, as well as mothers who are trying to find balance in life. I have been certified in the treatment of trauma and am honored when someone trusts me enough to allow me into some of the darkest moments of their lives. My primary strategy is to provide a warm and safe environment based on kindness and empathic understanding.

I want you to know that my heart is to walk with you. No matter what you are bringing into counseling, I desire to provide you with a safe space where you can be confident in knowing that you are seen, heard, and known. Areas of specialty include trauma, anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, burnout, culture shock, and spiritual integration. I am willing to follow your lead and personal choice in integrating the Christian faith and biblical principles into our sessions.

My career background before pursuing a Master of Arts in counseling was as an RN and then as executive director of a nonprofit women's ministry focused on eating disorders and other co-existing conditions. When assessing a client I try to take in the whole person: body, mind, and spirit, considering how each of these components is impacting the others. If a client chooses, I am willing to incorporate Christian faith-based counseling, in addition to a mix of therapeutic approaches. I also provide couples and family counseling. I have been married for 37 years and we have three grown children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 doodle-pups.

Finding a therapist you connect with can feel so overwhelming you avoid it. But that is probably why you're here, because there have been things you've been avoiding and you're ready to get some help. Being foster and adoptive parents is way harder than most people understand, especially those who haven't experienced the invasive and arduous process. As a teen or young adult, you might be feeling lost or angry. You might be having a harder time than others figuring out who are you are and where you fit in the world. My style fuses warmth, humor, and directness.

I believe it is crucial for those seeking counseling to encounter a safe and compassionate environment. My goal is to meet clients where they are with warmth, connection, faith in their ability to achieve the outcomes they desire, compassionate challenge, and even humor. I hope that clients leave their therapy experience with increased awareness and insight, new skills, a sense of relief, and expanded knowledge about themselves, others and the world around them.

Marisa Jones, MEd is a Licensed Professional Counselor certified by the Virginia Department of Health, Board of Counseling with experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Marisa’s personal philosophy and approach to counseling is a collaborative work that considers life experiences, patterns, relationships, and beliefs that have shaped and currently influence you or your family member’s ways of being in the world.