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148 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—4 in Alexandria. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
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94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
As a former school counselor, wife and mother of adult children, I bring both professional experience and real-life perspective to...
About
As a former school counselor, wife and mother of adult children, I bring both professional experience and real-life perspective to my work, creating a warm, compassionate and judgement -free space where clients feel understood, build their strengths, and find meaningful ways to navigate life's challenges.
Hello, I am Kelley Arrowood, a Resident in Counseling and National Certified Counselor based in Virginia. I hold a Master’s in Education in CACREP-accredited School Counseling from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with minors in Human Development and Women’s Studies from UNC Greensboro. For the last year and a half, I have served as a Resident in Counseling in outpatient settings; prior to that, I served seven years as lead school counselor in an elementary school. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation issues, grief, and family stress.
My therapeutic style is eclectic and person-centered. I draw from CBT, solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), DBT, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing (MI), exposure therapy, play therapy, trauma-focused, and strengths-based approaches. My approach is compassionate, warm, practical, with a healthy dose of humor.
Life can be difficult, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. I would feel privileged to hear your story and walk alongside you as you begin or continue your healing journey. Taking the first step can feel intimidating, but you deserve a space where you feel heard, supported, and understood. I invite you to schedule an initial appointment.
Education and training
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I like to think like a leader. A leader is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness....
I like to think like a leader. A leader is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.
Ophelia Boadi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is an experienced Children and Family Mental Health Therapist with a history of working in the field since 2010 in Nonprofit Organizations, community-based organizations, individual/family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychotherapy based on research studies to help children and families meet their goals in treatment.
Ophelia works with children, adolescents, and adults to help them gain insight and build tools to face challenges related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other related issues with others including peers/family, trauma, self-esteem, life transitions, grief and loss, and specific life stressors.
Family/couple conflict can create stress and distance within the family. She works with family members looking to reduce conflict and improve the interactions and connections in order to positively impact the family relationships and problem solve. Ophelia also supports parents with additional parenting skills using evidence-based models such as the Strengthening Family Program.
Ophelia uses multiple approaches including psychodynamic (talk therapy), cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, narrative, solution-focused, and family systems therapies, as well as evidence-based approaches such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Manage and Adapting Practice.
As a therapist with many years of experience, I have worked with a wide range of people and have the ability to meet clients where...
As a therapist with many years of experience, I have worked with a wide range of people and have the ability to meet clients where they are. I’ve developed various ways to help those who want to make changes in their lives.
Lilith “Lily” Greenan is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 21 years of experience helping children, families, and adults navigate life’s challenges. She has extensive experience in outpatient care, the child welfare system, and with trauma, substance use, and severe and persistent mental illness. Lily believes in the power of growth and change, meeting clients with compassion, understanding, and practical tools to help them achieve meaningful progress.
Lily received a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and uses a person-centered approach, drawing on evidence-based practices to empower clients to build resilience and discover new ways to cope. She incorporates psychoeducation, family systems work, and multi-system interventions to improve communication and stability.
Lily believes everyone can overcome difficulties and create a life they desire. She is dedicated to helping clients find strength, improve relationships, and manage challenges with confidence. With her guidance, clients can move toward greater stability, healing, and hope for the future.
I have learned to value and embrace diversity without being judgmental....
I have learned to value and embrace diversity without being judgmental.
Claudette Gadson is currently a Supervisee in Social Work (SISW) Resident of the State of Virginia with years of experience. She treats clients of all ages and specializes in depression, grief, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal/homicidal ideations.
Claudette completed her Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) at Fordham University. The interventions that she utilizes include some elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing.
Claudette is here to help you and to help start your successful path towards change and a bright future. Schedule a session with her today.
Karen Todaro is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Virginia who has 41 years of experience working with adults, co...
Karen Todaro is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Virginia who has 41 years of experience working with adults, couples, teens, and children experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, unwanted behavior, and relationship issues.
Karen completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of South Florida and her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. She utilizes cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, relational, emotionally focused, and life coaching approaches to therapy while maintaining the flexibility, awareness, and creativity to best meet the unique needs of each client. Her focus is to be mindful of your prior life experiences, individual skillset, and timeframe in setting and reaching your goals in order to live your best life.
Karen is non-judgmental, warm, and caring and seeks to build a relationship with you based on mutual trust and respect through open communication. She will assist you with identifying your strengths and building on them so that you can reach your goals efficiently and move forward towards a more optimistic, productive, and rewarding future.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people in family therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. I find the best benefit in cognitive behavioral therapy because it allows the family to see how they are thinking versus what they are thinking about. It also encourages clients to challenge negative thoughts and reframe them as well.
I teach the following tools in family therapy:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in family therapy when there are increased instances of effective communication.
Clients can supplement their time in family therapy with individual therapy to aid in sorting out individual issues.
To prepare for their first family therapy session, an individual can come in with an idea of what they hope to achieve in family therapy.
Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
Thriveworks family therapists in Alexandria, VA usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Thriveworks therapists in Alexandria, VA offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
There are professionals out there who specialize in helping families through difficult times. These individuals have taken the time and put in the hard work to gain important skills, training, and experience in helping families build better relationships. I
f you are in Alexandria, VA or the surrounding area, consider working with a family therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Alexandria. Our experts want to help you improve your family dynamic.
The ultimate mission in family therapy is to help family members address the obstacles in front of them, be it diagnosis of a mental illness, the aftermath of a divorce, a rebellious child, or another challenge. Maybe you’re even dealing with all of the above! Whatever the case, a family therapist at Thriveworks Alexandria can help you properly address these problems.
To give a few more specific examples, a family therapist can help:
After reading through the above, do you feel like your family could benefit from working with a family therapist? Maybe you need help with one of the obstacles we mentioned in this list, or maybe there’s something else that comes to mind. We want you to know that no matter what you’re facing, a family therapist at Thriveworks Alexandria will use their expertise to best help you resolve the problem and live happier.
If you know that your family needs or could benefit from therapy, but you’re on the fence about actually scheduling that appointment, it might help to know what to expect from the experience! While we can’t predict your exact journey, as it will depend on the problem(s) at hand, family dynamics, and so many other factors, there are common techniques used to help repair family relationships, including:
The truth is that communication is often a big problem that either causes or exacerbates the problem identified by family members: adjusting well after divorce, parenting well, etc. In summary, your Thriveworks Alexandria family therapist will help you to improve communication lines as well as resolve other issues that are causing your family distress.
Our family therapists will provide you and your family with the help, guidance, and support that you need to live happier. Here at Thriveworks, we strive to provide premium mental health services, including quick, flexible scheduling, innovative technology like advice by phone or email from your provider, and—of course—extraordinary mental health professionals.
If you think your family could benefit from working with a family therapist or psychologist, consider working with a provider at Thriveworks Alexandria. Call us today to schedule an appointment or schedule online for premium mental health services at Thriveworks.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located near Colvin St and Duke St, off I-395. It is close to the Bishop Ireton High School and just around the corner from the African American Heritage Park.
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148 therapists available in Virginia, including 4 in Alexandria
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