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169 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—2 in Charlottesville. 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 trauma therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
As one who has experienced personal trauma, loss, and hardship, I offer an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can safely ex...
About
As one who has experienced personal trauma, loss, and hardship, I offer an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can safely explore your experiences, develop new life skills, and engage in holistic healing.
I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering empathetic, research-driven care to individuals of all ages. I have worked with clients facing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, and other psychiatric conditions. Many individuals seek insight, emotional stability, and actionable strategies to navigate stressors, strengthen relationships, and regain a sense of control. I am particularly committed to empowering clients seeking deeper self-understanding, resilience, and working toward meaningful, lasting change.
My personality style is warm, empathetic, and approachable, creating a safe space where clients feel comfortable being open and honest. I help them feel heard, understood, and empowered. I value authenticity and maintain a nonjudgmental attitude, meeting each person where they are and helping clients build practical skills for lasting growth and healing.
Taking the first step toward mental wellness can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. I am here to support you with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to your growth and healing. I encourage you to take the next step and begin your journey toward meaningful change.
Education and training
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As a bi-racial woman who has experienced trauma and loss of loved ones, I am able to connect with those who are trying to rebuild ...
As a bi-racial woman who has experienced trauma and loss of loved ones, I am able to connect with those who are trying to rebuild themselves, and find joy in their everyday lives.
Hey, my name is Dr. Kayla Thorne! I have received my Doctorate in Human Services, Master of Social Work, and Bachelor of Arts in sociology. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2025 and have provided therapy to children, adolescents, and teenagers since 2023 as a Supervisee in Social Work. I have also provided therapy to college-aged students and adults since 2025. I enjoy the wide variety of clients that I work with who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and life changes. I work with the clients to set goals for therapy and help them achieve those goals throughout the therapy timeframe.
I use a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach and have specialized training in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress. I focus on active listening, cognitive restructuring, and assigning homework (as needed) between sessions to support continued growth.
Life can be challenging to navigate at times, especially when you feel anxious, stressed, or alone. I know it can be hard to find someone to trust to talk about your experiences when it seems impossible to deal with the life stressors. I'll be there to meet you where you are during those tough times, so feel free to book a session with me.
Hi! I’m a dedicated and compassionate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and I’m truly honored to support you on your m...
Hi! I’m a dedicated and compassionate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and I’m truly honored to support you on your mental health journey.
Shauna Polen is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 1 year of clinical experience. She is committed to delivering evidence-based, personalized care. Shauna has experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Her approach is rooted in clinical expertise and genuine compassion for each person’s mental health journey.
Shauna earned her Master’s in Nursing from Norfolk State University with a focus on psychiatric mental health. She brings a background in clinical and theoretical care and tailors treatment using medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Her approach is client-centered and collaborative.
Shauna is passionate about education and advocacy in mental health care. She stays up to date on current research to ensure high-quality treatment. Known for her empathy and dedication, Shauna builds strong, trusting relationships with her clients and provides care that supports healing and long-term wellness.
I am here to assist you with navigating your life experience regardless of the stage you currently occupy....
I am here to assist you with navigating your life experience regardless of the stage you currently occupy.
My name is Esonija' Fulgham, and I'm a licensed clinical social worker practicing in VA, DC, and MD. I've been practicing clinical social work independently for almost 15 years. I enjoy the work that I do in helping families and individuals thrive and learn to articulate their lived experiences from a place of empowerment.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, empowerment approaches, and trauma-informed frameworks to help clients live their best lives. My focus is on equipping you with practical coping skills.
I look forward to working with you and am humbled that you've chosen me to share your journey.
I understand that our society can view mental health negatively, but my goal is to redesign mental health care and make it assessa...
I understand that our society can view mental health negatively, but my goal is to redesign mental health care and make it assessable to all walks of life without discrimination.
Kedian Gooden is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) committed to assisting individuals with mental health challenges to live more productive lives and improve their functioning in society. As a PMHNP, Kedian’s role is to provide safe, quality psychiatric care to individuals and their families. She is well versed in applying an evidence-based approach to conducting a psychiatric assessment, medication evaluation, and management for a wide variety of mental health conditions. Furthermore, Kedian has over 15 years of experience in health care, working in various positions, which have aided in her developing the necessary skills and abilities for providing the highest quality behavioral health care.
In 2007, Kedian obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at the Northern Caribbean University. Over the years, she grew to love and appreciate caring for individuals with mental health conditions, which gave her the drive to improve the quality of care and bring more awareness to reduce the daunting stigma plaguing the mental health community. She then furthered her studies at Walden University, achieving a Master of Science degree in nursing specializing in mental health care across a life span. Kedian possesses exceptional clinical skills and a natural ability to build rapport with clients and their families.
Kedian is passionate and highly motivated in delivering high-quality, compassionate, client-centered care. She demonstrates empathetic listening skills and establishes a therapeutic alliance with patients, family, or caregivers in a nonjudgmental and safe virtual environment. If you are ready to take control of your mental health, join her and schedule an appointment with her today!
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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I love to work with clients who are wondering if they have complex PTSD. The skills I use most are psychoeducation, CBT and DBT approaches for increasing knowledge about emotional regulation, and self-compassion skills. I talk about how toxic shame and guilt can result from experiencing childhood trauma and/or childhood emotional neglect. This goes hand-in-hand with late-diagnosed ADHD adults. CPTSD and ADHD have significant symptom overlap. I also specialize in ADHD, so getting to the root cause of the symptoms is always a goal.
Psychoeducation is one of my most valued and utilized skills. I want to help people understand the consequences of childhood trauma without having to relive it. This helps to teach the client self-validation, self-normalization, and compassion toward the self. I help clients make connections between their current functioning and childhood experiences. I use standard screening tools available to all counselors to assist with this. This type of therapy usually takes several years to unpack fully. During this time, I provide support for grief, betrayal trauma, and rebuilding healthy relationships and address the client's current relational functioning.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy when they are able to recognize old patterns of their behaviors, pause and respond instead of reacting to situations, and use coping techniques in real-time.
Clients can supplement their time in PTSD/trauma therapy with journaling! It's the easiest and most accessible way to increase their self-awareness. There are also workbooks, available at major bookstores and online, catered to many different struggles.
To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma (tele)therapy session, someone can make sure you schedule a time when they can fully focus on the session. They can also get comfy by getting the drink of their choice and eating before the session so they are satisfied. They can be ready to experience some unpleasant emotions during the session, but know that they can always redirect the therapist's questions by stating, I don't want to talk about that yet, or I'm not ready to dig into that topic right now. The client is always in control of the time and topic!
Trauma therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on treating the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals. Trauma therapy helps people process and heal from their trauma by guiding them through their trauma in a compassionate and supportive way, allowing clients to feel the full scope of what happened to them and eventually move on from the event(s). This process helps people who have experienced trauma find ways to feel safe in their lives.
Trauma therapy will often require individuals to walk through their experiences in a controlled and compassionate setting (unless the client has a dissociative disorder) so that they can fully process the event, an activity that will allow them to move on from what happened and feel safe again. Thriveworks Charlottesville therapists will also help clients learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms outside of therapy.
Thriveworks trauma counseling in Charlottesville, VA is conducted both in person and online through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
If an individual is working through a single event that occurred during adulthood, they may only need a few months of treatment. However, in instances of childhood trauma or repeated traumatic events, therapy may continue over the course of years. Trauma therapy usually ends when the client believes they have met their therapeutic goals, however long that takes to occur. Thriveworks therapists in Charlottesville, VA will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.
Some people find it difficult or impossible to relax, often saying it even hurts to do so. These symptoms often lead to sleep difficulties including inability to fall or stay asleep, kicking, night sweats, nightmares, frequent waking often as though being startled awake.
Similarly, psychological symptoms may involve mood swings, memory problems, emotional pain, substance abuse or addiction (self-medicating), a noticeable change in personal hygiene or housekeeping behavior, taking exceptional risks, isolating, wondering “what’s the point”, flashbacks, aggression, self-mutilation or suicidal thoughts.
The most important thing is to identify these symptoms as they arise – don’t feel guilt or shame about them. If you or someone you know is experiencing the effects of trauma, be proactive! Some of these ideas can help:
While everyone heals at their own rate, not everyone can heal on their own. If your symptoms interfere with your normal daily functions, or if your relationships are being negatively impacted, it’s time to reach out to a professional, and we at Thriveworks Charlottesville are here to provide you the professional help you need, right away. We operate with a “no waiting list” policy. Call us today and see a counselor within 24 hours, and sometime seven the same day! We’re excited to help you on your road to recovery!
Call today at 434-812-4009! We’re ready to start when you are—and you’re welcome to book online to get started, too.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Charlottesville is located near Commonwealth Drive and Greenbrier Dr, off Route 29. It is close to Charlotte Yancey Humphris Park and just off Commonwealth Drive near the Agnor-Hurt Elementary School.
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