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Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
8 therapists available in Lynchburg
In my work as a counselor, I focus on helping people grow, understand themselves better, and make empowered decisions for their li...
About
In my work as a counselor, I focus on helping people grow, understand themselves better, and make empowered decisions for their lives.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Resident with 2 years of experience in the mental health field. I work with individuals, couples, and families, supporting them through identity development, life transitions, trauma, and grief. I also have experience with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and anger management. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where clients feel supported and empowered to reach their goals.
I received my Master of Arts in Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University, where I trained to work with diverse populations. I use approaches such as expressive arts, emotion-focused therapy, person-centered work, and dialectal behavior therapy. I tailor each session to meet my clients’ needs and honor their unique stories.
I believe that everyone has the ability to change and grow. My role is to walk alongside clients, meeting them wherever they are in their journey, and help them make empowered changes in their lives. I strive to support people through whatever challenges life may bring, ensuring they never have to face those challenges alone.
Education and training
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My goal as a counselor is to support my clients in developing practical skills to apply in their day-to-day lives so they can auth...
My goal as a counselor is to support my clients in developing practical skills to apply in their day-to-day lives so they can authentically author their narrative.
Stephanie Pitts-Riley is a Resident in Counseling with 5 years of experience. Stephanie is trained in EMDR - She is dedicated to helping others navigate life transitions, process grief or trauma, and explore their identity. Stephanie’s ideal client wants to collaborate to regain control of their narrative. Motivated by her own experience navigating mental health, Stephanie is committed to supporting children, adolescents, and adults on the journey toward embracing their authentic selves. She works with all populations, backgrounds, and diagnoses.
Stephanie holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She blends counseling theories and techniques to tailor interventions to meet each client's specific needs. As mentioned, Stephanie offers EMDR therapy, traditional talk therapy, and children's therapies and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
With an extensive background in mental health services and social work, Stephanie effectively advocates for clients in a hands-on manner. She fosters accountability and personal growth by creating a space of acceptance, respect, and kindness. Reach out to start your path to healing and self-discovery!
As a counselor who has worked extensively with clients who have experienced many forms of trauma, I understand the difficult proce...
As a counselor who has worked extensively with clients who have experienced many forms of trauma, I understand the difficult process it is to heal from these experiences.
Marie Boyd is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a wide range of experience working with children and adults who struggle with anger, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Marie has extensive experience in trauma-informed care and she strives to help those with healing from these experiences to create a safe space in processing trauma and developing coping skills to manage their symptoms and make strides in eliminating maladaptive behaviors.
Marie completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology at Lynchburg College and her Master of Education (MEd) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Lynchburg. Marie’s clients are willing to invest in their growth and healing process and will complete any assigned "homework" which will help them reach their treatment goals outside of scheduled sessions. Marie also works with those who are interested in personal growth or struggle with life changes, but do not know where to start. She helps clients develop personal goals and create a plan of action in order to meet those goals as well as navigate the ever-changing journey that life takes them on. Marie believes that all clients are worthy of respect, a safe space to share their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and they are worthy of living the life they have dreamed of.
Marie knows that starting therapy can be scary and difficult, but she would love to help you with your goals in either managing symptoms of your diagnoses or simply working through life struggles and changes. She will take her time and work at whatever pace feels comfortable for you. Marie uses an eclectic mix of person-centered therapeutic techniques such as psychoeducation, identifying helpful coping skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)- and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)-informed techniques, art and play therapy-informed interventions, and trauma-informed care. She is client-focused and will adjust her counseling style to meet your needs. Marie will help you examine underlying thought patterns and core beliefs which lead to negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. She works on restructuring thought patterns in order to help clients live healthy and fulfilling lives. This is your time to heal and grow and Marie is happy to join you for that journey.
Having 15 years of experience working in the field, I understand the need for others to improve the ability to cope and improve th...
Having 15 years of experience working in the field, I understand the need for others to improve the ability to cope and improve their overall quality of life.
Christel Hammett is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience working with children from early childhood to adolescence and their families. She specializes in treating adjustment disorders, anxiety, attachment, autism spectrum-related issues, depression, low self-esteem, chronic stress, trauma, and more.
She has her Bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She has experience in outpatient treatment, crisis counseling, and in-home behavioral treatment. Christel utilizes an eclectic approach with a primary approach in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) while also utilizing behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, psychoeducational, and attachment-based approaches.
Christel enjoys working with individuals to realize their strengths and ability in treatment with the overall goal of working on healing. She encourages self-reflection so individuals can grow from their treatment and move forward with personal growth. Christel focuses on a person-centered approach to improve overall functioning.
Starting therapy can be really intimidating; I'm honored you're taking the first step with me....
Starting therapy can be really intimidating; I'm honored you're taking the first step with me.
Geoffrey Dill (he/him) is a Resident in Counseling (RIC) with years of experience working in the mental health field. He is passionate about providing therapeutic care to clients dealing with shame, specializing particularly in eating disorders, LGBTQIA+ needs, trauma, depression, and low self-esteem.
Geoffrey completed his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and became licensed as a Resident in Counseling in 2023. Additionally, after meeting supervision and educational requirements, he received his credential as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). In sessions, Geoffrey uses an eclectic approach, pulling especially from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion-focused therapy (CPT), and narrative therapy.
Geoffrey is confident that he will be able to support you on your mental wellness journey by providing a calm, restorative space where you'll be seen and understood and teaching coping skills to confront your everyday challenges. Schedule your appointment with him today.
As an experienced therapist, I will work to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for clients to achieve their th...
As an experienced therapist, I will work to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for clients to achieve their therapeutic goals.
Joshua Kee is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with more than 12 years of clinical mental health experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families who have experienced various symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger management, parent/child difficulty, mood disorders, stress management, ADHD, impulse control issues, and family and relationship issues, among others.
Joshua is highly skilled in building rapport and trust with his clients in order to create an effective therapeutic alliance. He received his Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2014. Joshua utilizes an eclectic approach that is rooted in cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-focused cognitive approaches (TFCBT), and mindfulness and meditation-based approaches.
Joshua works to address negative thought patterns and habits while restoring self-regulation and improving daily functioning. He seeks to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for his clients to achieve their therapeutic goals.
Your trauma is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility....
Your trauma is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility.
Danielle Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping adolescents, adults, and couples address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Danielle specializes in trauma, PTSD, C-PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, and substance misuse.
Danielle completed her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, somatic breathing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy (SFT).
Our trauma impacts us everyday but doesn't have to. Healing is challenging but it is worth the effort. If you're ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with her today.
My counseling philosophy is grounded in a wide range of lived and learned experiences. I aim to support my clients through compass...
My counseling philosophy is grounded in a wide range of lived and learned experiences. I aim to support my clients through compassion, playfulness, and practicality to help them navigate the steps towards growth and resilience.
I am a resident in counseling with 2 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, mood concerns, trauma, identity exploration, relationship stress, and life transitions. I have experience working in inpatient and residential settings and provide care to individuals seeking clarity, coping skills, and emotional balance. I focus on helping clients understand patterns, develop practical tools, and create meaningful, sustainable change over time.
I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Lynchburg. My clinical approach is informed by cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and Adlerian therapy, along with other evidence-based and integrative techniques.
I strive to provide a calm, validating, and collaborative space where you feel heard and supported. Together, we will explore your experiences with compassion and curiosity while working toward goals that align with your values. You do not have to navigate this journey alone, and I would be honored to support you as you move forward.
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 dialectical behavior therapy is skills and education-based. I find the best benefit in using DBT is the tangible tools taught because clients are able to better build autonomy and agency when we understand why we feel the way we do, and what to do with those feelings so they don't become overwhelming. DBT has been so helpful for clients who have experienced feeling out of control or overtaken by intense emotions and feelings as it helps them to honor and feel emotions while using skills to keep them manageable.
I teach a lot of different tools in DBT, as it is most effective when the skills build off of each other—they overlap and reinforce one another. Some really beneficial tools I use early in sessions tends to be radical acceptance, urge surfing, ride the wave, TIPP, and ACCEPTS.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in DBT when they are able to notice changes on their own in between sessions, and when the client has been able to remember how to use skills organically and effectively.
Clients can supplement their time in DBT with journaling, mindfulness, and just being intentional with their thoughts and behaviors—boundary setting and communication also go a long way!
To prepare for their first dialectical behavioral therapy session, an individual can start journaling and keeping track of their mood. This helps to notice patterns and builds consistency that will support developing new cycles, habits, and skills.
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Lynchburg, VA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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