Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Newport News, VA

"I look forward to meeting you where you are and walking alongside you to help create your most authentic and whole self."

Emma Dowman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has served clients at child advocacy centers, public schools, a university counseling center, and a psychiatric hospital. Emma has experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, foster/adoption issues, trauma, and religious/spiritual issues. She enjoys working with clients of all ages: children, adolescents, and adults. 

Emma completed both her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services with a concentration in Counseling and her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling at Johnson University. She has a passion for collaborating with each individual to meet their needs while using a cognitive-behavioral, narrative, and solution-focused approach to counseling.

Emma seeks to create an empathetic relationship with individuals to build upon their coping skills and strengths so they can reach the goals they set for themselves and live the life they desire. She hopes to provide each individual with a grace-filled holistic healing opportunity and feels honored at the prospect of doing so.

Alise Lindsey is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has over 15 years of professional experience in the mental health field. Alise's professional experience has been diverse, allowing her firsthand experience with the courts, social services, foster care, community-based counseling, therapeutic day treatment counseling, inpatient, domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and perpetrators, substance abuse counseling, and mental health evaluations. When she's not working, Alise enjoys reading with her book club, writing, listening to music, going to concerts, and traveling with her family and friends. While she realizes the importance of connecting to clients, Alise is not comfortable utilizing her own ethnicity and experiences to do so.

Alise utilizes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach, aiding you in understanding how your thoughts impact your feelings and actions. Once you are able to understand the rogue messages your brain sends based upon past negative life experiences, you will be better able to control them. Alise also utilizes a person-centered approach, meeting you where you are; meaning we engage in activities and address concerns at a pace that is meant to help you, rather than overwhelm you. Although CBT is her preferred approach, Alise utilizes interventions from other theories that prove useful, as her purpose is to help you improve, therefore, she is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).

Counseling is a safe space to be your authentic self. It is an opportunity to enhance the skills you desire to improve your overall wellbeing and relationships with others. When working with Alise, you will understand you are in control of the process and her role is to facilitate progress. Ultimately, counseling is about you: your needs, your style of learning and growth. After your work together, you will be empowered, aware, and capable of maintaining your emotional and social wellbeing.

"As a woman with varied life experience, I understand the need to have a listening ear."

Brenda Naftel is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience. Brenda is passionate about helping young and older adults along their life journey. She has experience in anxiety, depression, domestic violence, couples, and grief.

Brenda completed her Master of Education (MEd) at Auburn Montgomery. She uses cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and sometimes dialectical behavior techniques as the basis for most sessions. 

Along life’s journey there are times we need someone to be there. Brenda would be honored if you would allow her to be with you on life’s challenging journey. She will be your sounding board and offer you coping techniques to help you along the way.

Jamie Bullock is a licensed professional counselor out of Virginia clinically certified in Trauma and EMDR certified who has over seventeen years experience in the mental health field. During this time she has provided therapeutic care to children, teens and adults. She has worked with clients seeking help for substance abuse issue’s, dual- diagnoses (mental health and substance abuse), anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, explosive disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, couples, families, sexual disorders, obsessive disorder, general life skills and specializes in trauma. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice at Drury University and her Master's of Counseling with a dual emphasis of marriage, family, children and mental health at Webster University.

Jamie utilizes a integrative/holistic, strength based, psychoanalysis/dynamic, Cognitive behavioral, Humanistic, Mindfulness, Trauma informed, solution, emotionally focused and EMDR approaches to therapy; maintaining creativity, flexibility and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual and couple.

Jamie seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist you with identifying the root of the issue, bring the implicit into the explicit and gain more awareness and interconnectedness between your brain and body in order to build skills to gain self awareness and esteem to work toward living a meaningful life.

"Life can be challenging and full of ups and downs. As a therapist and a human, I understand the importance of wanting to gain understanding and control of it. "

Crystal Bland is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) who has 13 years of experience in the mental health field. Crystal specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults who are coping with depression, anxiety, and general phase of life challenges. 

Crystal completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. At VCU, her desire to help became ignited as she assisted in many volunteer efforts to help others throughout the city. Crystal completed her master’s degree in Counselor Education; Mental Health at Old Dominion University. She began her professional journey in 2012 as a community-based counselor. Throughout that journey, Crystal gained experienced with mental health skill building, intensive in home, therapeutic day treatment, and outpatient therapy. She has served individuals in schools, community, and various juvenile detentions in the Hampton Roads Area.

 Crystal's theoretical approach is rather eclectic and integrative in general. However, person-centered could be considered the platform in which she practices. Crystal believes in creating a safe space for the client, creating an opportunity for them to be their authentic selves. Alongside person-centered practices, she may also use cognitive-behavioral approaches, solution-focused therapy, reality therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing when appropriate. Crystal believes that rapport is essential to the therapeutic process. She provides a safe, nonjudgmental space with openness and transparency. Crystal believes in empowering individuals so that they can take the driver seat of their lives. She would love to be your passenger.

 I believe that every individual can get through difficulties that arise in life and sometimes we need some help. I am passionate about providing a safe space for you to talk about your story.

Whether you are grieving the loss of a relationship, struggling to communicate to the important people in your life more effectively or you are unsure about how to build a stronger relationship with your child. With compassion and respect we will unearth what is getting in the way of what you want.

I use a personable and direct approach to provide solution focused counseling.

"I am a strong advocate of empowering my clients to be the best version of who they are in order to succeed and go far physically and mentally."

Kimberly Green is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (LPC, CSAC) in the state of Virginia with over 18 years of experience working in a variety of settings with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and veterans. 

Kimberly earned her Master's degree in Counseling from Norfolk State University and specializes in cognitive behavioral (CBT), behavior modification, client-centered, rational-emotive, family systems (FST), and brief solution-focused therapies (BSFT). She is a strong advocate of empowering her clients to be the best version of who they are in order to succeed and go far physically and mentally. Kimberly is also dedicated to instilling in her clients the need to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. 

Kimberly strongly believes in treating her clients with respect, fairness, and compassion. She'll help you learn to live your life as though it’s golden, making the rest of your life the best part of your life—and only comparing yourself to the person you were yesterday.

Pennie Hurta is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field. She is invested in assisting children, adolescents, adults, and couples to address a wide range of presenting issues and lead lives filled with hope and happiness. Pennie specializes in trauma, borderline personality disorder (BPD), major life transitions, anxiety, behavioral issues in children and adolescents, depression, and relationship issues

Pennie completed her Master's degree in Community Agency Counseling at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Pennie uses multiple treatment modalities including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solutions-focused therapy (SFT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), among others.

Pennie is confident that she would be able to support you on your journey to living your best life. She's eager to teach you new perspectives, new thought patterns, and new skills that allow you to manage everyday struggles and mental health symptoms. If you are ready to live your best life, schedule an appointment with Pennie today.

Mario Barnes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults who are coping with depression, anxiety, relationships issues, and major life transitions or challenges. He has had 9 years of experience working in the mental health field and also has a background in school social work enabling him to provide his expertise regarding the educational system. Mario received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Christopher Newport University and a Master of Social Work degree from Norfolk State University. He works well with individuals experiencing difficulties with identifying and regulating negative thoughts and emotions. Additionally, he works with families and couples experiencing relationship challenges as well as individual struggling with substance abuse.

Mario’s approach is rooted in bringing awareness to the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions using a number of different techniques tailored to each individual. He aims to help individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves at all levels, which can often lead to improved self-management and self-awareness. He strives to help individuals learn practical skills to incorporate into their everyday lives. Mario is skilled at tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs of each person he meets by drawing on their strengths to enhance their personal growth and empowerment.

Mario utilizes a Person-Centered approach to therapy, which allows for collaborative problem solving, questioning, and personal exploration. Additionally, he has strong foundations in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Choice Theory. Mario seeks to assist individuals in regaining power and regain control over their lives through personal accountability and evaluating choices, as he is a firm proponent for individuals’ right to self-determination. He believes in the power of unconditional positive regard, compassion, understanding, respect, and empathy.