I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with over 8 years of experience in the mental health field. I have a Bachelors Degree in Health Psychology and a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling. I have worked with wide age range of client from children and adolescents to adults and geriatrics. I have experience working in a community based, agency based, inpatient psychiatric hospital based, and corrections. Over the year, I have worked with a variety of diagnosis to include: ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anti Social Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Bipolar I and II, just to name a few.
My counseling style is very warm and laid back. It is important that all clients know that they are the experts in the way that they feel, and I, as the therapist, am there to assist with processing and making sense of everything that is going on. My priority is establishing a trusting relationship so that a sense of trust can be built. Once trust is established, I feel that an individual is more receptive to disclosing information as well as being receptive to feedback. I primarily utilize a Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) approach to therapy. This approach supports the idea that there is a direct link between one's thoughts and their emotions and behaviors. It is the overall goal in therapy, to retrain our brain to re-frame or challenge those thoughts, so that overtime we will see changes in our emotions and behaviors.
I applaud you for taking the first step, and sometimes the hardest step to feeling better. This journey will not be easy, but it is my hope that you see me as a part of your team to assist you with working through your challenges. Remember, you are the captain of this team, I am along to assist with the directions. Together we will work together for a better you. I look forward to the journey.
**Practice Information: My online practice runs Monday thru Friday. I am also available for live sessions during the week, and most Saturday and Sunday mornings. You can expect, at a minimum, 1 response from me Monday- Friday. Response will be sent between the hours of 8am and 10pm. However, feel free to utilize the platform to send me any messages anytime. If you feel that a more immediate response is needed, please consider scheduling a live session. Please note, that I will not be able to respond to messages over the weekends or on Holidays. If the need arises, please feel free to schedule a video or chat session with me during one of the available time slots on Saturday or Sunday.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Lakeisha Swain. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Lakeisha Swain is a wise and God fearing counselor that listens and understands how you are feeling a quickly works to establish goals for your time together so you can see your progress. I felt both comforted and validated during our time together. Most of all, she reassured me that I am loved by God and that He hears me. Thank you. Lakeisha!
Written on Nov 03, 2020 after therapy with Lakeisha for 2 years and 1 month
Lakeisha is a very easy therapist to talk to. I was really looking forward to working with her but unfortunately she did not have the specific expertise for my needs. That being said, she explained this after our first meeting and attempted to find an alternate therapist. I would definitely recommend her.
Written on Apr 08, 2019 after therapy with Lakeisha for 2 weeks
She is super accommodating and makes me feel as though she truly understands what I'm going through. She has given helpful advice and even supplied me with exercises to try. I highly recommend her to anyone and everyone.
Written on Nov 08, 2018 after therapy with Lakeisha for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, and self esteem
Lakeisha truly takes the time to understand what I am trying to express and offers genuine, helpful feedback and advice. I feel really comfortable talking with her and look forward to her messages, as I know they will be reassuring and have some useful tips and tools for me to apply to my life.
Written on Oct 05, 2018 after therapy with Lakeisha for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Very fun and easy to talk to on the phone!
Written on Oct 03, 2018 after therapy with Lakeisha for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and parenting issues
Lakeisha is an attentive counselor with great insight and is very supportive.
Written on Oct 01, 2018 after therapy with Lakeisha for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and career difficulties