I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in helping people find solutions to their problems. Over the years, I have been told by clients that they really feel that I am listening to them and trying to understand what is going on in their lives and how they feel. Clients have also told me that they do not feel any sense of judgment, but rather that I accept them for who they are and where they are in their life’s journey. My style is empathetic and solution focused. I will spend time asking you questions in order to get to know you and try to find out what is at the heart of your issue. Together, we will talk about possible avenues you may want to take, or changes you may want to consider. I may give you some “homework” assignments…things to write out or think about, worksheets to complete, or even techniques/exercises to practice in your own time so that some of what we discuss in our sessions is reinforced. Most of all, I will be an objective listener, helping you to gain insight into what is going on with you, so that you are able to make the choices and changes you want to, in your own time. I look forward to working with you!

Hello! If you are exploring Better Help, it is likely that you are struggling with something significant in your life. Finding the right person to help you through these challenges is very important. If you don't have a good relationship with your counselor, you won't make the progress you are hoping to achieve. I want to provide you with some information about me in order to help you decide if my experience and style is the right match for you. I have been a social worker for more years than I care to admit! (more than 20) and have experience working with people from all different backgrounds who are struggling with a wide variety of challenges. My experience began in the Family Services arena working with challenges related to Abuse and Neglect and Foster Care and Adoption. I then transitioned into Crisis Social Work in an Inpatient Hospital Setting serving those with Serious Mental Illness and their Families. A significant part of my career has been spent with the Active Duty Military and Veteran populations. I specialized as a Trauma Therapist and have been working with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, adoption and foster care challenges and challenges of Caregiving. The feedback I receive from clients and co-workers is that they find me to be caring and nonjudgmental, and they appreciate that I am honest and direct with them. You can expect me to walk with you through whatever difficulties you are facing and help you learn more about yourself and the way you interact with the world. Currently, I have availability late in the day (ET); I can interact with you in whatever manner you are most comfortable. I find it helpful to participate in video sessions so that we can get to know each other better. I am also available to you via phone and text if that is more comfortable for you. I check messages several times during the day and will get back with you. I know how hard it can be to find a counselor with whom you feel a connection. I would be honored to work with you through this stage of your life.

Hello. My name is Goldie Marker Oakes, Licensed Professional Counselor, and I look forward to working with you. My professional clinical career began in 2006 providing treatment in the mental health field. My primary therapeutic modality includes a strong but eclectic therapeutic modality that incorporates a strong clinical perspective using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. If you are comfortable with this approach, I also use a holistic and Christian perspective using Mindfulness and Relaxation Therapy, prayer and scripture. My goal as your therapist is too help you find peace, joy, and happiness in life. My job is to help you learn how to overcome your life events, emotions and experiences that have caused you problems functioning normally, relating to others, or even finding motivation to continue on your life's path. My professional experience with both includes clinical approach with a Christian mindset that includes: • treating clinical concerns such as anxiety, social anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and other clinical concerns. • relationships • self-image, self-esteem, and efficacy • anger management and self-harm behaviors and impulse control My therapeutic approach often incorporates homework such as reading Christian literature or specific scripture, journal and self-reflective writing and practice of specific CBT and DBT strategies outside the clinical setting, at home, and in the community, all of which supports your growth and progress. My goal is for your growth to be internal as you move towards defining or redefining your relationship with Christ. This means a great deal of your progress requires your need to periodically evaluate your own progress through self-evaluation and self-reflection, in addition to my own clinical assessments with your progress. My goal as a counselor is to help you find peace, joy, and happiness in life as you learn to overcome those things in your life that have caused a loss of functioning individually or within the family dynamic. This path is not always an easy one; however, God promises us that we Never have to travel that path alone.

I am licensed in Virginia with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I’ve been in the human services field since 2000. I have provided services to children and youth, adults, and the elderly in county, in-patient, hospice, community-based and clinical agencies. I have worked with folks who have an array of issues including substance use disorders, grief and loss, abuse, trauma, parenting and family issues and change of life issues. Some of the diagnoses I have treated include: MDD, GAD, ASD, ADHD, ODD, DMDD, OCD, bi-polar disorders type I and II and personality disorders. My treatment approach is strongly oriented to CBT/ REBT, but the modalities are flexible and allow me to meet you in your journey to becoming a You who is more at peace with how you got to where you are and how you want to get to where you want to go on your way to a more fulfilling life. When you’re ready to begin that journey, I’ll be ready to support and empower you to take your next step forward. Hope to hear from you and take care.

Hello and thank you for reaching out, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Virginia who received my Bachelors and Master’s degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University (NSU) School of Social Work. I am a retired Chief Petty Officer with 20 years of active duty service, grew up in the Washington D. C. area who recognizes and embraces difference and ethnic diversity. I am well known for being an extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, and caring mental health professional who has worked with clients including active duty military and Veterans with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. My clinical experience includes the use of Solution Focus, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and other evidence-based theoretical models and perspective. My counseling style is warm, interactive but, straight forward. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I do not believe in stigmatizing labels. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. My goal is to provide World Class Service, collaborate, and empower you, the client, and build upon what is working for the client by using various therapeutic models and perspectives tailored to meet the clients individual and specific needs. I am here to support and assist you as you work towards reaching your desired goals. I look forward to working with you!

As a licensed therapist in Virginia with over two decades of professional experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice focuses on helping adults struggling with social anxiety, phobias, and substance use challenges. I bring a compassionate, evidence-based approach to addressing stress, anxiety, and substance misuse, creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. My commitment is to walk alongside you, offering guidance and understanding as you work towards healing and empowerment.

I am licensed in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia with over 9 years of professional work experience. I enjoy considering myself a Life Coach/Mentor and have experience in helping clients with Career Planning, Life stressors; as well as developing skills and strategies for coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & intimacy related issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Arizona,Oregon , Nevada and Virginia with 20+ years of professional work experience in national and international settings. I have experience in helping clients with depression, stress and anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, trauma, relationship challenges & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Virginia with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Virginia with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with motivation, self esteem, and confidence & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

As a licensed therapist in Virginia with over three decades of clinical experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions and emotional challenges. My practice focuses on helping clients address communication difficulties, feelings of isolation, life purpose exploration, and emotional healing from guilt and shame. I bring a compassionate and nuanced approach to working with adults experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction-related concerns. My therapeutic style is particularly attuned to midlife challenges, caregiver stress, and family dynamics. I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop meaningful insights, and cultivate personal growth. My commitment is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based guidance that honors each individual's unique journey. I believe in empowering clients to understand themselves more deeply and develop practical strategies for emotional well-being and personal transformation.

Life often brings uncertainty, difficult decisions, and periods of hardship—but you don’t have to navigate them alone. I work to provide a fresh perspective, thoughtful feedback, and compassionate guidance to help bring clarity and hope during challenging times. I have experience supporting individuals coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use. My approach is person-centered, solution-focused, and grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy, with techniques tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. I also incorporate EMDR to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences. With several years of experience, I strive to offer support that feels both meaningful and practical. I work collaboratively with clients to explore patterns, beliefs, or experiences they may be holding onto that could be hindering progress. Together, we identify new perspectives and tools that support lasting change and help clients move toward a more fulfilling life. I believe healing begins with feeling safe, seen, and understood. My goal is to create a warm, judgment-free space where clients feel comfortable sharing their stories openly. In this space, we work together to strengthen emotional and mental well-being and move toward a more balanced, satisfying life. I am fluent in both Spanish and English and am an intermediate-level Brazilian Portuguese speaker. Having been born and partially raised in the Dominican Republic and having lived in Curaçao and Brazil, I bring a strong sense of cultural awareness and sensitivity to my work. I am committed to incorporating diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of care and to making mental wellness accessible to those who seek it. While I hold a Christian worldview, I fully respect each client’s individual beliefs and work collaboratively within their personal framework to support healing and growth.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience providing therapy and case management across inpatient psychiatric, substance use, and community-based settings. I work with individuals navigating severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and life stressors, and I bring a strong foundation in assessment, treatment planning, and clinical collaboration. My therapeutic approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helping clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, build effective coping skills, and create meaningful change. I aim to provide a supportive, culturally responsive space where clients feel understood and empowered in their healing process. Outside of the therapy room, I am a marathon runner, a practice that strongly influences my therapeutic approach. Distance running has taught me the importance of consistency, patience, and resilience—qualities that are just as essential in mental health work as they are in training for a race. I often encourage clients to view therapy as a process rather than a quick fix, honoring progress one step at a time.