Therapy should be interactive and dynamic and this is generated from focusing on a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach with a strong grounding in Strengths Perspective. A variety of issues to include Depression and Anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, men's issues, and personality disorders are areas in which I have particular experience in treating. The relationship between therapist and client should be one of trust and competence and it should promote open communication and honesty for change to occur. My clinical experiences began in acute psychiatric treatment facilities and have taken me through a variety of environments and populations to include adolescents as well as adults. I feel the therapeutic relationship can produce change through hard work and guidance as well as creativity and persistence. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important foundations for change. The following information regarding Live Text Chat sessions is important ..please read over!!! Please take some time to read through the following guidelines. For optimal experience please be sure to have either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox installed as your browser or have the BetterHelp app on your mobile device. Please be sure to log into BetterHelp at the time of your appointment and remain on the therapy page - your therapist will initiate the live session. If your live session hasn't started even when you are logged in and are on the therapy page, message your therapist to let them know you are ready. Live sessions are usually 30 to 50 mins (please check with your therapist). Please be punctual so you can get the most out of your time with your therapist. If you need to cancel or reschedule your session, please do so up to 24 hours prior to your session start time. This will free up your therapist to help other members.

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 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with LGBT-related issues, trauma and abuse, & depression. 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 am licensed in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Texas with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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!

Hello! I am Mary Hales, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. I obtained my Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Medaille College in NY. I have over 15 years of experience in various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, residential settings, community-based agencies, and private practice. My specialties include anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, substance and other addictions, trauma, and abandonment, couples, and grief therapy, to name a few. I believe that each individual is unique, and it is important to address each client’s issues with an individualized personal approach, one that is relevant to the person and their current presenting problem. I approach counseling in a manner that empowers individuals to create positive change in their situations. My approach is to use a range of therapeutic modalities, to focus on the clients and their needs. I believe in creating a therapeutic relationship in which clients can feel safe while discussing and exploring their problems. Counseling should be considered a journey of personal exploration, which may lead to major changes in your life perspectives and decisions. It takes courage to take the first steps towards seeking this journey of personal exploration for a more fulfilling and happier life. So, if you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you to achieve your personal goals. I look forward to working with you!

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!

I have over 20 years of experience as a clinical social worker providing individual therapy for adults across the age spectrum. I have experienced with a diverse population with focus on life transitions issues of grief, aging and anxiety. I use an approach that includes working with a person's strengths and encouraging their capacity to change. I see clients and develope treatment goals and improve the quality of life in order to develop a more positive self-image and a more effective way of coping and decreasing stress.

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 Texas with 9 years of professional work experience. I am also licensed in Virginia! I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. Clients tell me I'm helpful, witty, intellectual, and caring. 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. Have you ever felt sad? Anxious? Nervous? lonely? Have you ever had severe racing thoughts? I have experience helping people who suffer from depression, anxiety, relationship issues, addiction related issues, grief/loss, and family/multicultural related issues.

Hi! My name is Robin Carver. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW since 2002. I come to this position with varied professional experiences. I completed an internship at a domestic violence shelter, provided intensive, in-home counseling to families for 1.5 years, worked on a mental health unit at a local hospital providing discharge planning, group work and conducted suicide assessments for 6 years. I spent 4.5 years working in a Therapeutic Day Treatment Program at both a middle school and elementary school (5 yo-18 yo), in which I offered a minimum of one hour of therapeutic intervention and support to children/adolescents, on a daily basis. I was in a supervisory role for the TDT Program and a School Based Outpatient Counseling Program for the last 11 years, supervising clinicians in these positions and providing supervision for their LPS/LCSW licensure. I also supervised an Intensive Care Coordination program, one of the most intensive therapeutic services available for youth, for 2 years. I have counseled adults and teens via the BetterHelp online platform since May 2022. These numerous experiences have helped me to grow in my professional development immensely as well as provided me with varied opportunities to develop and strengthen my clinical skills. I feel that building a strong and trusting relationship is the foundation to a successful therapeutic experience. Hence, that is the focus of my work, finding a way to join with you where you are in life. Being warm, kind, accepting, non-judgmental, listening and reflecting are core principles I utilize in counseling. Once a trusting relationship has been established, I will begin working with you to find strategies that will work to alleviate the various symptoms you may be experiencing. I find it extremely rewarding to help you identify your strengths and values, teach you coping skills and strategies to assist you in overcoming challenging situations in a positive way and being there for you in times of need. Sometimes, you just need a person to trust, someone who will listen to you, someone to be with you in your most difficult moments. I am humbled to have this opportunity and cherish each and every person with whom I have the opportunity to work. I believe that everyone is unique, strong and resilient and I enjoy being able to walk beside you in your journey of self-growth. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with you! Warmly, Robin Carver, LCSW

I am licensed in Ohio with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia with 15 years of offering counseling support. I have experience in helping clients of all ages and ethnicities struggling with attachment issues, depression and other mood disorders, suicidal ideation, insomnia and other sleep disorders, substance use and process addictions, anxiety disorders, phobias, agoraphobia, adjustment/transition difficulties, hoarding, burnout, military/veteran challenges, PTSD and complex trauma, personality disorders, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, narcissistic abuse recovery, and concerns related to aging and neurocognitive decline (i.e., suspected dementia) among other areas. I use cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotive behavioral therapy in session to promote client growth. Worksheets are used to help clients reinforce what is learned in session. Also, I hold specialized training in integrative mental health medicine, mindfulness practices, and somatic techniques designed to support clients managing anxiety, complex trauma, and hyperactivity. My passion is in helping people who feel held back by life’s challenges reclaim their resilience and take steps toward a more confident, purposeful future. I have extensive experience working with clients who are coping with life changes. Ultimately, 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. 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 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, & bipolar disorder. I also have experience working with depression. 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.

As a licensed therapist in Maryland, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping young adults, women, and caregivers work through challenging life experiences, including stress, relationship dynamics, trauma, and personal growth. My therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in understanding attachment, family systems, and individual resilience. I'm passionate about helping clients explore issues of identity, purpose, and healing—particularly around guilt, shame, and personal empowerment. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I create a compassionate space where clients can courageously examine their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for emotional well-being. With over a decade of clinical experience, I bring both professional expertise and genuine commitment to supporting individuals as they transform challenging life patterns and rediscover their inner strength. My work honors each person's unique journey, focusing on holistic healing and personal growth.