Hi, my name is Menzo Faassen. I received my B.S. in Psychology in 1999 from Middle Tennessee State University and I received my M.S. in Community Counseling from Austin Peay State University in 2009. I got my initial hours for my licensure in a community mental health center. My experience there gave me skills and abilities to work with a wide variety of people and issues. I go my first counseling license in Tennessee in 2015. I was licensed previously in New Mexico and Kentucky. Currently, Virginia is the only state where I am actively licensed. Due to telehealth laws, if you are not physically in the state of Virginia during a session, we will have to reschedule. I work full time in Richmond, Virginia (moved here in January of 2022). I work in an outpatient clinic in the Richmond, VA area. I have worked in a variety of therapy settings including outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Residential Substance Abuse, and Partial Hospitalization. I have worked with clients with a variety of issues but my areas that I am most adept at are trauma, addiction, depression, grief/loss and LGBT issues. I am also a proud member of the LGBT community. My approach to therapy starts out with the basic Rogerian (person centered approach). But, I also incorporate Psychodramatic techniques into my therapy (I can only do this in video sessions). Psychodrama was created by J. L. Moreno and seeks to use a persons creativity and spontaneity in the healing process. Some techniques from this method include doubling (helping you speak your unspoken truth), role techniques (role play, role taking, and role reversal) and empty chair. I'm also fluent in cognitive behavioral therapy and utilize the unconditional positive regard of Carl Rogers. I start where you are. I believe that you are the expert on you and that this is your therapy not mine. The methods and techniques I use will be guided by what you want out of therapy as a whole and what you want out of each session. A few things to be aware of: 1. While you can send messages to me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you will not get an immediate response. BetterHelp is not a crisis line or appropriate for crisis situations or situations where you need an immediate answer. My work for BetterHelp is a part time, weekend structure. So, if you send me a message during the week you may not get an answer until the evening (between 7 PM and 10 PM Eastern Time in the US) or on Saturday or Sunday. If you need someone with more availability, you should chose a different therapist as I will not be able to meet your needs. 2. Prior to beginning therapy I request that you send me your home address and phone number. If you prefer you can send a copy of a photo ID. I request this information for a few reasons. The first is so that if there is an emergency (you present with a plan to hurt yourself or somebody else, or I suspect there is child abuse involved) I can alert the authorities in your location. It is also my ethical duty to assure that I am licensed to provide services in the state you reside. 3. Sending messages back and forth is fine, but you will get more value out of BetterHelp if you schedule a live chat, phone or video session with me. You can do that by selecting the schedule session on the right hand side of the screen. 4. As I said in section 1, the techniques and methods I use will be informed by the goal you have. I will start each session with the question "What do you want to get out of our time today?" Based on that information, I will gear my methods to accomplishing that goal for that session. As I said earlier, I do use Psychodrama techniques. I may have you using a chair or an object to "stand in" for a person or part of you. I may have you take the role or and speak from the role of that person or part. This may involve moving. So, when you meet with me, it is important that you have an idea of what you want to work on, be in a quiet private place and in a space that allows for some degree of movement. I realize that the first few sessions will be getting to know each other and me getting some background information. We will not be working on traumatic issues or a lot of deep work in the first session. 5. The more information I have about you the better. So, in way of introduction, some things you may want to share include (your childhood information, any traumatic events, previous relationships, current relationships, work history, family background/relationships, your previous therapy experience, etc.). In other words, use the first message to give me the autobiography of you. I have been in counseling myself and know how scary it can be to enter into the process and I try to make this as comfortable as possible. I look forward to walking with you as you begin this journey of healing and transformation.

I am a licensed counselor in Idaho, Virginia, and Florida with 21 years of experience. I have a strong background in trauma, secondary traumatization, depression, military members, PTSD/anxiety, TBI, different cultures, LGBTQ, and those who have experienced disaster. I use a cognitive-behavioral approach combined with other theories that will be tailored to your specific needs. I have worked with clients who just need a bit of guidance to those who have much more complicated needs. I consider it a privilege to work with people through difficult and/or painful issues that maybe they have never told anyone about. I specialize in being present with clients as we explore new methods for generating a healthier balanced life. I have experience working with clients in the medical field, military, law enforcement, and fire departments. I am outgoing and easy to talk to. I believe that everyone can benefit from counseling at some point in their life. I especially enjoy assisting people with creating a balance in their lives and balancing stress with relaxation and mindfulness. I look forward to meeting with you to explore the possibilities of creating a more balanced and less stressful life.

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.

As a licensed therapist in Utah, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on creating a compassionate, affirming space for clients exploring challenges related to mental health, relationships, identity, and personal growth. I bring extensive expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, and LGBTQ+ experiences. My approach is deeply client-centered, focusing on helping individuals develop self-love, improve communication, overcome isolation, and discover meaningful life purpose. With a commitment to understanding diverse experiences, I offer supportive guidance for young adults, veterans, multicultural populations, and individuals facing workplace challenges, sexual health concerns, and relationship dynamics. My therapeutic style emphasizes empathy, respect, and collaborative healing, helping clients build resilience and authentic connections. I'm dedicated to supporting individuals through life transitions, helping you develop stronger coping strategies, heal from past experiences, and move toward greater emotional well-being.

I've earned a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration with a 4.0 GPA. I have an Educational Specialist Degree as well as a Masters in Counseling and Educational Administration. I am a national board certified counselor with an extensive background working with clients who have experienced trauma. I am a Licensed Professional Counseling Supervisor. I have over twenty-nine years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a range of concerns. I have worked approximately ten years as a Psychologist/Qualified Mental Health Professional for a local state hospital where individuals receiving services received inpatient treatment from active delusions, paranoid ideations, schizophrenia, and a range of mood disorders. As a Program Director for an outpatient clinic for seven years, there were opportunities to work with adolescents and children with diagnoses such as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, as well as working with adults facing problems with alcohol and drug usage, unmanaged anger, generalized anxiety, and clinical depression. Other years in my career allowed me to provide a service to children and their families both at a school level and local social service agencies.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 37 years of experience. I have worked in a wide variety of settings and with a wide variety of issues. Many of my focus areas have been mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and trauma issues. I have been a clinical supervisor for several decades and utilize a recovery approach to my work. I work in a private group practice that work on a variety of issues including life adjustment and coping with stress. I have been a consultant doing trainings and program development. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and issues.

As a licensed therapist in Florida,Georgia, Colorado and Virginia, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My approach centers on helping clients develop resilience, self-understanding, and meaningful personal growth. I have extensive experience addressing challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions, with a particular focus on men's mental health and spiritual well-being. My therapeutic practice is grounded in compassionate, evidence-based strategies that honor each individual's unique journey. I work collaboratively with clients to explore underlying patterns, build healthy coping mechanisms, and reconnect with personal strengths. Whether you're struggling with social anxiety, processing past experiences, or seeking greater life purpose, I'm committed to creating a supportive, non-judgmental space for healing and transformation. Drawing from a Christian-informed perspective, I aim to integrate spiritual insights with professional clinical approaches. My goal is to help you develop deeper self-love, improve communication skills, and move through challenging life phases with greater confidence and clarity.

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 serving Massachusetts and Virginia, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My approach centers on creating a compassionate, affirming space where clients can explore their unique challenges and strengths. I have extensive experience working with diverse populations, with a particular focus on addressing stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship dynamics. My therapeutic practice is deeply rooted in understanding individual experiences, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals, those struggling with social anxiety, and people working through life transitions. I'm committed to helping clients develop self-love, improve communication, and overcome feelings of isolation or disconnection. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I support clients in addressing a wide range of concerns—from workplace stress and interpersonal challenges to personal growth and healing. My goal is to empower you to build resilience, gain insight, and create meaningful change at your own pace. I approach each therapeutic relationship with genuine empathy, respect, and a belief in your inherent capacity for growth and transformation. Together, we'll work collaboratively to help you navigate your unique journey toward emotional well-being.

I am licensed in Virginia with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, coping with life changes and the aging process. My approach to therapy is based on the individual needs of each client. I use an eclectic style based upon the identified needs. My style is a good fit for all ages of adults with a lot of experience working in the older adult population. 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. My communication style is calm, personable and comforting.

I am licensed in Virginia with 8 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 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, I bring four decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My approach centers on understanding each person's unique journey, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. I'm deeply committed to helping clients navigate challenging life transitions, from workplace stress and relationship difficulties to personal growth and healing. My therapeutic style emphasizes creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their experiences, develop resilience, and rediscover their inner strength. My practice focuses on a wide range of concerns including social anxiety, attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic health challenges, and women's mental health. I draw from evidence-based approaches to support clients in developing healthier coping strategies, improving communication, and fostering meaningful personal transformation. Every person's path to wellness is different, and I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and professional guidance as you move toward greater emotional well-being.

As a licensed therapist in Virginia with years of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals, couples and families navigating difficult emotional issues. My practice focuses on addressing depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, substance abuse and relationship and personal growth challenges. I am particularly passionate about helping clients develop self-esteem, improve communication skills, and overcome social problems. After several years as a high school teacher I returned to school for training as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to broaden my abilities and skills in helping individuals and families. My therapeutic approach centers on empowering individuals to explore their inner strengths, heal from past experiences, and create meaningful connections. I work closely with clients experiencing , workplace stress, family challenges, and issues related to self worth and personal identity. With a deep commitment to understanding each person's unique journey, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop resilience, and cultivate a more fulfilling life. My goal is to guide individuals toward greater self-understanding, emotional balance, and personal empowerment.

As a licensed therapist serving Colorado and Virginia, I specialize in supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating complex emotional landscapes. My clinical focus centers on helping clients work through stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, and trauma-related experiences. I have developed expertise in addressing communication difficulties, social anxiety, mood disorders, and issues specific to young adults, military veterans, and first responders. My therapeutic approach is compassionate and collaborative, designed to help clients develop resilience, improve interpersonal skills, and cultivate healthier emotional patterns. I understand that each person's journey is unique, and I'm committed to providing personalized support that honors individual experiences and strengths. Whether you're struggling with relationship conflicts, processing traumatic experiences, or seeking strategies to manage anxiety and stress, I'm dedicated to creating a supportive environment where meaningful healing and personal growth can occur.