Meet Our Friendly,
Compassionate Counselors & Staff

We are passionate about providing professional services to our diverse families, and it starts with us! Our team comes from a wide variety of educational, ethnic, and family backgrounds and is ready to support you in your mental health journey from individual counseling to marriage and family therapy.

Read through our bios to get to know us better. When you schedule a consultation call, we’ll ask if you have a preference for your counselor or help you find one that fits you and your family’s needs. If you decide later that this team member just isn’t a good fit for you, we can help you make a switch.

Counselors Serving Our Residents in District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland

Ashlee Abney

LCSW
Virtual Therapist

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Ashlee Abney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 12 years of experience providing mental health treatment for families and individuals. Ashlee earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 and received a Master of Social Work Degree from George Mason University in 2013.

Ashlee’s passion for helping and has experience working with families address postpartum anxiety and depression as they transition to the next stage of new life. Over the years, Ashlee has developed specialized skills to work with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, grief and loss, marriage counseling, family conflicts, trauma, and crises.

Given the challenges posed by the pandemic for supportive counseling, Ashlee understands the need to have a healed sense of self to address the ever-changing world. By utilizing strengths-based client-centered treatment, with cognitive-behavioral techniques, Ashlee believes stabilization can be accomplished.

Accepting clients living in Virginia; accepting the following insurance companies: accepting Anthem BCBC, Carefirst BCBS, Optum/United Healthcare, Cigna/Evernorth and self pay clients at this time

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Kim Folden

LCSW
Virtual Therapist

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Kimberly Folden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 22 years of experience providing mental health treatment for families and individuals. Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Radford University in 1998 and received a Master of Social Work Degree from Radford University in 2001.

Kim has a great passion for helping others and has experience working with individuals and families to address grief, anxiety, depression, and traumas as they transition to the next steps in living a healthier and happier life. Over the years, Kim has developed specialized skills to work with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, grief and loss, family counseling, family conflicts, PTSD, and other forms of trauma.

Kim understands the need to have a healed sense of self to address the ever-changing world. Kim utilizes a strengths-based client-centered approach, trauma-informed treatment, and cognitive-behavioral techniques with her clients to promote healing and wellness.

Accepting clients living in Virginia; accepting the following insurances: only accepting Optum/United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna/Evernorth

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Elizabeth Griles

LCSW
Virtual Therapist

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Elizabeth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a heart for meeting you where you are in life- geographically, and therapeutically. She obtained her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She has certifications in Motivational Interviewing and Problem-Solving Therapy, and has a growing interest in psychoanalysis and life review.

With over 5 years of diverse practical and clinical experience, Elizabeth has served children, adolescents, adults, and families to meet a wide array of needs including: depression, anxiety, life transitions and adjustments, child and adolescent behavioral issues, trauma, abuse, grief and loss.

As a Clinical Social Worker, you can expect Elizabeth to uphold her professional and personal values of service to others, worth and dignity of every person, competence and integrity, and recognizing and honoring the importance in human relationships.

Only accepting clients in Virginia; accepting the following insurances: Carefirst, Federal Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Cigna

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Mona Britt

LCSW
Virtual Therapist

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Mona Britt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 16 years of experience providing mental health counseling treatment to adults and teens. Mona earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from Old Dominion University in 2005 and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University in 2011.

Mona loves working with individuals to help them obtain knowledge and tools to manage symptoms of grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Since starting her career, Mona has worked with veterans and adults in multiple settings.

Mona is dedicated to helping her clients develop the skills and tools they can use in real-life situations. Mona uses cognitive-behavioral techniques because It works. It makes Mona very happy to hear clients talk about how they were able to remember to apply something learned in therapy to resolve situations outside of treatment.

Accepting clients living in Virginia; accepting the following insurances: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Optum/United Healthcare.

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Cheryl Torpey

LCSW-C
Virtual Therapist

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Cheryl Torpey is licensed in Clinical Social Work in Maryland and has over 25 years of experience in counseling in a wide range of issues. She graduated from Salisbury State University with her Bachelors in Social Work with minors in Psychology and Art. She earned her Master's degree was from the University of Maryland Professional School of Social Work in Baltimore in 1997.

Cheryl has extensive experience working with adults from various backgrounds dealing with many issues. These issues include (but are not limited to) end-of-life care, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, and PTSD. She uses cognitive behavior techniques (CBT) and pulls from various other modalities in working with clients.

Cheryl is a kind and compassionate therapist who works collaboratively with her clients on accomplishing their own goals for personal growth. Cheryl works with people holistically, body, mind, and spirit, recognizing that each part plays a role in optimal functioning in life. She desires each person to find their purpose and make their unique mark on their world and relationships.

Accepting clients living in Maryland; accepting the following insurances: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Optum/United Healthcare.

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Amanda Lewis

LPC
Virtual Therapist

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Amanda Lewis has worked with individuals from various backgrounds but has a special place in her heart for the youth and women. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia State University in 2009, Amanda earned a MA in Community Counseling from Regent University in 2013. Amanda seeks to use her history of working in community programs, crisis centers, hospitals, schools, and the prison system to assist individuals and families in the healing process.

Amanda is passionate about helping those who have experienced depression, trauma, abuse, anxiety, bullying, and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. She also has experience working with clients on grief and loss, coping with medical ailments/illnesses, career and job-related stress, LGBTQIA+ matters, and eating disorders.

Amanda is a compassionate, kind, empathetic, supportive, creative, and non-judgmental therapist. Her goal is to work with clients on improving their quality of life as a whole.

Accepting clients living in Virginia; accepting the following insurances: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Optum/United Healthcare

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Nephetia Whittaker

LPC
Virtual Therapist

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Nephetia is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over ten years of experience providing mental health care for individuals. Nephetia earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2012.

Nephetia’s theoretical approach is based on the belief that clients are in charge of their counseling experience so that treatment is individualized. Nephetia uses an integrative therapeutic approach, including CBT, Person-Centered, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Nephetia enjoys being able to help others reach their goals and feel more emotional stability overall. She has experience assisting and supporting clients to overcome and cope with depression, anxiety, grief, issues specific to women, low self-esteem, and anger.

Nephetia is a compassionate and affirming therapist who strives to provide a safe and judgment-free space for clients to express themselves and utilize their strengths to achieve their goals. Decreasing negative symptoms and helping each client live healthier lives is the ultimate goal. Building a strong therapeutic rapport with clients and her ability to empathize with them on issues they are dealing with daily are her most vital qualities.

Accepting clients living in Virginia; accepting the following insurances: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Optum/United Healthcare

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Holly Hartson, PhD

Clinical Psychologist
Virtual Therapist

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Holly Hartson has been a licensed clinical psychologist for 20 years, with training in interpersonal therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, with a trauma-informed approach. She received her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Louisville, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Holly practices a therapeutic approach that is centered on the needs and strengths of each client as an individual. She has experience working with adults, teens, and children who are experiencing a range of difficulties including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, and family conflict. Holly’s goal is to help clients cope with daily stress and obstacles and find healthy strategies to become the best version of themselves they envision.

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Shakara Thomas

LMSW
Graduate Therapist

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Shakara Thomas is an LMSW (supervised by Kim Folden) with over seven years of experience providing mental health treatment for individuals and families. Shakara earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from Saint Augustine’s University in 2013 and a Master of Social Work Degree from Norfolk State University in 2019.

Shakara is passionate about helping individuals and families as they go through different life experiences that may bring on challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma to assist them on their journey of healing and finding peace. Over the years, Shakara has developed skills to work with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, co-occurring disorders, learning disabilities, trauma, and crises.

Shakara is a compassionate, non-judgmental therapist who is dedicated to assisting her clients in developing skills so they can heal, make peace with what has happened, and have tools to use in future situations. Shakara uses cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatment modalities to assist clients in improving their state of well-being.

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Marianne Redmond Lopez

LCSW
Virtual Therapist

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Marianne Redmond Lopez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 30 years of experience. Marianne earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from Mary Washington University in 1993 and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1996.

Marianne is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She is working on certifications as a Personality Disorder Specialist, Sex Treatment Professional, and Trauma Therapist. She specializes in working with individuals, couples, and groups, focusing on the treatment of victims of abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss, borderline personality struggles, marriage or interpersonal relationship problems, daily life pressure/problems, peer pressure, bullying, mood disorders, first responders, helping professions, low self-esteem among other issues.

Marianne Redmond Lopez describes herself as a down-to-earth therapist with a good sense of humor. She is a solution-focused psychotherapist who aims to help others uncover their true potential and move forward confidently toward all their goals.

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Meet Our Friendly, Compassionate Counselors & Staff

Counselors Serving Our Residents in District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland

Meet Our Friendly,
Compassionate Counselors & Staff