Blog | Psychotherapist | Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Breaking the Stigma: Mens Mental Health Counseling in Glen Allen, Virginia. A Podcast Episode featuring Lee Hodges, LPC

In today's society, there exists a pervasive stigma surrounding men's mental health, often leading to the reluctance of men to seek professional support. However, it is crucial to normalize counseling for men and emphasize the significance of mental health care in promoting overall well-being. By addressing the societal barriers and misconceptions, men can be encouraged to prioritize their mental health without fear of judgment or shame. Seeking therapy offers numerous benefits for men, including improved emotional regulation, enhanced interpersonal relationships, and the development of effective coping strategies. For instance, a man struggling with anxiety or depression may find that therapy provides a safe space to explore and manage these emotions, leading to a more fulfilling life and better relationships with loved ones.

Resilience CounselingJanuary 31, 2024Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Finding Affordable Mental Health Support: Navigating Insurance Coverage for Counselors and Psychiatrists in Virginia

This article explores the importance of finding in-network counselors and psychiatrists that accept insurance in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen and Midlothian, offering tips on how to search for them, understand insurance coverage for mental health services, schedule appointments, explore online therapy options in Virginia, and access affordable therapy options.

Resilience CounselingJanuary 30, 2024Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Expanding Access to Mental Health Care: Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center Now In-Network with Molina Healthcare of Virginia

With offices in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen and Midlothian the in-network partnership between Molina Healthcare of Virginia and Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center is a significant step forward in providing expanded access to crucial mental health care services for Molina Healthcare members in Virginia. This collaboration offers a wide array of mental health services, including counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations and medication management, aimed at addressing various concerns such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, substance use, anxiety, grief, autism spectrum, bipolar disorder, and trauma/PTSD.

Resilience CounselingJanuary 29, 2024Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Empowering Mental Wellness: Dr. Antoinette Stewart's Telehealth Psychiatry Services for Children, Adolescent and Teen Psychiatry in Virginia

Dr. Antoinette Stewart is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist offering comprehensive psychiatric services, including medication management and telehealth evaluations, with a specialization in depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, general mental health concerns and eating disorders.

Now Accepting Medicare! Building Resilience: Accessing Medicare Mental Health Services at Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Starting January 1, 2024, Medicare will cover mental health care services provided by marriage & family therapists and mental health counselors for the first time.

RESILIENCE: A BUILDING INNER STRENGTH JOURNEY: EPISODE 5

Petitecha Wimbush is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She believes mental wellness can be achieved through medication management, therapy, and complementary/alternative treatment to improve the health of the mind-body connection. Petitecha is an Army veteran of 20 years and currently serves in the Army Reserve Nurse Corps. During her active duty nursing career, Petitecha worked in various areas of nursing, but her passion was mental health. She worked as a sexual assault medical forensic examiner. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the illustrious HBCU and Mecca, Howard University in 2012 and her Masters in Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University. Petitecha completed her clinical training at a Counseling practice providing medication management to the pediatric, adolescent, and adult population with multiple disorders. She also completed her training at a Community Service Board to patients across the lifespan. These services were also provided to individuals at the regional jail, group homes, and a crisis center providing medication management. Her areas of treatment for medication management are PTSD (including veterans), depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, child and adult ADHD, personality disorders and other mood disorders.

Now Open: Our New Stafford Office!

It’s Official! We’ve opened in Stafford County, Virginia. We continue our mission to expand access to quality mental healthcare. We look forward to serving a new community. #resilience #buildyourinnerstrength #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #wellness #staffordva

Resilience CounselingJuly 20, 2023Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Dr. Antoinette Stewart, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist has Joined Our Team!

We are excited to announce that Dr. Antoinette Stewart, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience providing medication management to children, adolescents and young adults ages 7+ has joined our team!

Resilience CounselingJuly 20, 2023Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

RESILIENCE: A BUILDING INNER STRENGTH JOURNEY: EPISODE 5

Resilience Podcast Episode 5: Sarah Spinner, LSISW

Sarah Spinner is a Supervisee in Social Work and obtained her Bachelor’s at Virginia Tech with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology and a Theatre Arts Minor. While studying at Virginia Tech, she interned at the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley helping survivors and their families who were fleeing domestic/sexual violence and human trafficking. This internship was the start for Sarah's social work career. From this internship, Sarah realized that she wanted to help and advocate for people of all genders and backgrounds. Pursuant to this goal she earned her Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention, and is a proud ally for LGBTQ+ communities. Right after graduating from Virginia Tech, Sarah then started graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University for her Masters in Clinical Social Work. In her first year of graduate school, Sarah was an intern for the YWCA of Richmond. At the YWCA of Richmond, her role was in case management and safety planning for emergency shelter families, assisting with housing & employment needs, and was an on-call RHART Advocate for domestic/sexual violence survivors at local hospitals. In her final year of graduate school, Sarah interned for CARITAS of Richmond as a community resource navigator for individuals in shelter and at the Richmond Federal Office for the Public Defender as a Sentencing Advocate. Post graduation, Sarah was a Case Manager and Therapist with Williamsville Wellness (Summit Hill)'s Smart IOP, Remote IOP programs, and assisted with their PHP program working with individuals undergoing substance use/gambling disorders. Throughout college and graduate school, Sarah was employed as a substitute teacher for Bright Horizons Family Solutions and worked with children ages 6 months to 12 years old. Sarah incorporates many sociological and social work theories to her practice including the strengths-based perspective, dialectical behavior therapy practices, expressive/direct play with children, and mindfulness training. Sarah feels that everyone is human and that it's normal to struggle with life challenges. "You are the driver in our sessions, and I am here to help and guide you through your journey." -Sarah

Resilience CounselingJuly 17, 2023

RESILIENCE: A BUILDING INNER STRENGTH JOURNEY: EPISODE 4

Resilience Podcast Episode 4: Kristina Bonanca, LPC

Kristina believes that everyone has a natural inclination toward positive growth and development, but that life's challenges can block forward movement. These challenges can take the form of depression, anxiety, traumatic events, losses, life transitions, difficulty controlling anger, and difficult relationships. Kristina understands that starting therapy can be an intimidating decision. She aims to provide a comfortable, supportive, and accepting environment in which to explore difficulties, obstacles, and strengths in order to make positive change Kristina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and specializes in working with children, teens, adults, and families. She has direct-care and supervisory experience in various levels of care including outpatient, therapeutic day treatment, and intensive in-home. Kristina has experience addressing a wide range of concerns, including depression, trauma, anxiety, social skills, and ADHD. Kristina encourages her clients to be active in their therapy, utilizing a variety of techniques to work with them and address their needs. Kristina does so to create a supportive environment for clients to help facilitate their own personal growth.

Resilience CounselingJuly 17, 2023

We are proud to welcome several new clinicians to the team!

We are proud to welcome several talented clinicians to our team!

-Kirsten Wachsmann, MS, Resident In Counseling (Midlothian)

-Elizabeth Audritsh, MSW, Supervisee In Social Work (Midlothian)

-Sheri Milbourne, LPC (Fredericksburg)

-Miosha Lamar, MA, Resident In Counseling (Stafford)

-Ashley Dalton, LCSW (Midlothian)

-Hannah Simmons, MSW, Supervisee In Social Work (Fredericksburg)

-Chanel Hudson, MSW, Supervisee In Social Work (Midlothian)

-Laura Cook, MA, Resident In Counseling (Midlothian)

-Edin Pajalic, MSW, Supervisee In Social Work (Midlothian)

-Carrie Sheehan, MSW, Supervisee In Social Work (Midlothian)

-Brittney Coleman, MS, Resident In Counseling (Fredericksburg)

Learn more about them here:

Mental HealthResilience CounselingJuly 17, 2023Counseling, Psychotherapy

Resilience: A Building Inner Strength Journey: Episode 3

The third Episode of our podcast features Joshua K. Taylor, LCSW. He discusses his journey that lead him to this profession and some of the interesting experiences he’s had along the way.

Resilience CounselingNovember 9, 2022Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Our Psychiatry and Medication Management Team continues to grow.

Samantha Moussari, PMHNP-BC offers psychiatry services at our Glen Allen, Virginia office.

RESILIENCE: A BUILDING INNER STRENGTH JOURNEY: EPISODE 2

Our second episode of our podcast features Katelyn Kiley, LPC. Katelyn discusses her journey to becoming a counselor and also gives a great discussion on EMDR.

Therapist Spotlight: Shaneka Owusu, LRIC

Shaneka Owusu is a Resident in Counseling working to obtain clinical hours in pursuit of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Resilience CounselingOctober 12, 2022Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Now Enrolling: Men's Grief Processing Group

Experience the support and benefits of Group Counseling. This group is focused on Men experiencing grief and loss. We are now enrolling interesting in participating in this group beginning on September 7th, 2022 and running for 8 consecutive weeks. TIME: 6PM-7PM WEEKLY ON WEDNESDAYS

Resilience CounselingAugust 18, 2022Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Resilience: A Building Inner Strength Journey: Episode 1

The first episode of our podcast features Robert Raborn, LPC. Rob is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 10 years of post-graduate field experience in Virginia. He received his B.S. from the University of Central Florida and his M.A in Clinical Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary (a CACREP Accredited Degree Program). His counseling experiences include home and school-based programs, outpatient, and clinical supervision of residents in counseling.

Resilience CounselingAugust 11, 2022Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

Rediscovering the Art of Conversation

Why are conversations important? How can I enhance my professional communication skills? How can I communicate more effectively with friends and family? How come developing my communication skills is important and why does it matter?

Coach's Circle Podcast: Featuring Karl G. Memmer, LPC

Last week I had the opportunity to discuss some ideas about the relationship between the counseling and coaching professions with Brandon Baker of Life Coach Path.

We discuss the similarities and differences between coaching and counseling, where they may intersect and how counselor’s and other mental health professionals might utilize coach’s as part of an interdisciplinary approach to supporting our clients.

Ready for The Journey: Getting the most out of therapy

Successful therapy cannot claim its definition within just a single concept; it is founded on a wonderful complexity, and is subjectively defined to the elements the client and therapist decide success to be.

Breaking addiction, overcoming grief/loss, championing confidence, deciding to trust again, and managing trauma make up just a few aspects needed to claim that success was achieved. In my practice, the initial mission is for us to quickly discover the swirl of goals waiting for you along the way of your therapy journey.