Find a Therapist in Richmond, VA

Scott Mates is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist, and an adept SandPlay Therapist who is dedicated to guiding individuals of all ages on their journey towards personal growth. His passion lies in helping clients uncover a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. With a profound appreciation for each person, Scott joins his clients on their unique paths to wholeness, fostering a strong connection that promotes comfort and support. He creates a safe, nurturing, and trusting environment in which clients can freely share their stories. Scott combines traditional talk therapy with expressive, creative, and playful methods, inviting a more profound exploration of life's narratives. By employing symbolism, metaphor, imagery, and self-expression, he opens numerous healing pathways that resonate both internally and externally. His approach is deeply rooted in mindfulness and compassion, enabling clients to find presence in their experiences—both joyful and challenging—and to cultivate self-friendliness and understanding during difficult times. Scott's diverse modalities, including Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Humanistic approaches, reflect his ability to connect with clients on multiple levels.

Christa Benton, a licensed professional counselor with a PhD, LPC, NCC, and CTMH, is dedicated to guiding individuals and families towards healthier and happier lives. With a strong passion for advocacy, she skillfully supports her clients as they navigate their unique challenges and achieve successful outcomes. Christa believes in the importance of making everyone feel seen and heard, meeting her clients exactly where they are in their life journeys. She tailors each session to meet the unique needs of her clients, providing the appropriate support to empower them to make choices that lead to positive changes. Infusing authenticity, humor, and trust into her therapeutic approach, Christa fosters strong working relationships with her clients, ensuring a sense of safety during sessions. She is enthusiastic about beginning this journey with her clients and appreciates their openness and trust in the therapeutic process, acknowledging that it can be challenging yet transformative.

Kimberly Hines is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist dedicated to her life’s work of facilitating healing in others. With extensive experience in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families, she specializes in issues such as adoption, foster care, sexual abuse, complex trauma, PTSD, attachment, depression, anxiety, and grief and loss. Kimberly is passionate about her commitment to children, adolescents, and their families, practicing from a strengths-based perspective. Her therapeutic approach seamlessly integrates psychodynamic, trauma-focused, crisis intervention, and family systems therapy. As a Registered Play Therapist, Kimberly incorporates various techniques such as sandtray therapy, expressive arts, bibliotherapy, narrative therapy, and Filial therapy into her practice, and she is certified in Theraplay. Kimberly brings trust, honor, respect, humor, and authenticity to the therapeutic process, welcoming individuals and families to embark on their own healing journeys.

Kendra Armstrong is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional who understands the unpredictability of life and how it presents unique challenges that can impact individuals' thoughts and behaviors. With a strong belief in the universality of stress responses, she prides herself on her ability to provide a nonjudgmental therapeutic environment filled with genuine empathy. Kendra is passionate about empowering clients to learn adaptive coping skills. Her expertise includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and trauma-informed care, enabling her to assist clients as they navigate feelings of anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, thought distortions, and self-harmful thoughts or behaviors. Kendra's overarching goal is to support clients in their journey towards living their best lives.

Blaine Atkisson, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), understands the intricate journey of emotional growth in adults. He often draws a parallel between emotional and physical development, highlighting that while physical growth is a natural process, emotional growth requires deliberate guidance and nurturing. Many individuals may experience disruptions in their emotional development, leaving them to navigate relationships and uncertainties without the necessary emotional intelligence. In his practice, Blaine specializes in supporting individual adults and couples as they work towards establishing healthy boundaries, enhancing self-advocacy, and mastering effective communication skills. Through his attachment-based, integrative, psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), and dialectical behavior (DBT) therapies, he aids clients in skillfully navigating life transitions, anxiety, and conflict. Blaine's approach is rooted in the belief that genuine understanding comes from personal experience, and he meets every client with compassion and without judgment, committed to guiding them toward emotional fullness and resilience.

Christy Austin, MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and therapist committed to helping adult clients navigate a variety of challenges, including identity, relationships, and stress/anxiety. With a profound understanding of both traditional and non-traditional couples, she addresses communication issues while nurturing love, care, trust, and respect, and works diligently to restore harmony in relationships. Christy's strengths-based, proactive approach to therapy not only facilitates healing but also equips clients with lifelong skills and a strong sense of self-worth. Her areas of specialty encompass relationship issues, managing emotions, women’s issues, LGBTQ+ concerns, and substance use disorders. Highly experienced in facilitating groups and working with individuals and couples, Christy Austin embodies a compassionate, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed approach to therapy, assisting clients in achieving their wellness goals.

Sandra Bandas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 20 years of dedicated experience in helping adults navigate difficult times at work, home, and in relationships. She understands that feelings of overwhelm, nervousness, and anxiety can be challenging to confront, and she is committed to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for every individual. Sandra employs a variety of therapy types, including Culturally Sensitive, Trauma Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help clients uncover the hidden meanings behind their emotions. With a holistic approach that focuses on the whole person—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental—she assists clients in overcoming barriers related to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and mental health challenges. Sandra values the journey of self-discovery and personal strength, meeting clients where they are in the counseling process. There is hope for improvement and healing, and she provides the tools needed for personal growth and resilience.

Simone Barnes is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Virginia, bringing over 12 years of experience in supporting children and adolescents in navigating their emotional landscapes. With a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Union University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University, Simone has honed her skills in various therapeutic techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and narrative therapy. Her passion lies in guiding individuals towards transforming their mindsets, fostering personal growth, and becoming their best selves. Simone values the importance of establishing trusting relationships to empower her clients in achieving their life goals and enhancing their interpersonal connections.

Kathleen Bingaman, LCSW, is a compassionate clinical social worker and therapist who creates a warm and accepting environment for adults from diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and identities. Her approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that meaningful progress arises from an authentic therapist-client relationship combined with well-honed clinical techniques. Clients will consistently experience the 'real' Kathleen in their sessions, fostering confidence in their journey towards personal growth. Kathleen is validating, attentive, and intuitive, serving as a guide through the therapeutic process. She is particularly well-suited for clients eager to explore the connection between their past and present while building a toolkit of strategies to thrive, rather than merely survive. Utilizing a therapeutic orientation rooted in attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology, Kathleen understands that suffering does not occur in isolation and that sustainable healing is achievable. She employs a balance of unstructured 'talk' therapy alongside more structured, technique-driven interventions, empowering her clients to enhance their coping skills, connect with their inner wisdom and unique strengths, and facilitate transformative changes in both perspective and behavior.

Jennifer Biton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) serving clients in Florida and Virginia, bringing over 17 years of dedicated experience in the mental health field across various settings. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Known for her ability to utilize several person-centered, evidence-based practice modalities, Jennifer expertly guides clients in exploring their challenges and achieving life balance. Understanding the vulnerability that comes with seeking help, she embodies a supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate approach that fosters a safe space for clients to open up and embrace their true selves. With a diverse and in-depth career background, she customizes treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each individual. Jennifer encourages those struggling to find balance in their lives to seek the meaningful support they deserve.

Liz Blankenship, LCSW, is a compassionate therapist specializing in guiding adults through the intricate challenges of parenting, relationships, and the stressors of adult life in today's fast-paced world. She understands that parenting and managing relationships can often feel overwhelming, especially in the context of a pandemic, leaving individuals feeling mentally and physically drained. Many have experienced the struggle of sleepless nights and morning anxiety, where getting out of bed can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Liz offers a supportive and safe environment where her clients can express their thoughts and feelings freely. Together, they will develop manageable and sustainable strategies for coping with life's demands. Liz is eager to meet her clients and help them navigate through the never-ending maze of their everyday experiences.

Felicia Bowman Chandler is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, specializing in supporting adults navigating challenges such as depression, trauma and PTSD, and self-esteem issues. She offers a nurturing space for individuals to heal and truly be themselves. Through her expertise in mindfulness-based therapy, compassion-focused approaches, somatic practices, and cognitive behavioral therapy, Felicia empowers her clients to overcome trauma, manage anxiety and depression, and shift away from self-criticism towards self-compassion and self-love. With a passion for working with millennial women of color, she is particularly attuned to the unique pressures of navigating life transitions, stress, and workplace trauma. Felicia's collaborative and culturally-sensitive approach ensures that each client's treatment is personalized, creating a confidential environment where they can unpack their emotions and prioritize inner healing. With over a decade of experience working with Black women and women of color, Felicia confidently utilizes various therapeutic approaches, including Trauma-Focused CBT, Person-Centered Theory, and Solution-Focused strategies. Her practice incorporates mind-body techniques and mindfulness, fostering a holistic journey toward healthier relationships with oneself through radical self-love.

Kathy Bryant, MS, CPNP-PC, FNP-BC, is a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner qualified to practice in both pediatric and family healthcare. With her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Post Master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, Kathy brings a wealth of experience to her practice. Her professional background includes inpatient mental health, a mother-infant unit, pediatric primary care, nursing instruction, and precepting nurse practitioner students, as well as working in outpatient psychiatry treating adolescents and adults. Kathy has significant expertise in the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, catering to clients from pediatric to adult age groups. She is particularly passionate about supporting mental health in the context of infertility challenges, pregnancy, and postpartum issues. In her approach, Kathy emphasizes not only medication management but also offers guidance on lifestyle changes, nutrition, and counseling services to enhance overall well-being.