Welcome to
Life Works Professional Counseling
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Crystal Myers
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, EdS
As a non-traditional student, I received a BS in Psychology from Bridgewater College, a small liberal arts college in Virginia. My dedication to my studies and my passion to learn the science and biology of psychology was recognized by my professors who awarded me the Donald R. Witters, PhD, Psychology Department Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.
I earned a Masters in Community Counseling and EdS from James Madison University. While there, I was awarded the Graduate Psychology Teaching Assistant Award.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​I use an integrative approach to working with clients struggling with a wide range of symptoms that impact their relationship with themselves, the people they care about, and affects and interrupts their ability to engage in life in ways that they would like.​​
​I primarily use a client centered approach that includes strength-based, attachment focused, and emotionally supportive and empathetic interventions to help clients co-create and achieve the safety needed to explore upsetting experiences and work on shifting long standing patterns to new ways of experiencing and responding.
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I’m trained in and use Trauma Focused CBT and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I’m exclusively taking new clients for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.
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I deliver KAP in my practice in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical, which has a specialized medical team that determines eligibility for KAP, prescribes the ketamine, and supports us in monitoring outcomes. If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail us at to discuss eligibility and next steps. Lean more here.
As a Journey Clinical KAP Provider, I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)—the use of ketamine as a complement to psychotherapy.
Even if you've been struggling for many years, there IS hope.
Crystal Myers, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
I am trained in evidenced based interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectial Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and use these in my work when appropriate. My main focus is in DBT, an approach that can increase mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I am also certified in EMDR, a proven trauma treatment that can help build a sense of safety, identify and change beliefs that are harmful, and to become less stuck in past pain.
Amy Kennel
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MS
I joined Lifeworks Professional Counseling in May 2019 to help and support people going through a variety of problems. Since 2005, I have worked in community mental health settings where I did individual and group counseling, and conducted intake assessments. I received a BA in Art Therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. I received my MS in Mental Health Counseling from Longwood University in Farmville, VA, with honors from the Counseling and Education departments. I was also a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society for Counselor Educators.
The foundation to transformation and healing in therapy relies on mutual trust and respect.​ My past work experience with people in crisis honed my skills in holding space for difficult experiences and painful emotions. I provide encouragement, empathy, understanding, attention and acceptance, and give honest and caring feedback.
Through our work together, you can expect to establish goals and work
meaningfully towards achieving them. Our work may also include challenging
unhelpful thoughts, building and increasing a sense of safety, finding meaning
and purpose, improving your communication and connection with others,
recognizing unhealthy patterns, fostering hope and nourishing change, practicing
new skills, and adopting new habits. ​​You may also notice an improvement in
understanding yourself and expressing your feelings, managing emotions, problem solving, and an increased sense of resilience.
Finding the right therapist to help can be overwhelming. I commend your courage in taking steps to improve your life
Amy Kennel, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Kate Scales
Licensed PRofessional Counselor, LPC, EdS
I graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Drama in 2001. After earning my EdS in School Counseling in 2007, I stepped back from the workforce in order to spend time with my young children. During my time off, I continued to prioritize service to the community through volunteer work with the Shelter For Help in Emergency, ReadyKids and the Adult Learning Center.
I have spent the past four years working as a Therapeutic Day Treatment Specialist with Region Ten CSB striving to be rigorous about collaborating with parents and other providers in the community and about creating spaces of safety where children can feel supported in expressing their feelings.
My time working with children inspired me to become a Licensed Professional Counselor with the goal of becoming a community counselor. When working with clients, I incorporate motivational interviewing, interpersonal process, play and expressive therapies and brief interventions to empower clients to meet their life goals.
"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness." - Gabor Maté
JORDAN WILSON
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, Med
I’ve never believed in censoring. My whole life being told I was “dramatic,” “argumentative” or “sensitive” all sent the same message: you’re too much.
To my fellow “too much”-ers, you are welcome here. You, and all parts of you, are enough. I work empathetically and collaboratively with those wanting to learn more about themselves, untangle the webs of trauma, shame, and despair, to help you reconnect with yourself and who you are. I work with folks to help them get in touch with their story—to help empower the ability to understand it, to share it, or to change it.
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I work with both teenagers and adults struggling with anxiety, shame, trauma, PTSD, depression, and self-esteem struggles. I specialize in an integrative and strength-based approach, looking at the ways in which resilience & survival has shown up in the face of obstacles and trauma. I also spend a large part of therapy deconstructing the ways in which societal systems impact our mental health and processing traumatic experiences. For teenagers, I work individually with supplemental joint sessions including parents as necessary to help create a safe and connecting environment within the family unit.
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​While my integrative approach is based on best-fit, here are the following therapy modalities I borrow from the most: Humanistic, narrative, internal family systems, acceptance and commitment, multicultural/feminist, trauma-focused, existential, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, mindfulness/sensorimotor psychotherapy, play and art-based techniques. Our work together is collaborative, creating a tailored therapeutic experience that best supports your needs.
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​I’d love to get to know YOUR story—not the story society tells about you, not the story others have told you about yourself, but the story and meaning YOU make about you. I’m here to help build the confidence and empowerment you are worthy of. Because YOU matter—you always have, and always will.
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I openly support the following communities: Body Positivity/Neutrality; LGBTQIA+; Non-binary & trans; racial justice; secular & non-religious.
Thank you!
-Jordan
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Because YOU matter -- you always have and always will.
Jordan Wilson, M.Ed., Resident in Counseling
Tiffani Ashland
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, MSW
I personally understand what it feels like to lose your way, lose people you love, or just to lose hope altogether. I've been there.
I strive to create a therapeutic space that is authentic, non-judgmental, flexible, and prioritizes each client’s individual needs and safety. I am an active therapist who values compassion, humor, and challenging clients in an empathetic and supportive way.
I use a holistic & strengths-based approach, drawing from mindfulness, solution-focused & cognitive behavioral therapies.
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I am experienced in treating older adolescents & adults with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, OCD, grief, and all types of relationship issues.
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I am a sex-positive therapist, experienced in helping people form and nurture healthy relationships with self and others.
This may include support with sexuality, gender identity, monogamous and non-monogamous, and open or polyamorous relationships.
Addiction is a complex disease of the brain and body that involves compulsive use of one or more substances despite serious health and social consequences.
National Institute of Health
Kristen Kern
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, MSW
It takes courage and strength to reach out for support in life. I believe providing a caring professional environment where individuals feel comfortable and can be themselves is key to healing and growth.
I am a welcoming, supportive, and empathetic therapist who collaborates with each client to help them make positive changes in their lives. I specialize in providing client centered therapy for adults, seniors, and their loved ones.
I use a variety of evidence-based therapy techniques to support individuals facing the challenges of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and other life transitions.
I focus on supporting each client in managing symptoms and improving their quality of life. I have over 15 years' experience helping adults and seniors learn the skills to make positive improvements to their overall health and wellness.
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The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.
Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Derik Rice
Supervisee in Social Work, MSW
Choosing kindness because you never know what someone else is going through is a widely held sentiment that I strive to embody in my clinical practice.
My goal in supporting you throughout your recovery journey is to walk alongside you and to be your “hope holder,” even when you feel you are drowning in despair.
As a master’s level social worker who entered the profession midlife, my depth and breadth of lived-life experiences enable me to support you from a place of empathy, compassion, and understanding. While I do not subscribe to any singular therapeutic approach, several that resonate with me include cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, collaborative therapy, and narrative therapy.
A guiding tenet in my practice is the belief that you are the expert on your own life. It is my job to help you uncover your strengths and empower you to face and overcome whatever dilemmas, problems, or situations you are facing.
I am comfortable working with individuals of all ages ranging from teenagers to older adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, trauma, substance abuse, relationship issues, and family and career transitions.
A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.
B. F. Skinner
Caylyn Arbogast
RESIDENT IN COUNSELING, MA, EdS​
While pursuing my Master’s degree at James Madison University, I discovered a profound commitment to serving rural communities. This passion led me to an enriching internship in Page County, VA, where I have continued to serve ever since. My professional journey includes experience as a Crisis Therapist, mental health therapist, and therapist for Page County's Adult Recovery Court Program.
Currently, as a Resident in Counseling, I provide a range of therapeutic services to clients aged 6 and up, including individual, group, couple, and family therapy. My integrative therapeutic approach is designed to address diverse needs and is largely based on a Humanistic foundation with interventions that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), expressive arts, Play Therapy, and other evidence-based interventions.
I am a generalist who has worked with clients facing serious mental illness, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, identity challenges, trauma, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and comorbid substance use disorders.
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My clinical supervisor is Crystal Myers, LPC. She can be reached at (434)990-1744.
Moving forward requires vigilance. It requires us to constantly attend to who we are, how we got that way, and all the selves we have the capacity to be.
Jennifer L. Eberhardt
Meagan Sheffler
Resident in Counseling, MED
I graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in Anthropology in 2010 and, after a decade of soul-searching and gaining valuable life experience, felt drawn to the counseling field. In 2023, I received my MEd in Counselor Education through the College of William and Mary.
I value cultivating a safe, affirming, and trusting therapeutic relationship with my clients. My hope is to create a space that encourages self-discovery and self-compassion. Together, we will collaborate on goals, build meaningful insights around thought processes and emotional responses, and work to unravel any unhealthy patterns that get in the way of personal growth and healing.
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I work through a humanistic lens and pull from strength-based, attachment focused, and emotionally focused approaches. I have experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, complex trauma, as well as identity exploration and interpersonal relationships.
"Art speaks where words are unable to explain.”
Pam Holland
Patrick dove
M.S.Ed LMHP-R, Resident in Counseling
Hey, my name’s Patrick, and I’m currently a resident in counseling who cares about helping people navigate challenges, become healthier, and change their lives. I have many lived experiences and professional experiences that inform the way I work with people. I completed my M.S. Ed in Mental Health Counseling at ODU in 2020. I completed internships working with adolescents and teens as a Career counselor and TDT counselor. I worked as a Crisis Therapist for several years. I have worked as a Substance Use Therapist with Winchester Recovery Court, providing individual and group therapy to clients learning to navigate recovery. I have experience working with men and women, teens, who are learning to live with addiction, trauma, anxiety, anger, shame, and depression. I currently work with clients 14 and up in individual and group therapies. As a man, I have particular experiences and interest in guiding men to become strong, caring leaders who provide for themselves and the one’s they love.
I utilize an integrative approach incorporating many evidence-based therapies such as Person-Centered therapy, Strengths-Based, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, Narrative therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment therapy to help you deconstruct your experiences and your thought process and develop a healthy way of thinking about your experiences and yourself. I care about providing a therapeutic relationship where your supported without judgement and challenged to grow and make healthy changes. I care about helping people become healthier emotionally, mentally, and physically. I care about helping people realize their potential and accomplish their goals. I care about helping people become who they are meant to be.
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My clinical supervisor is Crystal Myers, LPC, who can be reached at 434-990-1744.
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Therapy can be a great opportunity to learn how to make the changes you want to see, and you absolutely can change your life. What you have experienced or been through does not define who you are. By learning more about yourself, you can change the way you think and build a better life that you deserve. What I do best is help you develop self-awareness, self-acceptance, and a healthier lifestyle. If you are experiencing anxiety, anger, depression, shame, negative thinking, trauma/PTSD, or substance use concerns, and you’re ready to change your life, reach out to me, and let’s get to work!
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination."
Carl Rogers
Nickie Dunn
Supervisee in social work, msw
When life feels directionless and overwhelming, taking the first step toward therapy can seem daunting. Perhaps you’re wrestling with feelings of shame, guilt, or fear of judgment, making the idea of being vulnerable even more challenging. You might be questioning whether therapy is truly necessary, or if it would even help at all. These doubts and anxieties are understandable, and they often stem from the very challenges you are hoping to address.
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I provide a supportive and empowering space for teens and young adults facing a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative and strengths-based. I draw from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you develop coping skills, gain self-awareness, and create meaningful change. I believe you are the expert on your own life; my role is to support and guide you on your journey to healing and self-discovery. I recognize that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all, and I tailor my approach to meet your needs and address your unique concerns. Together, we can work to challenge thoughts and relational patterns that are no longer serving you, and create space to step into new ways of thinking and being. I strive to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, affirming, and authentic.
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"Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn't you- all of the expectations, all of the beliefs- and becoming who you are."
Rachel Naomi Remen
Lauren Capasso
Supervisee in social work, msw
Hi, my name is Lauren and I am a Supervisee in Social Work. I have extensive experience working with children and their families. I have had continual involvement working in child welfare with diverse families involved in the foster care system for the past 6 years, worked as a medical social worker, and received my MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University. I have experience working in crisis intervention, complex trauma, child-development, and more while working closely with children, teens, and adults.
I value the uniqueness of each individual I work with and will meet a client where they are at. I seek to create an environment that is open, inclusive, and safe for different views, emotions, and behaviors. Utilizing a holistic approach, when working with others, allows me to understand the client's needs to guide intervention. I use Strength Based and Client Centered Therapy to create a foundation that is supportive of a client’s strengths while addressing why they are seeking help.
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The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating. It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. And it can lead to a range of self-destructive behaviors.
Peter A. Levine
Having achieved my Master’s Degree in Social Work and clinical licensure later in life has reignited the passion I feel about being a helper. I bring to you both professional training combined with lived experience having served women and children at risk, adults with severe mental illness, children and adolescents with trauma, the elderly and end of life care, individuals in crisis, and coping with loved ones with substance use. Let’s work collaboratively to find the tools and treatment that are right for you.
My clinical supervisor is Crystal Myers, LPC, who can be reached at 434-990-1744.
Danette Kesner
Licensed clinical social worker, lcsw, msw
Most of us experience difficult struggles because life is hard sometimes. You may be questioning your sense of worth and trying to find your voice. Or you may be experiencing the brokenness that accompanies the loss of a relationship or a loved one. You may be trying to manage the stress and anxiety that goes along with raising children and launching them into this wild world we live in. Perhaps you are trying to recover from the long-term effects of trauma or abuse, but doing any of these things on your own can be difficult.
My question to you is do you want to work through these struggles alone? If so, is it working for you? Or, are you open to having someone come along your side? As we work together, you may grow in confidence and a sense of worth with a voice that can speak to those things or people that threatened you in the past. You may find healing and hopefulness to move beyond your loss while holding onto the happy memories. You may also learn how to process and eventually cope with the pain of past trauma and abuse, while adding healthy ways to manage your stress, strengthening yourself and relationships.
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Having achieved my Master’s Degree in Social Work and clinical licensure later in life has reignited the passion I feel about being a helper. I bring to you both professional training combined with lived experience having served women and children at risk, adults with severe mental illness, children and adolescents with trauma, the elderly and end of life care, individuals in crisis, and coping with loved ones with substance use. Let’s work collaboratively to find the tools and treatment that are right for you.
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Danette kesner
licensed clinical social worker, lcsw, msw
Most of us experience difficult struggles because life is hard sometimes. You may be questioning your sense of worth and trying to find your voice. Or you may be experiencing the brokenness that accompanies the loss of a relationship or a loved one. You may be trying to manage the stress and anxiety that goes along with raising children and launching them into this wild world we live in. Perhaps you are trying to recover from the long-term effects of trauma or abuse, but doing any of these things on your own can be difficult.
My question to you is do you want to work through these struggles alone? If so, is it working for you? Or, are you open to having someone come along your side? As we work together, you may grow in confidence and a sense of worth with a voice that can speak to those things or people that threatened you in the past. You may find healing and hopefulness to move beyond your loss while holding onto the happy memories. You may also learn how to process and eventually cope with the pain of past trauma and abuse, while adding healthy ways to manage your stress, strengthening yourself and relationships.
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