LCMHC, 15 years of experience
I’m Dr. LaToya Chevelle Waddell, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor dedicated to helping individuals, families, and professionals heal, grow, and reclaim their sense of self. I specialize in trauma-informed care, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and the unique challenges faced by people navigating identity, family stress, career changes, and complex life stories. My approach blends evidence-based strategies with compassion, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness. As someone who has spent my career supporting clients from all walks of life—including communities often overlooked or underserved—I value authenticity, transparency, and creating a therapeutic space where you can breathe, unravel, and rebuild without judgment. I am also an educator, researcher, and community advocate who believes healing is both personal and collective. Whether you’re seeking clarity, coping skills, emotional balance, or a deeper understanding of your own story, I will meet you exactly where you are with patience, insight, and steady guidance. In our work together, you can expect a therapist who listens deeply, holds space gently, and supports you in moving from surviving to thriving at a pace that honors your lived experience. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, rewrite narratives shaped by past pain, and cultivate emotional freedom that aligns with the life you’re trying to build. If you’re ready for a therapeutic partnership rooted in safety, honesty, and growth—I’m honored to walk alongside you.
Your first session with me is designed to be grounding, gentle, and intentional. I know starting therapy can feel both hopeful and overwhelming, so my goal is to help you feel safe, seen, and understood from the moment we begin. We’ll start with a warm welcome and a brief overview of what our time together will look like. I’ll invite you to share what motivated you to seek therapy, what you’ve been carrying emotionally, and what you’re hoping to change, understand, or experience differently. There is no pressure to tell your entire story at once—your pace is honored. You get to decide how much or how little you want to disclose early on. I’ll also ask a series of questions that help me understand your background, strengths, challenges, current stressors, and what support looks like for you. These questions are not tests—they’re tools that help me shape a plan tailored to your needs, not a one-size-fits-all model. Together, we will begin to identify your goals. Some clients arrive with clear goals in mind; others simply know they’re tired, overwhelmed, anxious, or ready for change. Either way is okay. We’ll work collaboratively to clarify what healing, growth, or relief can look like for you. I’ll explain my counseling style, what trauma-informed and empowerment-focused care looks like, and how we will work together in ways that respect your cultural background, lived experience, and personal boundaries. You’ll also have space to ask questions—about therapy, privacy, scheduling, or anything else that matters to you. By the end of our session, you can expect: A clearer sense of direction An understanding of how we’ll approach therapy Initial tools or grounding strategies if needed A feeling of support—not judgment Most importantly, you can expect an environment where you don’t have to “perform,” be perfect, or minimize your experiences. You simply get to be human. My role is to help you make sense of what you’ve been navigating and begin the process of rebuilding, restoring, or rediscovering yourself. Our first session is the doorway. Each step after that, we walk together—at your pace, with intention, compassion, and room to grow.
I am diverse in my approach to life and work to assist each individual to identify and realize their potential and instill hope that positive self-esteem and self-actualization may become a lifelong goal.
I have extensive experience working with individuals across different age groups and addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, substance use issues, relationship challenges, and life difficulties.
In my opinion, eclectic therapy is a type of psychotherapy that aims to cater to the individual needs of each person seeking treatment. My therapy sessions often incorporate a range of different disciplines, which is why eclectic therapy is also known as multi-modal or integrative therapy. I gravitate towards approaches that prioritize finding solutions, thinking creatively, and taking a holistic approach. I have an extensive background in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-focused, and trauma-focused treatment.