LPC, 7 years of experience
I am an EMDR Trained LPC in Virginia with 6 years of experience as a psychotherapist. I am dedicated to collaborating with you on your transformative journey, fostering lasting change. Creating a safe space and empowering relationship is my passion. Authenticity and genuineness are foundational within our therapeutic space in addition to person centered therapeutic treatment. I am committed to walking with you through your personal growth and empowering you toward positive change.
In the first session, a client can expect to review their reason for seeking therapy and identify at minimum one treatment goal. The client can expect to receive information about my process as a clinician and they will have the chance to ask me questions related to treatment. The first session is also where there will be discussion on confidentiality, crisis, consent, and privacy. Follow up sessions will be scheduled during this session.
My main strength as a provider is my ability to develop rapport through calm genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and humor. With much of my experience in community mental health, I have been able to treat mental health across a large spectrum of severity. I have been able to become attuned to identifying appropriate treatment modalities and interventions, but continue to be grounded with my clients enough to identify when a course of treatment is not working in their best interest.
The clients that I am best positioned to serve are those that seek counseling to process trauma, identify post-traumatic growth, develop effective coping strategies for anxiety and depression, and improve self-awareness and self-esteem that has declined due to relationship trauma. I am also passionate about helping clients build stronger relationships through healthy boundaries and assertive communication.
Like many clinicians, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a foundational and effective treatment method that can be used to treat a variety of problems. CBT can be used to focus on treating a specific diagnosis, but it can also be effective in improving behavioral and relational needs. I use CBT with clients who want a more traditional "talk therapy" experience and demonstrate an investment in their mental health goals.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a treatment method used to treat clients with historical trauma that impacts present day functioning. As an EMDR Trained Clinician, I used this treatment with clients who have trauma that they find difficult to verbally process, but still experience. These clients have also demonstrated buy-in and a commitment to the EMDR process as the course of treatment requires frequent and consistent attendance.
Gestalt Therapy is a theoretical orientation that I use with clients with less severe presenting problems that want to focus more on the present moments and moving forward in lieu of historical processing. I also use Gestalt therapy with clients who may have unresolved issues with individuals and situations that they cannot readily "bring" to session. Gestalt Therapy can be used to empower clients, increase self-awareness, and improve self-confidence.
As an experienced clinician, I have been able to learn and practice a variety of different modalities outside of the ones listed on this profile. I feel confident in identifying the need to switch modalities when it is beneficial to the client's mental health stability. There may be times where there is a need to switch to motivational interviewing when there is ambivalence. There may be a need to switch to EMDR when it becomes clear that a specific trauma is a recurring theme impacting the client's relationships and behaviors. Again, I am very careful about switching modalities and only do so when there is benefit in the client meeting their treatment goals.
2 ratings with written reviews
June 14, 2025
I am so excited to be working with her!!
April 26, 2025
Justina has a way of making you want to reflect even if it may be hard or painful to do so. I'm a naturally hesitant person but Justina helps you look inward, while giving you the tools you need to succeed on your journey to a state of acceptance/peace.