Our Team
Erica Sartwell
MA, LPC, RPT-S — Owner/Clinical Director
Erica is a skilled therapist who helps her clients manage and overcome life’s problems with a gentle approach. Erica counsels children, adolescents, couples and families in need of short term or long term care. She has received training in several areas including Play Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Erica received her BA in Behavioral Sciences in Austin, Texas and she received her MA in Professional Counseling in Chicago, Illinois, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. She later moved to Virginia and has enjoyed growing her skills and practice in the Coastal Virginia community.
Individual Therapy • Play Therapy
Kalynn Aguirre
Practicum / Intern Student
Kalynn is a graduate student in the William & Mary Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, with a concentration on Military and Veteran Counseling. Utilizing her experience as an Air Force Intelligence officer, she has a passion for evidence-based approaches to help clients connect to their truest selves. As a registered yoga instructor, Kalynn values the use of mindfulness and acceptance in her practice. She believes that fostering inner strengths and practicing self-acceptance creates lasting resiliency. She aims to help clients see their own potential through integrating a strengths-based, solution-focused style and a willingness to meet each person where they are. Some examples of this integration include seeking out immediate tools and solutions, investigating deeper, existential concerns, and gaining clarity of individual values and beliefs. As an NBCC Military Foundation Scholar, Kalynn is committed to assisting military members and the military-affiliated community in overcoming the unique challenges that they face. She is also passionate about helping clients build the necessary skills to overcome challenges related to attachment concerns, ADHD, life transitions, and trauma along with strengthening nervous system resiliency to create a more grounded and centered life. Kalynn is also a mother to an enthusiastic little boy and some of her interests include spending time with family, traveling, working on DIY projects, arts, practicing yoga, and learning something new at every opportunity.
Autum Boyer-Nemes, M.Ed, RYT
Resident in Counseling
Autum believes in empowering individuals to authentically author their own story, breaking free from predetermined patterns or cycles. She uses an integrative approach that investigates the various parts that make up who we are, including the past, trauma, and family dynamics, while create coping skills to deal with life’s current challenges. Autum enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families from various walks of life, yet has a passion for exploring women’s issues, trauma, veterans and military issues, and couples counseling. As a Navy Veteran and military spouse, Autum understands the unique challenges posed by military life and its impact on loved ones. Autum is an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist and utilizes IFS techniques to further explore identity and sense of self. Autum supplements that work with informed DBT to create skills to cope with life’s everyday challenges. She has received level 1 training in the Gottman Method for working with couples. Autum also utilizes her experience as a yoga instructor to blend unique mindfulness practices with emotional regulation, communication, boundary setting, and self-compassion. Autum completed her Master of Education in Clinicial Mental Health Counseling at The College of William and Mary. Additionally, she received an Associate of Arts in Arabic Studies from the Defense Language Institute and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Arizona State University. In her spare time, you can find Autum outdoors, drinking coffee, traveling, or spending time with her partner and fur babies.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Megan Birmingham
Administrative Staff
Megan is originally from Florida but moved up to Virginia a little over 3 years ago. Some of her favorite hobbies include painting, going to the gym, reading, or taking long walks outside with her dog and fiancee. She is relatively new to the world of psychology but remembers how much she loved and was fascinated by it back in high school and plans on going back to school for it.
Becca Brown, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Becca is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech and her Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University. Becca’s background includes individual and group counseling with children, adolescents, college students, adults and families. She has worked in a wide variety of settings including residential treatment, in-home and community settings, therapeutic day treatment, case management, counseling in a higher education setting and group private practice. Her style is warm, person-centered and strength-focused, using a theoretically eclectic approach tailored to client needs and goals. Becca welcomes adults to her practice at this time.
Individual Therapy
Lee Burnett, MA
Resident Counselor
Lee graduated from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Liberty University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Belmont Abbey College and an Early Childhood Development certificate from Gaston College. She has taught preschool through middle school age children including those with special needs and those with behavioral difficulties. Her passion is working with young people and seeing them grow and finding their strengths. Lee has an extensive background in early childhood development and has been a presenter at NAEYC Conferences and was Teacher of the Year at Sherwood Elementary School. Being a mother of three teenage children, Lee can understand many of the issues that bring families to counseling. She believes counseling can serve as a safe space to begin the healing process and make positive changes for a more fulfilling life. Using strength-based and solution focused approaches Lee works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Lee is a SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) certified couple’s facilitator who can help couples start their marriage on a positive note or help married couples embrace differences and build a stronger marriage through intimacy and communication. In her free time Lee enjoys time in the mountains, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy • Play Therapy
Meghan Byrem
Practicum / Intern Student
Meghan is currently a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Liberty University. She has an MS in Organizational and Human Resource Development with a Certification in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Abilene Christian University. She has almost twenty years of experience as a military spouse and understands the unique challenges facing service members and their families. Her heart is to see individuals thrive and overcome personal challenges, difficult transitions, and crises. She utilizes an integrative, humanistic approach to therapy to help clients live full and satisfying lives. She believes in a holistic approach to authentic living and adapting the client’s treatment to fit their unique needs and goals. When Meghan is not counseling, she enjoys spending time with her spouse, three children, and two dogs. She loves camping and exploring new places. She enjoys baking bread, writing, being creative, and gardening when she is not traveling.
David Bunting, Ed.S., LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
David Bunting is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings for over twenty years. He employs an eclectic approach tailored to the unique needs of each new client. David believes in building upon people’s strengths in the present with solution-focused goals aimed toward contentment. Offering a holistic approach utilizing systems theory and cognitive behavioral therapy, David provides honest language, along with humor, to genuinely relate to his clients. Helping individuals interpret their beliefs about life, guiding them towards a healthier self and enhancing their relationships with others is all part of the journey. David received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University in 1993 and his Master of Social Work from East Carolina University in 1995. David’s experience in school counseling led him to obtain an Educational Specialist degree from The George Washington University in 2007.
Individual Therapy
Margaret Campbell, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Margaret is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about creating a safe place for clients to develop self-awareness, process difficult emotions, implement healthy coping skills, create new patterns, accept hard truths, and break dysfunctional cycles. Margaret earned her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Regent University and is a military spouse. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, ADHD, adjustment disorder, behavioral disorders, gender and sexual identity issues, grief, trauma, spirituality issues, and relational conflicts. Margaret provides therapy through a person-centered approach where she meets each client where they are with genuine empathy and compassion. Margaret incorporates therapeutic techniques from Gestalt Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy, and Existential Therapy, and Mindfulness into treatment to assist clients with positive change and healing. Margaret’s hope for all her clients is they leave sessions feeling heard, seen, and truly known.
Individual Therapy
Caitlin Cavanaugh, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Caitlin is a licensed counselor with a passion for joining with others in their subjective experiences to make desired changes in their lives. Caitlin earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University and completed her residency at CoVa. Caitlin applies a holistic and person-centered approach to therapy, incorporating meaning-centered existential therapy, positive psychology, CBT, and DBT interventions into treatment. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in navigating life transitions, severe behavioral and conduct issues, homelessness, depression, anxiety, gender identity, sexual identity, trauma, and relationship strain. Caitlin also has a passion for parenting support for challenging parent-child relationships and has training in Love & Logic parent training. She recognizes that by creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment, clients can learn to redefine dysfunctional boundaries, to reconnect with a sense of meaning for their lives, and to ultimately make lasting changes in their lives and relationships.
Individual Therapy
Sam Conlin, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Sam is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a Master of Arts in Counselor Education. Sam completed her residency to become a LPC at a private practice in Roanoke, VA, where she has worked with clients ages 2 years old and up. Her work has focused on working with children in foster care, adoptive families, and kinship families, as well as children, adolescents, and young adults with early childhood and generational trauma. Sam utilizes a person-centered approach, while also integrating systems theory, cultural competency, and trauma-aware practices. As a counselor, Sam has continued to learn and grow by engaging in trainings to become a Registered Play Therapy (RPT). She primarily utilizes child-centered play therapy with young clients as she believes play is a child’s language. Through the therapeutic alliance, Sam creates a safe environment for her clients to tap into their inner resources and resiliency to achieve their counseling goals.
Individual Therapy • Play Therapy
Kim Fisher, ATR, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Kimberly is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR). She graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School – Art Therapy and Counseling Program in 2000 and has experience working with others individually or in group settings with a variety of mental health concerns. Kimberly’s years of experience include residential and day school treatment with children and adolescents, art therapy treatment with the military, school-based art therapy groups, and group work with substance abuse and trauma. Kimberly utilizes a Client-Centered and Strengths-Based approach that may be integrated with Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Guided Imagery, and Psycho-education to foster growth and help clients meet their full potential. Kimberly carries additional training in EMDR and Yoga (RYT). She recognizes the power of the therapeutic relationship and will provide a safe, non-judgemental environment to explore thoughts, ideas and feelings. Counseling sessions will be a collaborative effort to develop effective tools and techniques to handle life challenges.
Individual Therapy • Art Therapy
Jess Hales
Practicum / Intern Student
Jess is currently a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program of Wake Forest University. She has a passion for working with trauma and addiction, using a holistic person-centered approach that acknowledges everyone is an expert in their own life. She believes counseling can be a beneficial resource for facing any of life’s difficulties as well as building self-awareness and coping skills. Using an empathetic and personalized approach, Jess strives to provide each client with the individualized service they need for a variety of concerns. She believes in the power of incorporating mindfulness and positive thinking into daily activities. In her free time, Jess enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, and spending time outside with her partner and their three dogs.
Chelsea Hedrick, MSW
Supervisee in Clinical Social Work
Chelsea graduated from George Mason University with a master’s degree in clinical social work and is currently completing supervision for clinical licensure. Prior to completing her specialization field practicum with Cova, Chelsea worked as a graduate social work intern at the Mason and Partners Clinic where she was able to work with an interdisciplinary team to provide care for adults, children, and families. Recognizing the impact of social, cultural, and environmental factors on one’s well-being, Chelsea offers individualized support for each person’s unique needs. She thrives when she can foster a safe environment for the collaborative exploration of thoughts and emotions. Chelsea provides trauma informed counseling services in both English and Spanish and has a passion for working with teens and young adults, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. In session, Chelsea incorporates interventions which draw from Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Together, Chelsea works with clients to process life’s challenges and explore where core beliefs originate; teaching tools which draw from her client’s strengths and empower them to take steps towards a more balanced, healthier, and happier life.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Mary Hull, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Mary is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Cova. She joined the team while finishing her requirements for licensure, and continues her good work helping numerous individuals through CoVa. She uses a mobilizing, solution-focused approach to crisis intervention, personal coaching, and recovery processes. Her theoretical standpoint embodies DBT and CBT principles, mindfulness, psychoeducation, philosophical inquisition, exposure/immersion therapy, graduated acceptance therapy, art as therapy, and other creative outlets to animate the mirth of self-understanding. While trying to detangle life’s serious issues, she tries to align with the client a sense of bonding, respect, empathy, perspective, direction, and (comic) relief. She believes that one of the most therapeutic things in life is a laugh.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Rojean Kassabo, RIC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Rojean is a postgraduate counselor holding a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of William and Mary. Her dedication lies in guiding adults aged 18 and above on their path to healing and self-discovery. Her therapeutic approach integrates person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy with a strength-based methodology, all while respecting and embracing the diverse cultural backgrounds and belief systems of her clients. She is bilingual and proficient in providing counseling services in Arabic and Kurdish. With experience working with individuals from various backgrounds, her ultimate goal is to empower them to overcome their challenges. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, anger management, transition and adjustment, grief, relationship difficulties, and crisis. She endeavors to establish a safe and nurturing space where individuals can explore their innermost thoughts and emotions.
Kristy Livsey, MA
Resident Counselor
Kristy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Old Dominion University and her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling with a Forensic Specialty from Argosy University. Kristy has worked with adolescents with severe behavioral and conduct issues and a wide range of mental health concerns, such as trauma, depression, anxiety, gender-identity & expression, and strained family relationships for the past 20 years. She has worked in community based, residential and correctional settings. Kristy uses an integrative approach, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, trauma focused practices, and various other approaches to meet each client’s unique needs. Kristy considers the emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual elements of a person. She creates a safe space for her clients and understands the importance of building a trusting therapeutic relationship, which fosters the client’s resiliency and power to create meaningful change and healing. Kristy also loves spending time with her family, dancing, traveling, and always loves a good laugh.
Individual Therapy • EMDR
Lauren Lock, MA, CSAC
Resident in Counseling
Lauren is Resident in Counseling working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and holds a certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). She is certified in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and has received training in several areas such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She is a native Hampton Roads resident who has a deep passion for serving her community and meeting clients where they are at. She earned both her B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her specialties include anxiety, depression, life transitions, substance abuse, and trauma. Lauren uses a strengths based and solution focused approach to assist her clients. Sessions with Lauren will be supportive and collaborative as she helps you navigate becoming the best version of yourself. When she is not in the office, you can find her spending time riding/caring for horses at the barn or enjoying nature with her dogs.
EMDR • Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Heather Longoria, MA, LPC, ASDCS
Licensed Professional Counselor
Heather is a licensed therapist in Virginia Beach, with the goal of guiding her clients towards conscious mindful living. Heather counsels both individual adults and couple’s, yet has a distinct passion for working with neurodiverse women to live authentic, connected, empowered lives! Heather counsels collaboratively with her client(s) through a trauma informed, holistic approach grounded in Psychodynamic theory; offering insight and understanding, CBT / DBT therapy; offering practical tools for coping and change, and additional methods such as the use of; art, music, meditation, nutrition, nature & spirituality. If you are looking to understand yourself with more depth and explore healing, I welcome you to connect.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Mayzie McCall
Intern / Administrative Staff
Mayzie is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a minor in Psychology. She hopes and is excited to attend a Graduate program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the near future. Mayzie loves working with people and is especially excited by the idea of working with children, as well as couples. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends, going to the beach, and traveling.
Kim McClernon, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Kim believes that therapy (and life) are about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and embracing growth. She strives to treat the whole person and make therapy a personalized experience. Kim views clients as masters of their own stories and empowers people to be agents of change in their own lives. Kim graduated with her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. She holds an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA from Virginia Tech in Marketing Management. Kim is passionate about taking an integrative and holistic approach using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (thoughts/actions), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Art Therapy techniques. Kim believes that being person centered, relatable and having a good sense of humor connects her to her clients. She uses her past experience to enrich her empathy and motivation to serve children (4+), teens, young adults, midlifers and older adults in the community. In her free time Kim enjoys playing tennis (a lot), traveling and spending time with her family and dog, Wilson.
Individual Therapy
Juan Milla LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Juan was born in El Salvador where at the age of 21 founded a rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addicts. During that time Juan saw the need to become better prepared to help people with traumatic pasts and moved to the United States in 2004 to complete his degree in Counseling at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. He graduated with his masters in 2008 and has continued to reside in the Virginia Beach area since then. Since graduating in 2008, Juan has worked both full time and part time as a counselor. During this time he also became involved in a local church where he youth pastored for 7 years and has currently been senior pastor for almost four years. As a pastor, Juan has in-depth knowledge of Biblical principles that can be applied to many areas and challenges in one’s life. He also has extensive experience with trauma-related issues and utilizes approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Integration (EMI). In addition, Juan is fluent in both English and Spanish. Juan has a passion to help individuals, marriages, and families live more fulfilling and healthier lives by helping them overcome unresolved issues that hold them back or by giving them coping skills to face present challenges. He believes in providing the safest place possible for clients to share their story and explore thoughts and emotions.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Autum Boyer-Nemes, M.Ed, RYT
Resident in Counseling
Autum believes in empowering individuals to authentically author their own story, breaking free from predetermined patterns or cycles. She uses an integrative approach that investigates the various parts that make up who we are, including the past, trauma, and family dynamics, while create coping skills to deal with life’s current challenges. Autum enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families from various walks of life, yet has a passion for exploring women’s issues, trauma, veterans and military issues, and couples counseling. As a Navy Veteran and military spouse, Autum understands the unique challenges posed by military life and its impact on loved ones. Autum is an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist and utilizes IFS techniques to further explore identity and sense of self. Autum supplements that work with informed DBT to create skills to cope with life’s everyday challenges. She has received level 1 training in the Gottman Method for working with couples. Autum also utilizes her experience as a yoga instructor to blend unique mindfulness practices with emotional regulation, communication, boundary setting, and self-compassion. Autum completed her Master of Education in Clinicial Mental Health Counseling at The College of William and Mary. Additionally, she received an Associate of Arts in Arabic Studies from the Defense Language Institute and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Arizona State University. In her spare time, you can find Autum outdoors, drinking coffee, traveling, or spending time with her partner and fur babies.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy
Halyn Pearson, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Halyn Pearson received her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with CoVa. She believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship and working with clients to create a safe space. Halyn’s goal is to support individuals in developing insight, expanding their coping skills, processing grief and loss, and healing unresolved trauma. She is passionate about working with individuals who seek to make meaningful changes in their lives. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults who are ready to start their journey toward becoming their best self. Maintaining an integrative approach, she incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness based practices, positive psychology, play as therapy, and expressive arts. She has additional training and experience in sand tray therapy, animal assisted play therapy, EMDR and dialectical behavioral therapy. Halyn’s therapy dog, Zeke, is often available to aid sessions. It is truly special when individuals allow Halyn to be apart of their lives, and can be vulnerable with her as you walk together in the healing process, whatever that may look like for you.
Individual Therapy • Play Therapy
Savannah Pierce, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
My name is Savannah Pierce, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor. I obtained a Master’s of science degree at Longwood University in the field of Mental Health Counseling. My therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and positive psychology techniques while using a client-centered approach. Throughout my clinical journey, I found my passion entails working with individuals and families from all walks of life who are ready to make changes in their lives. My passion includes working with adolescents/teens and the LGBTQ+ community who struggle with depression, self-harm, self-esteem, identity and anxiety issues. I strive to provide a safe space to discuss feelings, relationships and coping strategies to live a more successful and happy life with all clients.
Individual Therapy • Play Therapy
Kali Roomsburg
Resident in Counseling
Kali earned her M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Old Dominion University. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary in Public Policy and Sociology. Kali is a member of the American Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota, Phi Kappa Phi, and Counselors for Social Justice. Kali is passionate about helping people navigate mental health challenges, life stressors, and transitions, especially children and adolescents. Kali has experience working with individuals ranging in age from 4 to 75+ years old struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, PTSD, learning disorders, low self-esteem, conduct problems, and relational issues. Kali aims to help clients explore presenting concerns from a holistic perspective that considers how one’s mental, physical, and spiritual health are interconnected. Kali utilizes an eclectic approach that combines cognitive behavioral, person-centered, solution focused, and strength-based therapeutic modalities. Additionally, she frequently incorporates play, art, games, and mindfulness into sessions. Kali aims to tailor therapy to each client’s unique needs and creates a safe, warm, empowering, and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. She believes it is critical to work collaboratively with clients to explore presenting concerns and develop adaptive coping strategies. Kali ultimately seeks to support clients in discovering ways to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Kali was born and raised in Virginia Beach and enjoys spending time with loved ones, going to the beach, traveling, exercising, listening to music, and trying new things in her free time.
Alyssa Ross, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Alyssa strives to make therapy a meaningful experience through providing genuine support, safety, transparency, warmth, humor, and acceptance. She believes in meeting her clients where they are and is committed to working alongside them while developing positive coping skills to make desired life changes. Alyssa’s approach is integrative and collaborative. She implements CBT, DBT, and expressive arts into her work so that her clients can develop skills to promote a more immediate shift in mood and sense of wellness. Alyssa carries additional experience/training in EMDR, Play Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and has completed a DBT intensive program. She works with children and adults with specific interests in treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, self-esteem, and parenting concerns.
Individual Therapy • Play Therapy
Rachel Sabourin, LPC, M Ed
Licensed Professional Counselor
Rachel graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and graduated from William and Mary with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health and Addictions Counseling. She believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and believes that counseling is a place where therapists can overcome issues, make positive changes, and heal. Rachel is a EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist and supplements that with Informed DBT and Strengths-Based Therapy.
Individual Therapy
P. Todd Sartwell, MA, ESQ.
Owner, Operations Director
Todd received his BA in Behavioral Sciences in Austin, Texas in 1998, received his MA in Psychology in Chicago, Illinois in 2000 and his JD from Regent University in 2005. He has handled over 1000 matters and observed first hand the devestating effect conflict can have, even on the party who “wins”. As a result of that experience, he is driven to assist clients in discovering solutions through conflict resolution and coaching in relationships, employment, litigation and any other area in need of guidance or conflict resolution. He has designed a mediation program through Cova which is solution based, successful and affordable. Todd is also an owner of the Dickerson & Smith Law Group in Virginia Beach.
Mediation • Life Coaching
Rebecca Scott
Intern Student
Rebecca is passionate about holistic wellness and understands that each client has unique needs. She takes an integrative approach to counseling, incorporating emotion-focused therapy, strengths-based therapy, and person-centered therapy into her counseling style. Rebecca enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages experiencing anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem issues, and low confidence. Additionally, Rebecca has a special interest in working with couples and military families. As an extension of her specialization and interests, Rebecca has received Gottman level 1 & 2 training, further developing her skills in couples work. She received her bachelor’s degree in global affairs and French from George Mason University. Currently, she is a graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program at the College of William & Mary with a military and veteran specialization. As a military spouse, Rebecca is familiar with the challenges military spouses and families face. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband, her two children, and her Maine Coon, Gus. Her favorite self-care activities include being outdoors, reading, and baking.
Stephanie Smith-Durkin, PhD, NCC
Resident Counselor
Dr. Stephanie Smith-Durkin is a former school counselor with nearly two decades of experience working with children and their families in both school and residential settings. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, Masters of Science in Education with a focus in School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a PhD in Counselor Education. Each of her degrees she earned from Old Dominion University where she is a professor in the Counseling and Human Services department. There, she trains the next generation of school and clinical mental health counselors. She is also a National Certified Counselor. As a counselor, Stephanie utilizes an eclectic approach; bringing in elements from solution-focused, person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy into sessions. She is person focused, not problem focused during counseling sessions and utilizes humor, art, and play as necessary. She views the counseling process as a partnership, where she works hand in hand with clients to bring about positive life changes. Outside of counseling, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her spouse and two young children as well as reading and traveling.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy • Play Therapy
Emily Catherine Thomas
Administration
Emily Catherine graduated from Liberty University. She feels most herself when she is connecting with other people which makes her a great asset to CoVa.
David Watts, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
David Watts received his Bachelors of Science degree in psychology from University of Mary Washington, his Masters of Arts in Counseling, cum laude, and Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. David has experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups regarding anxiety and depressive disorders, trauma and stress related disorders, substance use and abuse, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, gender and sexuality issues, personality disorders, developmental disorders and identity issues, spirituality/faith issues, and systemic family issues. In addition, he has worked with state and federally mandated clients. David believes change, healing, and wholeness is always possible for those willing to engage in the hard but rewarding work of therapy. He considers it an honor to partner with clients in reaching their goals.
Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy