Therapists in Abingdon, VA

Aloha as we say in Hawaii! My nickname is 'Rickie' and I would like to welcome you to BetterHelp. You have taken an important first step in reaching out for counseling help. A little about me: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with licenses in VA and HI. I hail from the East Coast originally, and have lived in Hawaii for about ten years. I have 25+ years as a psychotherapist, working with adults. I have worked with a diversity of client populations, ranging from working with the military, LGBT, women's groups, and clients in specialty areas around healing with relationship challenges, self-esteem and building self-confidence, grief and loss, anxiety and stress reduction, managing change, depression, substance abuse, especially alcohol abuse and family impact, incest, trauma, and eating disorders. I draw from several therapeutic styles, including solution-focused, integrative which combines person-centered and psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and Gestalt. I value insight and goal-setting as keys to behavioral change. I can also share with you that I’ve trained with some of the best as mentors and trainers, including Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross-the world's leading authority in grief and loss work, and Virginia Satir-the world's leading expert in family systems and couples work. A fun fact about me: I went up in a hot air balloon to celebrate my 30th birthday! Now let’s talk a bit about your counseling… In these first days and weeks, the process may feel slow at times, but we need to build trust so that I may sync my style to your needs so that you can best achieve your goals. The BetterHelp counseling space is where you have your voice, it is your safe space to express and where you are free to ask questions and freely share about how our process is flowing. Whether this is your first time or not in counseling, it is important that you be open about how things are going. If you are new, I will explain the counseling process along the way. Remember that I am your guide to inspire you forward but you are always in charge of your healing journey. When life knocks us down, we all need a warm heart and safe space where we can sort things through. I am here to help, whether you are navigating life challenges, repairing relationships with yourself and others, healing loss, or building change resilience. Reaching out takes courage. A committed counseling journey leads to healing and peace. I could share that I trained with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and Virginia Satir. I would rather say that I listen to connect, not to judge or reject. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”-African Proverb. Reach out. Let’s explore, together!

Hello. My name is Michael Knapik and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Vermont. I am also certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors. I have been working in the mental health field since 2007. (Before pursuing this career, I was a professional journalist for 30 years.) My orientation is to focus on a client’s strengths, because I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives and that the role of therapy is most often to assist clients in fully recognizing and using those strengths. My approach to therapy is eclectic. I draw on resources and interventions from positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, emotional freedom techniques, solution-focused therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and family systems. I have experience working with those who are struggling with anxiety, stress, addictive disorders, grief and loss, end-of-life issues (I was a hospice volunteer for 16 years), depression, and self-harming behaviors. For today, my hope is that you have compassion for yourself. As Christopher Germer, a psychologist, has remarked: “A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life.”

I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia with over 10 years of experience. I am a mother and Army veteran with an extensive background and training in working with individuals with mental health issues as well as those that struggle with daily stress of relationships, work and depression. I specialize in providing services to individuals and families that are having difficulties managing stress and anxiety, struggling with coping skills, anxiety, depression, sexual abuse, combat, substance abuse, family and relational issues. I have a Doctorate in Mental Health Counseling and I am a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Specialties •Depression •Trauma and PTSD •Grief Issues •Anger Management •Anxiety •Career Counseling •Divorce •Dual Diagnosis •Ethnic/Cultural Issues •Life Transitions •Marital and Premarital •Relationship Issues •Stress •Substance Use •Women's Issues Mental Health •Personality Disorders Types of Therapy • Coaching • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) •Cognitive Processing (CPT) • Dialectical (DBT) • Family / Marital • Family Systems • Humanistic • Interpersonal • Motivational Interviewing • Multicultural • Narrative • Person-Centered • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) • Strength-Based •Structural Family Therapy • Trauma Focused Modality •Individuals •Couples •Family I look forward to working with you!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 37 years of experience. I have worked in a wide variety of settings and with a wide variety of issues. Many of my focus areas have been mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and trauma issues. I have been a clinical supervisor for several decades and utilize a recovery approach to my work. I work in a private group practice that work on a variety of issues including life adjustment and coping with stress. I have been a consultant doing trainings and program development. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and issues.

I began helping others in 1990 as a Peer Counselor while active duty in the Marine Corps. After earning degrees in Psychology and Social Work at UNCW/ECU, I obtained Licensure to practice independently with Virginia Board of Health Professionals in 2004. I am originally from the Hampton Roads area, but have enjoyed working internationally with people from many different backgrounds. I have 3 decades of experience treating trauma with effective, evidenced based modalities, such as CPT , PET, and EMDR. Whether through individual, couples , or Family therapy, I enjoy bringing others to their best version of themselves. I have a warm and practical approach, frequently using a holistic lens to offer practical techniques such as yoga, acupressure, and breathing techniques to alleviate symptoms. I have successfully treated most issues people experience with compassion, and positivity for the future.

Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to get into a career path that would make a difference in people’s lives. This interest led me to study psychology, Marriage and Family in particular, and eventually led to a full-time career. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the Tampa Bay area, I am committed to the well-being of all my clients and go above and beyond to cater to their needs. This has led me to becoming Adoption Competency Certified, a Nurturing Parenting Facilitator, Trauma-Informed, and introduced to Infant Mental Health! I truly care for all my clients and work diligently to help find them the answers they seek. Since 2016, I have worked with a variety of clients dealing with circumstances that are unique to their lives and continue to serve those in the community while continuing to remain knowledgeable of new approaches and tools that could be implemented for success!

Yes, family therapists work with individuals. In fact, most of the work I have done has been with individuals. It helps to hear “family therapy” as “systemic therapy.” Systemic therapists focus on how “big picture” factors (family, work, society) influence us and, thus, how we have to cope with them. My training has been both academic and from “the school of hard knocks.” In 2005, at age 40, I completed my PhD in child at family studies with an emphasis in counseling at the University Tennessee. I was taking a heavy course load, working two part-time jobs, and raising two young children. I consider my time as client at the student counseling center the most important part of my training. I completed my family therapy training at Good Shepherd Counseling Center under one of the earliest family therapists in Tennessee. I started by training as an undergraduate psychology major (and creative writing minor) at Carson-Newman University. I then went to seminary where I majored in pastoral counseling and worked as an aide at internationally known Norton Psychiatric Clinic. People describe me as down to earth. I grew up the son of teachers and grandson of farmers. I have baled hay, fed cattle, and spent a summer pulling steel from a 1500-degree furnace and driving a fork lift. I also was captain of my high school soccer team. If I’m not working, I’m riding my bike, watching a movie, reading a book, playing scrabble, hiking, canoeing, or refinishing furniture.

I am licensed clinical social worker in Virginia with over 15 years of professional experience. I have helped both teenage and adult clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem issues and depression. My treatment approach is client centered and humanistic. I specialize in methods such as DBT, CBT, motivational interviewing and solution focused talk. I understanding the importance of working thru a trauma informed lens and believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. I look forward to meeting you and hope we are good fit for one another.

Results driven former program administrator for mental health clinics in Texas and Iowa, licensed clinical social worker in Iowa and Texas (LCSW/LISW) . Subject matter expertise in public policy advocacy, community organizing, grant writing, budgeting, medical social work and case management with vulnerable adult and youth populations. Previously on Texas Council Board for Children's Special Initiatives. Love to present to groups on various trauma and mental health topics for CEU opportunities, excellent oral and written communicator highly skilled in developing and presenting curriculum, database management and ability to multitask and handle complex situations. I have worked at the VA and I have experience with military families, having been a part of my family of origin and my current family. Counseling modalities include CBT, Motivational Interviewing, OCD-ERP, Trauma Informed Care and Stages of Change.

I am licensed in Virginia with many years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.