I employ a warm and open type of communication. I want to create a place where you feel safe to share what is on your mind as well as secure enough in our therapeutic relationship to receive feedback and be challenged in ways you may need to be.

I’m passionate about creating a safe space for individuals who need someone to talk to, be supported, and need guidance in overcoming obstacles in their lives. If you’re struggling to manage feelings, thoughts, and/ or behaviors”, I can help you navigate these things and offer a path forward.”

Life is often full of challenges and therapy can be a welcomed support in coping with difficulties, building resilience, and creating happiness. I believe that individuals are best served by an integrative, strength-based approach. My office is a safe and confidential space to get to know yourself better, explore your needs, and develop strategies to support healing and growth.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a safe and genuine conversation. My role is to listen closely, help you feel understood, and work with you to uncover patterns that may be holding you back. I draw on both psychotherapy and psychiatry, so we can address the whole picture—your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and, when helpful, medication support. I value collaboration and tailor treatment to each person’s unique story and goals. My hope is that our work together not only eases current struggles but also helps you grow in ways that feel meaningful and lasting.

If you’re here, something likely feels off. Maybe you’re exhausted from holding things together, stuck in the same arguments, or feeling disconnected from yourself or the people you love. You might not know exactly what needs to change, but you know something does. I work with individuals and couples who want more than surface-level coping. My approach is honest, steady, and compassionate. Together, we slow things down enough to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. We look at patterns that keep you stuck, how they formed, and how to respond differently moving forward. Therapy with me is collaborative and active. I’ll listen carefully, ask direct questions when needed, and offer tools that fit your goals and values. I draw from relational and trauma-informed approaches, always shaping the work to you, not forcing you into a formula. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. We’ll take this one step at a time, building clarity, trust, and a stronger sense of connection along the way.

Elizabeth Peters is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 3 years of experience. She has had the privilege of working in crisis management, forensics, incarceration, and outpatient settings. She works with individuals ages 5 and up who have concerns including addiction, depression, anxiety, severe mental illness, and trauma.

"We are only as needy as our unmet needs" - John Bowlby At Matters of the Heart Counseling, we specialize in working with families parenting children from hard places (adoptionfoster care). We have a team of people ready to assess and provide a fully developed plan for working with your family. We utilize individual, family and couples therapy and also incorporate Neurofeedback as appropriate Matters of the Heart Counseling was established out of Karen's desire to provide, teach, and cultivate quality mental health counseling with an attachment focus to those specifically desiring a Christian faith-based perspective. All of our counselors have experience and specialized training to work with trauma and specifically, adoption. Many of our therapists can support a Christian perspective. Karen’s primary focus is to supervise and work with the team of therapists at Matters of the Heart Counseling to ensure quality services and therapy for all who enter our practice. Karen is specially trained in EMDR (through EMDRIA approved trainer), and Level II Certified Internal Family Systems therapist. Karen additionally utilizes the creative arts in her therapy through the use of art, sand tray, and other creative outlets as it is often difficult to find words for the experiences one has endured. Karen is a trained Neurofeedback technician, incorporating it into sessions. Karen closely supervises the clinicians on staff to impart her experience and cultivate their growth. Karen also enjoys being a speaker at conferences & has spoken on topics of adoption, self-injury, compassion fatigue, and trauma, Please contact Karen for her speaking fees.

Dr. Mary Ukpabi-Egbuniwe is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner with a combined 20 years of experience in practice management, advocacy for women and children, and patient care. She possesses a deep interest in addiction medicine and assists people in liberating themselves from dependency. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), adolescent psychiatry, anger, behavioral issues, bipolar, obsessive compulsion (OCD), sleep issues, stress, and PTSD.

I am a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner dedicated to delivering empathetic, research-driven care to individuals of all ages. I have worked with clients facing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), posttraumatic stress (PTSD), mood diagnoses, and other psychiatric conditions. Many individuals seek insight, emotional stability, and actionable strategies to navigate stressors, strengthen relationships, and regain a sense of control. I am particularly committed to empowering clients seeking deeper self-understanding, resilience, and working toward meaningful, lasting change.

I believe that the innate nature of human beings is to survive and be well, and that varying degrees of life experience and trauma create psychic structures that inhibit that natural process from occurring. My job is to help client's develop compassionate awareness for these structures that are no longer functional in their lives and help them to build tolerance for the underlying feelings being protected by these structures. And ultimately to help client's choose and develop healthier more functional thoughts, feelings and behaviors to expand their well being, life satisfaction and treat themselves with loving kindness.

Danielle Ginter is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Virginia, with over 7 years of experience assisting adults who need help coping with anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, trauma, and posttraumatic stress (PTSD).

Has the stress of everyday life become too overwhelming? Do you feel your emotions are running high and starting to negatively impact your relationships with others? Maybe you just don’t feel quite like yourself. Maybe you have tried to cope on your own, but nothing seems to make a meaningful, long-term impact. Now more than ever, people are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how they are supposed to care for their own needs while balancing relationships and busy schedules. Starting therapy can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! I believe finding a therapist who is the right fit is key to lasting change. After an initial consultation, we will start by taking the time to understand the challenges you are facing. We will explore your past and present experiences to better understand the patterns and emotions that have you feeling “stuck,” and we will collaborate on the best plan to help you push through the barriers keeping you in place. I offer a safe and supportive environment while providing a new perspective on issues you are encountering in order to guide you along your healing journey. Helping people live a more confident and empowered life is my passion. The road to growth, change, and healing can be a difficult one, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Call or email today for a consult, and together we can get started on your path to a better life!