I prefer my clients to feel like someone is listening to them, my environment is relaxed and nonjudgmental.

My communication style is warm, collaborative, and focused on your unique needs and goals. I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to process your experiences and emotions.

"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.

Relationships are an essential part of our existence as humans. Whether it’s friendship, romance, or family that’s causing you to question yourself, experience anxiety, or feel overwhelmed, it’s important to ask intentional questions and find meaning in the experience. This is where I come in. I believe that the connection we forge as client and therapist is a powerful tool in achieving your goals. I want to hear everything you have to tell me, and will offer an open, unbiased, nonjudgmental presence to help you heal. I have experience working with women living through anxiety and grief. The meaning we make of events determines our perspective. It doesn’t matter how momentous or insignificant the things we’re wrestling with seem - they can still have a tremendous impact on our understanding of ourselves and the world. My goal is to help you sift through the thoughts and feelings you have so that you can keep what is helpful and discard what is not. We’ll be examining unhelpful beliefs, critical thoughts, or unrealistic expectations. This deep, purposeful work will help you shape the meaning of your life. My job is not to fix you or load you up with advice. I let you bring whatever is concerning you to our sessions. Through various techniques like mindfulness, thought-challenging, and building awareness of your emotions you’ll learn how to cope with the things that are overwhelming you. Often we react - and it's unhelpful. I'll work to help you create a space within yourself to choose a response that's helpful. I will gently guide you through the tough experiences you are having by equipping you to face them while reserving the space you need to process them.

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).

I take a holistic approach that incorporates mind, body, and spirit. I believe it's important to integrate life meaning into counseling. I respect all faith backgrounds (including none), work within personal belief frameworks, and have appreciation for alternative paths as well as mainstream religions. I'll work with you to set goals and the proper pacing of therapy. Therapy is a collaboration, as ultimately the power to change rests within you. I emphasize unconditional positive regard, respect, a safe and caring therapeutic relationship, individual strengths, and taking control over choices.

You’re the strong one, the one others rely on, pushing through everything. You’re wondering how much longer you can hold it together when it feels like your relationships, your life, are coming apart. You may feel like a failure for asking for help yourself. But you’re not willing to give up on your goals for your life and those relationships that are so important. You want to do more than just get through life. You want to get rid of the mental load you’ve been carrying and feel free to enjoy those moments in life that are really important. I get it. I’m a former paramedic and pastor, a current business owner and single mom, and a therapist. I’m happy to meet with you for a free 15-minute consult to see if we’d be a good fit for therapy. I work with clients in person or via telehealth. You can contact me here or visit our website to learn more.

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.

Claudette Gadson is currently a Supervisee in Social Work (SISW) Resident of the State of Virginia with years of experience. She treats clients of all ages and specializes in depression, grief, trauma, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, and suicidalhomicidal ideation.

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 believe in the strength and resiliency of the human spirit and consider it an honor to work with people on a daily basis. My job is to create a safe and nurturing environment so that each individual feels comfortable and supported as they work on their personal goals. Everyone's goals are as different as the individuals themselves, and in order to honor that individuality, my approach is eclectic and personalized to each person. I always encourage and welcome feedback in order to continually ensure that the techniques being used are effective and keep progress moving in a positive direction.

I believe in meeting each client where they are. There is not one way to help someone resolve a problem in their life. I believe in helping my clients find the right path that works for them and following along beside them to provide wisdom in their lives to take the next steps and make better choices. A mental health professional should go above and beyond for their clients and I believe in this whole heartedly. My motto is "get me in your life and out of your life quickly so that you can live happy!"