I believe in building a relationship of trust and support. You are not a problem to be fixed but a person to be empowered.

I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about their struggles. I provide empathy and exploratory questions to develop a shared understanding of their struggles and goals for therapy.

I am William Watson, a Licensed Social Worker Supervisee with 2 years of experience in Virginia. Shaped by a working-class, single-parent upbringing, I bring lived experience and strong clinical training to my work. I support adolescents and adults facing depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), stress, and life transitions. My goal is to offer steady guidance and practical support as a respectful partner who values honesty, feedback, and collaboration.

One of my favorite quotes is: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." To me, life is a journey. There will be many bumps, bruises, and obstacles along the way. That's okay. It's how you overcome those hurdles that count. Some need more assistance than others on this journey, and that's okay too. My approach is to promote healing and personal growth and development along this journey called life. I do not claim to have all of the answers. I believe that everyone is the expert of their own lives. My role is to assist you with getting out of your own way and discovering the path that you want to follow.

As your therapist and coach, my focus is to assist you in overcoming the stuck points in your life and embracing the possibilities ahead. I draw from an eclectic set of approaches, including grief and loss specialization, trauma-informed therapy, DBT, CBT, ACT, and relational healing to support you on your healing journey. Transform your life by releasing the hold your past has on your present and future. I emphasize the importance of your overall wellness, the strength found in community, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries in all your relationships. My approach is relaxed, warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental, ensuring a space where you can truly be yourself.

Are you feeling worn down by a mind that won’t slow down—racing thoughts, replaying conversations, or emotions that keep pulling you back into anxiety, sadness, or anger? You may function well on the outside, yet inside feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to change what keeps repeating. Therapy with me focuses on understanding—not fixing—so real change can begin from the inside out. We slow things down and look at what’s happening beneath the surface: how your thoughts, emotions, and nervous system are responding, and how old patterns may still be shaping your present. From there, we work toward practical shifts—helping you respond differently, feel more grounded, and regain a sense of steadiness in your daily life. I am the founder of Brave Within Counseling, a group practice built on trauma-informed, compassionate care. Our team is made up of clinicians with their own areas of focus, including trauma and EMDR therapy, ADHD, sleep-related concerns, and specific diagnoses and symptom patterns. Most of our counselors are EMDR-trained, allowing us to offer depth-oriented trauma work alongside practical, skills-based support. When you reach out, we take care to match you with a counselor whose specialty best fits what you’re going through. Whether you work directly with me or with one of our clinicians, you can expect care that is thoughtful, collaborative, and paced with respect for your readiness. At Brave Within Counseling, we focus on helping you understand yourself more clearly, reduce internal struggle, and move forward with greater confidence and emotional steadiness. If you’re ready to feel less stuck and more supported, we’d be honored to walk with you.

Sophia Strydom is a Supervisee in Clinical Social Work and has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She supports adults and families dealing with depression, anxiety, borderline personality challenges, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), loss and grief, stress, relationship stress, coping skills, life changes, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), abuse, and trauma.

Shanita King-Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisee who is passionate about promoting self-efficacy, resilience, and positive change. She was inspired to study social work after working in hospital settings with people from various backgrounds. Shanita supports people who are dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and building coping skills.

Bailey Doggett is a Resident in Counseling in Virginia with two years of experience in the mental health field. She helps children and young adults who are struggling with behavioral issues, family conflict, life transitions, trauma, and grief. Bailey also has a background in sport and exercise psychology and is deeply committed to supporting individuals dealing with performance anxiety. She has worked alongside coaches and trainers at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletics programs to support athletes and their families.

Life has a way of presenting challenges that can leave us feeling uncertain, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from who we want to be. Therapy offers an opportunity to slow down, gain clarity, and create meaningful change. I believe every person has the ability to grow, adapt, and overcome obstacles, and I consider it a privilege to support clients as they move toward greater confidence and emotional well-being. Since entering the mental health field, I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, behavioral challenges, and major life transitions. Whether you're facing a recent hardship or have been carrying emotional burdens for years, my goal is to help you better understand yourself while developing practical tools to navigate life's challenges. I view counseling as a partnership built on trust, curiosity, and respect. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I work collaboratively with clients to explore the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that influence how they think, feel, and respond to life's circumstances. Together, we will identify realistic goals and celebrate progress, no matter how small. My therapeutic style is encouraging, thoughtful, and solution-oriented. I draw from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, strengths-based counseling, and trauma-informed practices to create an individualized approach that meets your specific needs and goals. I don't believe therapy is about having all the answers. It's about discovering new perspectives, building healthier habits, and learning to approach life's challenges with greater resilience and self-compassion. My hope is that our work together leaves you feeling more empowered, more self-aware, and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

Ashley Floyd is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisee with 2 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in supporting individuals through depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, substance use, and life transitions. Ashley was inspired to return to school to study social work after spending 12 years in retail and meeting a wide variety of diverse people. She has worked with clients with intersectional identities, including LGBTQIA+ people, neurodivergent people, and people in recovery. As a believer in flexible treatment, Ashley tailors her approach to each individual.

Carl Brown is a Resident in Counseling who has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. Mr. Brown has experience working with adults with serious mental illness (SMI), as well as children and families who have experienced trauma, a range of mental health diagnoses, and legal and socioeconomic concerns. His professional career began with District 19 Community Services Board (CSB) as a qualified mental health professional working in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Day Program. There, he was primarily responsible for training and supporting individuals with serious mental illness in developing independent living skills.