Laura DeWitz, a Board Certified Physician Assistant, has been practicing in the Tidewater, Virginia area for over fifteen years. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Science and Biology from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Science from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1996, and a Master of Health Science Degree, Physician Assistant Studies, from Duke University in 2001. She has worked in both private and military Family Practice for over 15 years providing care for adolescents and adults presenting with psychological and emotional concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADD/ADHD.
Frank R. Kara, PA-C, MPA
Frank Kara, a Board Certified Physician Assistant, specializes in the outpatient treatment of depression, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. He is a 2014 graduate from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA with a Master of Physician Assistant degree. He has previously earned a Master of Business Administration degree through the University of West Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts, Economics degree through the University of Colorado. He served more than 20 years in the US Navy as a Naval Flight Officer and retired from active service as a Commander.
Aline Studstill, FNP-RN RCCHC
Aline Studstill is a board certified nurse practitioner (AANP) who specializes in treating children, adolescents and adults. She is passionate about providing quality, compassionate and comprehensive mental health services. Her specialization is treating depression, anxiety and ADHD with a holistic and individualized approach. Aline completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Psychology, Portuguese, and Spanish at Vanderbilt University. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Prior to working as a nurse practitioner, she organized free medical clinics in underserved populations and worked with victims of human trafficking in Brazil. Aline is married to a Navy veteran and mother to Kai (age 16), Jonas (age 14), Giovanni (age 10) and Pepper (a mischievous 3 years old labradoodle). She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and enjoys working with a diverse population. Her hobbies include yoga, painting, traveling and cooking.
Kristyn D. Fox, AGNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Kristyn D. Fox has been providing medical care to the Hampton Roads community for over 20 years. She is a dual certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in the treatment of young adults through advanced age. Kristyn strives to provide a caring, compassionate, and non-judgmental atmosphere, encouraging a trusting and therapeutic relationship. A relationship that provides support and education helping the individual identify and understand mental health and together obtain the goal of a healthy, well-balanced quality of life. Kristyn obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from South University, specializing in Adult Gerontology. She later earned her post master’s certification in Psychiatric Mental Health at Liberty University. Kristyn believes in the holistic approach to treatment, encouraging a healthy lifestyle by treating the mind, body and soul. Kristyn believes that listening, and working as a team, the provider and the patient, is an integral part of promoting optimal mental health.
Karen Morris, PA-C, MPA
Karen Morris, a Board Certified Physician Assistant, specializes in the outpatient treatment of bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, perinatal mood disorders, ADHD, OCD, and insomnia disorders. She completed her training with Eastern Virginia Medical School and obtained a Master of Physician Assistant degree. Her undergraduate studies included exercise physiology and she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Karen practices evidence-based medicine, while also appreciating that everyone is unique and deserves an individual treatment plan that fits their needs. She has a strong passion for mental health and always advocates for her patients
Lynette Widgeon-Hammonds, L.C.S.W.
Telehealth telephone appointments available
Dr. Emilio Cortes, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist for the State of Virginia and Pureto Rico. He completed his Doctoral in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from Ponce School of Medicine in Ponce, Pureto Rico. Dr. Cortes was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. He was initially licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Puerto Rico. He worked as part of the treatment team with Partial Hospitalization Program for San Juan Capestrano Psychiatric Hospital conducting Group Therapy sessions. In addition, he worked as part of a Psychiatric Private Practice Group doing individual therapy. Dr. Cortes has been working in the Hampton Roads area since 2010. He has mainly been working with an adult (18+) population performing Individual, Couples, Marriage and Family Therapy.
Telehealth telephone appointments
Sandy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years experience helping adults achieve health and wholeness. She has had advanced training through Liberty University in Christian Counseling, Stress and Trauma and Addictions. She also has 8 years experience leading a Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training group for adults. She specializes in working with adults with PTSD, Borderline life Personality Disorder, Addictions, Abuse and Trauma issues, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Grief, and life transitions. She is a member of American Association of Christian Counselors and The National Association of Christian Social Workers.
Jean Crawford, Ed.D.
Dr. Jean Crawford Ed.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Marriage & Family Therapist. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Crawford has the ability to address and treat Anxiety, Depression, PTSD & Trauma, Grief & Loss, Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Abuse. Her work with individuals and couples involves interpersonal communication which she taught as adjunct faculty for Old Dominion University and also as the counselor for the various health care programs at the Sentara College of Health Sciences. Her style is a blend of traditional psychology with a basis in Depth Psychology (Jungian) and Expressive Arts (Guided Imagery and Music; Helen Bonny Method in which she is a Fellow) and Energy Psychology strategies that engage the whole person. Her Holistic approach to counseling also incorporates principles of Health and Well Being. Dr. Crawford practices Yoga, loves to dance, listen to music and swim in the ocean.
Sandra Jarvis, L.C.S.W.
Sandra Jarvis, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of service. She is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in Human Services Counseling. she holds a master's degree from Norfolk State University in Clinical Social Work. She was a therapist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth for 13years, treating military service members and their familes for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and PTSD. During her tenure at Naval Medical Center Portsmout, she was a member of the team treating service members who were diagnosed with PTSD. Ms. Jarvis also taught clinical social work at Norfolk State University. Now in private practice, she works with adlts and children(ages 11 years and older) experiencing problems with depression, anxiety, perinatal mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her experience also includes work at Tidewater AIDS Crisis Taskforce, and therapeutic foster care.
Nilima Nirmul, Psy.D.
Dr. Nirmul is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in the individual treatment of adolescent and adult clients. Dr. Nirmul has over 13 years of experience in providing psychodynamic counseling in the Chesapeake area. She also has experience in conducting mental health evaluations in her role as a Independent Examiner to the Norfolk and Virginia Beach courts. Dr. Nirmul completed her undergraduate training at Tufts University in the Boston area, and her graduate training at Widener University in the Philadelphia area. She lives in Chesapeake with her husband of 20 years and their 3 children. She enjoys working with women's issues, middle school and high school adjustment issues, identity issues and employs an eclectic mixture of therapeutic approaches in order to tailor her work to best suit her individual client's needs.
Wendy Coffield, Ph.D.
Dr. Coffield is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing in the Tidewater, Virginia area for over thirty years. She graduated from the State University of NY at Stony Brook, with honors, and also has a Master's degree in Cognitive Development from the University of Rochester, and Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University. She specializes in working with adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and issues related to everyday life adjustments, relationship problems, and transitions.
Marlene Judith Adams, M.S., L.P.C.,LMFT
Marlene is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist who has been in private practice for over 30 years. She enjoys helping people develop their full potential, experience growth and find personal fulfillment. She has helped many individuals, couples and families gain a better understanding of how to set goals, communicate more effectively and develop a deeper understanding of how to maximize their potential. Marlene specializes in women's issues, couples therapy, depression, anxiety, stress management and abuse recovery. She is also a holistically oriented and open to exploring spiritual issues if the client so desires.
Mathias C. Soucek, M.A., M.S., Psy.D.
Mathias graduated with both a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Master's Degree in Human Development from Virginia Tech University. He completed his Doctoral training at Regent University, and specializes in psychological assessment and evaluations.
Elizabeth McGinnis, LPC, LMFT
Elizabeth McGinnis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked as a counselor in the Hampton Roads area for more than 30 years helping adult individuals and couples realize hope, healing, and growth that lead to healthier more fulfilling lives. Elizabeth has years of experience in working with the military and military families. She specializes in couples’ therapy, domestic abuse recovery, anger management, relationship issues, grief, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addictions, women’s issues, and concerns related to the stress of life. If requested, Elizabeth is happy to work with clients who want to include matters of the Christian faith and life into the counseling experience.
Arlene L. Brown, Psy. D.
https: //doxy.me/drjlbrown
Dr. Brown is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Brown earned a Masters in Urban Administration from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia before earning Masters and Doctor of Clinical Psychology degrees from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She completed her clinical training at Hillside Family of Agencies: Crestwood Children’s Center in Rochester, New York. Dr. Brown entered the mental health field after working for several years with emotionally troubled children and adolescents, and in therapeutic foster care. She decided to help individuals develop more satisfying relationships, assist with the obstacles they encounter in life, and guide them toward making the changes they desire to accomplish their goals. Over the years since earning her terminal degree, she has developed a diverse experience, treating a wide variety of issues; including child & adolescent concerns, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, adjustment issues, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and trauma.
Amanda Park, M.S., LPC
https://doxy.me/amandafaganlpc
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider and Nationally Certified Counselor who has been practicing in Hampton Roads area for several years. Her experience includes providing individual, family, and group therapy to children and adolescents in a residential setting working whom mostly have been committed by the Department of Juvenile Justice due to sexually harmful/reactive behaviors as well as co-occurring mood disorders, as well as working with adult registered sex offenders in correctional and outpatient settings.
Amanda graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology (with an emphasis in Substance Abuse Treatment) and Masters degree in Counseling from Regent University with a Graduate Certificate in Trauma Counseling. She also has certifications as a Compassion Fatigue Therapist, Compassion Fatigue Educator and Field Traumatologist through The Green Cross Academy of Traumatology.
Amanda’s areas of treatment vary greatly and include: Mood Disorders, Women’s Issues, Sexual Abuse/Trauma Recovery, Relapse Prevention, Sex Offender Specific Treatment, Substance Abuse/Addiction, and Life Transitions/Adjustment to Change. Amanda believes that counseling is individualized and her approach to treatment utilizes, but is not limited to: cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, structured family therapy, problem-solving and strengths-based therapy.
Pamela Billing, LPC
Ms. Billing has worked in various segments of the mental health field since her undergraduate years at the University of California, Davis. It was through this early experiences that she was able to first witness the liberty and joy that clients could derive from emotional healing and behavioral success. She was fortunate to be able to continue to pursue a career in professional counseling through a seminary program at Oral Roberts University where she graduated with high honors. She finds great satisfaction in assisting others to work through painful memories and thought distortions that decrease ones ability to live their lives to the fullest capacity.
Ms. Billing practices individual, couples, family and group counseling of adolescents, adults and seniors. Her training and experience include the treatment of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, victimization and abuse, divorce, grief and loss issues and anger and stress management. Her practice style is integrative drawing from a cognitive behavioral framework supported by additional techniques and theoretical perspectives. Ms. Billing is able to incorporate elements of Judeo-Christian theology into treatment for clients who request it.
The initial office visit will include an intake review and a general assessment of the client's most pressing concerns. Expectations, goals, methods, office procedures and client questions will also be addressed. An individualized treatment plan will be constructed in collaboration with each client that will be reviewed regularly and tailored towards meeting constructive, identified goals.
Deborah Linnell, Ph.D., LPC
Dr. Deborah Linnell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Rehabilitation Provider and is board certified as an Expert in Traumatic Stress and Disability Trauma through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She believes in helping people manage their lives across the various systems affecting their, and their family’s lives with a specialization in helping people negotiate the effects of learning to live with chronic health issues including serious injuries, illnesses, and acquired disabilities. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, earning a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2001, dual MA degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and Criminal Justice in 1996 and dual BA degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology in 1986. Her research has focused on injury and disability issues facing first responders and crime victims. She has taught at the University of Maryland College Park (Counseling and Personnel Services and Criminal Justice Departments), Illinois State University (Criminal Justice Department), Argosy University at Schaumburg (Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Counseling Program), and Webster University (Military Services Division). She has worked as a first responder and has been deployed numerous times to provide disaster-related mental health services. She serves as a consultant to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children where she has reviewed 6,000+ cold case missing child investigations, worked on a team reuniting families following Hurricane Katrina, and has provided numerous community education programs related to issues facing missing and exploited children.
Kathryn Froede, LPC
Kathryn Froede is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has worked in the Hampton Roads area for over 20 years helping children, adolescents, and adults realize hope, healing and growth. Kathryn completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and has a master's degree from Liberty University. Kathryn specializes in helping clients with a wide variety of issues, relationship difficulties, life transitions, autism, ADHD, anger management, domestic violence, and trauma.
Walter Johnson, LPC
Mr. Johnson’s goal is to help you become the best version of yourself and assist you in achieving goals that are important to you. He provides a safe and non- judgmental space to discuss things that may be difficult to verbalize. He works with patients 13 and up and treats mental, behavioral, emotional problems and disorders. He has a demonstrated track record of success working with patients dealing with anxiety/panic and phobia disorders, depression, grief/loss, abuse and trauma issues, relationship conflicts, adolescent behavioral problems, stress management , self esteem, OCD, and alcohol /substance abuse and dependency. He uses an eclectic approach rooted in a variety of evidenced based practices with primary usage being a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. He works best with patients looking for feedback and who enjoy being compassionately challenged. He also works with the LGBTQ+ population.
He has found that using an individualized approach with patients leads to the best outcome. He uses a conversational approach and provides a warm, empathetic environment while confronting ineffective thinking when appropriate. He believes that the therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance. Ultimately, Mr. Johnson’s desire for each person he works with is to provide both symptom relief as well as personal growth.
Angela Coleman, LPC
Angela is a mental health counselor providing services for adults and teenagers, as well as children ages five to twelve when her schedule permits. She holds a Master’s of Arts in Counseling Degree from Liberty University. Angela values a holistic approach to healing and well-being. She is willing to promote resources and provide networking services to also embrace the spiritual and physical wellness of an individual, as they impact emotional and
mental wellness. This includes the opportunity to incorporate prayer and physical movement into sessions as part of one’s healing journey, if appropriate and desired by the client. Angela connects with local pastors, ministries, nutritionists, doctors, and other “healers” to form a
networking base helpful for clientele. Angela provides an environment conducive to promote the freedom for each individual to gain
spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Addressing these four components ofhealing is needed in order to live and embrace life to its fullest. Incorporating the spiritual in our sessions includes prayer and relevant spiritual topics in the therapeutic dialogue if desirable to
the client. Nutritional considerations and physical movement, also if desired by the client, can be incorporated into the therapeutic process.
Angela sees the value of a healthy mind and stable emotions to bring more satisfaction, wholeness in relationships, joy and peace into daily life. Angela has the training and experience necessary to provide strategies and techniques that bring health and wholeness to the mind,
will, and emotions. Cognitive Behavioral, Client Centered, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Techniques are often incorporated into sessions, to include other evidence-based therapeutic modalities depending on the needs of the individual.
Diane Ominski, LMFT
Diane is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Diane received her Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with and emphasis in Marketing from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Diane is dedicated to your well-being and uses an integrative approach to therapy utilizing therapies such as Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Diane has extensive training and experience with individual and family therapy, social difficulties, relationship stress, women’s issues, life transitions, emotional regulation issues, low self-esteem, child and adolescent behavioral disorders, grief and loss, ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, and establishing healthy boundaries in relationships.
Diane’s goal is to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients can feel heard and understood. Diane believes that healing involves the mind, body and spirit and will include spiritual practices such as prayer, mindfulness, and meditation if requested by client. Diane will help you to navigate your unique life circumstances and help you to reach your personal goals.