Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose primary goal is to bridge the gap between caregivers and their children, helping to improve relationships and create a more peaceful and connected home. Melissa specializes in providing family therapy and supporting caregivers who are struggling to figure out how to best meet their child’s behavioral or mental health needs.

The caregivers she supports often face issues such as:

• Verbal and physical aggression
• Destruction of property
• Youth substance use
• Truancy/school refusal
• High levels of anxiety
• Chronic suicidality/self-injury

Melissa also specializes in supporting caregivers who want to increase their parental teamwork, including those who are separated and are working to establish a positive co-parenting relationship.

In addition to supporting caregivers, Melissa provides counseling services to children and adolescents who are struggling to meet expectations at home and/or school, often due to difficulties with emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Melissa is also a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and works with children and adults who have experienced loss, as well as those struggling with substance use disorders.

Arielle (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centered, and identity-affirming care. She is a double Radford Alum, earning a BS in Psychology and English in 2014 and her MS in Counselor Education in 2016.

Arielle has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services. Arielle works primarily with adults but has worked with individuals of all ages. She has experience with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression and mood disorders, LGBT issues, grief and loss, interpersonal difficulties, substance abuse, women’s issues, serious mental illnesses, and co-occurring disorders.

Arielle is committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can freely express your unfiltered thoughts and feelings. Arielle’s approach to counseling is eclectic, integrating methodologies that include person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.

Take the courageous step toward self-discovery and healing by reaching out.

Chloe is a Graduate of Radford University Counselor Education Program and is a Resident in Counseling. She believes everyone should have a safe and healing place to work through life’s difficulties. Chloe works from a collaborative, client centered, strengths-based approach; assisting and supporting clients to be the author of their own lives. All of this is done while keeping careful consideration of cultural concerns and practices. Chloe has experience with working with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, trauma-related diagnoses, and other life experiences.

Chloe sees the client as the true “expert” in their own life and she sees herself as a guide along the way. She likes to use humor, authenticy and genuine regard in the therapy process, which clients appreciate. Chloe is accepting new clients. She specializes in adults and adolescents 16 and older. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Life’s challenges often make us feel lost or stuck and I believe that therapy is the best starting point for drawing a new and improved road map. My primary goal is to help my clients remove the barriers to self-acceptance and make choices that are in their best interest to lead a fulfilling and self-directed life.

I use a Cognitive-Behavioral approach and Mindfulness based strategies, and also tailor interventions and techniques to meet my clients’ needs. I work with adults (18+) and I can help with a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

In my view, it is important to build a strong alliance with my clients. We will work together to understand the origin of your issues and learn new ways to solve problems and overcome obstacles. We will use practical tools and coping skills, and take actions needed to achieve your goals. Reach out to me if you are ready for a change.

Deanna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech and Master of Social Work from Radford University.

Deanna offers a holistic approach taking into consideration all facets of an individuals’ life experience, providing a compassionate and nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their inner world. Deanna utilizes a person-centered and strengths based approach to empower and encourage individuals’ to remember their strengths and resiliencies.

Deanna has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, interpersonal relationship difficulties, self esteem, trauma/ PTSD, mood disorders, serious mental illness, and substance use difficulties.

Deanna utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy Techniques, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing.

Deanna is accepting new clients and looks forward to serving you.

Makenna strives to create a safe and secure place for clients to explore, process, and heal. Makenna maintains a trauma-informed and attachment-focused perspective. Makenna is trained in EMDR therapy and utilizes this along with IFS, CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused counseling techniques within a humanistic, collaborative counseling relationship. Her counseling approach aims to help clients discover their underlying resiliencies, identify and honor their attachment needs, and experience satisfying relationships.

Makenna has experience with a variety of issues including depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, self-esteem, PTSD and C-PTSD, adjustment disorders, life transitions, couples’ issues, parent-child relationships, foster and adoptive families, and trauma and attachment issues.

Makenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Radford University. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and families in therapeutic day treatment and intensive in-home settings and adults and couples in the outpatient setting.

Makenna is accepting adults and couples at this time.

Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University and Master of Social Work from Radford University. Erin is a resident in counseling who began working with adolescents during her internship while completing her undergraduate degree in North Carolina, and then moved to adult populations after moving to Virginia.

Erin has over 10 years of experience working with individuals with mental health disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Erin’s work experience includes residential treatment settings, mental health skill building, crisis services, and supervision of ID/DD waiver services in Virginia. Erin also has internship experiences with intimate partner violence and sexual assault, as well as behavioral needs for individuals with disabilities.
In therapy, Erin utilizes a variety of social work theories and therapy models to provide a holistic approach to treatment. Erin implements a strengths-based approach while also ensuring her practice remains person-centered. Erin welcomes adolescents and adults to her practice.

Areas of Interest and experience include:

• Anxiety
• Behavioral Needs
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• PTSD
• Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault
• Relationships
• Social Skills
• Self-Esteem
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for both mental health disorders and individuals with intellectual disabilities

Erin is currently a Supervisee in Social Work under the supervision of our Executive Director Angela McGoldrick, LPC. Erin is accepting new clients.

Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor, whose experience includes working with various populations ranging from children to adults, utilizing a Person-Centered approach to wellness.
Lisa believes in the power of the individual to bring about their potential of living a full and rewarding life. Lisa’s clinical approach is holistic-based with an emphasis on the mind-body connection.
Lisa has collaborated with individuals and families alike, to address childhood developmental needs to substance abuse and addiction. She specializes in the treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Self-Esteem Issues, and other co-occurring disorders.
Lisa has worked in residential and in-patient settings, as well as therapeutic day treatment in the home and school settings. She is trained in a variety of treatment modalities, including, but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Dialectical Behavior Therapy; and Motivational Interviewing.

Donna believes in increasing personal strengths and resilience through a person-centered and creative approach to therapy. She is passionate about helping clients achieve their desired therapy goals.

Donna is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She graduated with a degree in Counselor Education from Radford University in 2011. Donna has over 10 years of experience providing counseling to children, adolescents and their families. She has a background in outpatient counseling and crisis counseling services.

Donna has experience using the following treatment modalities; Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interactive Therapy and play therapy, use of art as therapy, and sand tray therapy.

Donna has experience working with children and adolescents in the following areas;

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Adjustment to life changes
• Self-harm
• Social skills
• Impulsivity
• Self-esteem

Donna also works with adults seeking help addressing depression, anxiety and/or adjustment to life changes.

Jenny has been a resident counselor at Life in Balance since April 2018. She holds a Masters degree in Professional Counseling, has a passion for helping others and takes a holistic approach to counseling. She works with children, adolescents and adults with a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, life changes, self-esteem, ADHD, social skills and relationships struggles. Jenny practices a person centered approach where the client feels, safe, valued and understood. She provides help with coping skills and problem solving strategies to help the client feel empowered and confident. She implements cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and supportive therapy to walk alongside the client through the process of transformation. Jenny accepts Medicaid and self-pay clients at this time.