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Behavior Issues
Susan Best, LCSW

Susan Best, LCSW

Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field, working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addiction, and a host of other issues. She received her Master’s in Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Susan works with adults aged 21 and older, providing a safe, non-judgmental space and utilizing cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, and solution-focused interventions. For those with Christian faith, she incorporates a worldview based on God’s character of loving-kindness, compassion, and restoration. She looks forward to working with you in your journey towards growth and healing.

Tera Keating, LMHP-R

Tera Keating, LMHP-R

Tera is a Licensed Resident in Counseling who received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University. She has previously served in the U.S. Navy as a nurse specializing in women’s wellness.

Tera has experience counseling women across the lifespan through the various stages and issues that today’s women face. Treating the whole person, adolescence through the golden years, with a foundation of clinical expertise and Biblical faithfulness, Tera will walk beside you in your healing journey providing hope, compassion, and helpful strategies and tools. Tera has experience with grief, bereavement, and loss, pregnancy and mood disorders, sexual integrity and wholeness, career counseling, counseling individuals and family members affected by disability, chronic or terminal illness, counseling those entering ministry and ministry spouses, military and family members, healthcare workers, law enforcement and first responders, moral injury, abandonment, and social anxiety.

Tera is married and has four children. When she isn’t counseling, she enjoys spending time with her family. She loves the outdoors, kayaking, hiking, and camping.

Tiffany McCann, LPC, CRC, PBS-F

Tiffany McCann, LPC, CRC, PBS-F

My name is Tiffany. Many times in life, we can benefit from support in working through challenges, changes, adjustments, and situations, and having someone to listen makes all the difference. Having worked in mental health for many years, I am passionate about supporting you through your challenges. My focus area is trauma work, but have a passion for meeting you where you are, and helping you consider your own strengths, goals, and perspective as you work to move forward.

Zach  Clinton, LMHP-R

Zach Clinton, LMHP-R

Zach Clinton, M.A. (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) is a resident counselor here at Light Counseling. He is also a doctoral student in Counselor Education & Supervision at Liberty University. A former Division 1 college baseball player and now chaplain of the Liberty University Baseball team, Zach is recognized as a growing authority and voice on performance and mental health for today’s generations. He also currently works and serves at the American Association of Christian Counselors, Host of the Built Different Podcast, and President & Host of the Ignite Men’s Ministry. Zach loves working with and speaking into the lives of the next generation as he has a passion for helping them build self-esteem, emotion regulation, leadership qualities, and perspective shifts. He has dedicated his life to reminding people that no matter how dark, difficult, or painful life can be, they are never out of the fight! Zach is also thrilled to have recently married his wife, Evelyn Jane!

Martha Meadows, LCSW

Martha Meadows, LCSW

Martha Meadows is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia State, University, where she majored in Social Work, and earned her masters degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in Social Work. For 30 years, she served a fulfilling time with Henrico Mental Health Services as a clinical case manager and clinician. Martha worked diligently to problem solve and seek the most appropriate solutions for a wide range and age of clients (ages 14-80).
She expresses that her goal is to utilize the sum of her positive experiences in order to be a flickering candle that illuminates the pathway for clients. Martha believes that human warmth, understanding, and compassion work to foster clients security, wellbeing, and personal prosperity. Personal counseling has been her life’s work and the legacy she wishes to leave to her fellow man and brothers and sisters in Christ. As she looks back on her career, she feels a resounding sense of personal satisfaction.
Martha was born and raised in Forest, VA, and enjoyed Sunday school and choir growing up in the church. She was named after and strongly influenced by her aunt, who was a minister and pastor, and inspired to have deep love and reverence for God. In her free time, she has also been able to pay it forward as a Youth Advisor.

Matthew Scott, LMFT

Matthew Scott, LMFT

Matthew has had over 18 years experience collectively working in Clinical Settings, Residential Treatment Facilities, Home Visiting Programs, Outpatient Hospital Mental Health Facilities and Christian Based Counseling Services.

As a Mental Health professional, he has had over 10 years experience specifically in clinical settings working in both Outpatient and Chrisitan based counseling services. Matthew co-lead a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Program for Adolescents and Adults working for an Outpatient Mental Health Facility in NY State for 2 years. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a modified type of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Its main goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. He also has experience practicing in a Chrisitan Based Counseling Center based out of a Baptist Church in Upstate NY where his Father was the Senior Pastor for 24 years. He was able to see first hand as a Pastor’s son the impact healthy relationships can have on others’ overall functioning through radical genuineness, acceptance, validation and being non-judgemental with those you work with.

Matthew is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and works with Individuals, Families , Adolescents, Children and Couples. Matthew works closely with clients to address issues related to depression, anxiety, marital issues or conflict, relationship issues, parent child relationships, parenting issues, stress, trauma/abuse, addictions, mood dysregulation, post traumatic stress disorder, codependency, anger and maladaptive thinking. As an MFT, he works systemically which means he considers his clients’ lives and the problems they present in therapy through a biopsychosocial lens. This means taking into account their mind, their body, and their relationships, and how all of these things affect each other. MFT’S believe we are shaped by where we come from and that informs so much of what we do in other relationships. Matthew utilizes various methods such as CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Insight Oriented, Psychodynamics and Family Systems approaches to help clients reach and achieve their best self and work towards their life worth living goals.

Licenses & Certifications

● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Virginia)

● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (New York)

● Intensively Trained DBT Therapist

Neil  Hertzler, MHC-P

Neil Hertzler, MHC-P

It’s a New Year, is it time for a new you? I’m here to help you make those changes. Students, Parents, or end of career changes. Your life is a unique journey; sometimes we need help at times. My goal as your therapist is to join you on your journey, offer you the help you need; now, get you back to being you, and disconnect when you are back on your feet. We all have anxiety and depression. If you are looking for someone to go deeper in life’s issues with you I am ready to take on that challenge beside you!

Transition is my specialty. I have helped people from early career to end of career decisions, and all of the life struggles in between. There are not many concerns I have not helped someone address. Parents of adult children. Toxic work environments.
If you currently need someone to jump in and assist you with these changes for a brief period, I am the therapist you need. The skills I teach are lifelong, you can take them with you.

Phylicia Jemmott, LMHP-R

Phylicia Jemmott, LMHP-R

Phylicia Jemmott is a dedicated Resident in Counseling, holding an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and a BS in Psychology from Fort Hays State University. With a rich background in clinical practice, including an internship at Christian Counseling Associates, Phylicia provides compassionate care under the guidance of Virginia-Board-of-Counseling-approved supervision. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults, offering support for challenges such as depression, anxiety, OCD, negative self-talk, and emotional regulation.

Phylicia is a military brat with experience in working with military families, both active and retired. She aspires to be a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) and a Certified Depression & Mood Disorder Treatment Professional (CDMDTP) in the near future. She assists her clients with a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). Phylicia is available virtually and in person at Glen Allen or Chesterfield.

Reanna Burch, LMHP-S

Reanna Burch, LMHP-S

I graduated from Radford University with my MSW (Master of Social Work) in 2020. I have worked previously as an AmeriCorps State and National member for a non-profit agency in the New River Valley facilitating afterschool and summer programs for at-risk youth, organizing food and hygiene drives in the community, and partnering with Feeding America to distribute food to local communities. I have professional experience as a Family Services Specialist for the Department of Social Services in child welfare (foster care and adoption). I have worked with children and adults on issues such as family dysfunction, parenting, substance abuse, traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, impulse control, poverty, and self-esteem.

I am passionate about trauma-informed care and the concept of Imago Dei (“Image of God”). In other words, I believe that all people have been created in the Image of God and thus have immeasurable value and worth. As a clinician, it is my goal to come alongside those who may be suffering or struggling and help them make positive changes both in how they see themselves and how they relate to others, so that they may live into their full, God-given potential.

Skyler Heston, LMHP-S

Skyler Heston, LMHP-S

Skyler is a Supervisee in Clinical Social Work who is passionate about creating a safe space to facilitate healing. Skyler grew up on the mission field and quickly gained a heart for loving people and meeting individuals where they are at. This led Skyler to pursue her Masters in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University. Skyler has a wide variety of experience including play therapy, Trust-Based-Relational Intervention, anger-management counseling, and working with those who have experienced sexual assault. She also has experience working with a home visiting program that sought to support expecting mothers and connect individuals to resources.

When she is not working, Skyler loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends. Skyler also enjoys doing anything outdoors, such as hiking, kayaking, or running.

Jonathan Durst, LMHC, LPC

Jonathan Durst, LMHC, LPC

Jonathan Durst has more than 20 years of experience as a people helper focusing on serving individuals, families, and organizations. He received his formal education from St. John’s University in Psychology and from Ashland Theological Seminary in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. He is currently licensed in New York as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (L.M.H.C.) and in Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.). Jonathan has served his local church as a youth and an associate pastor prior to his profession in counseling. Early in his career, he had experiences working in several capacities of community mental healthcare in a wide variety of settings. He developed his outpatient counseling experience working at EMERGE Ministries in Akron, Ohio. Jonathan has since worked as a supervisor, clinical director, developed satellite counseling centers, partnered and consulted with churches and organizations, helped train future Christian counselors as an adjunct instructor, provided leadership and mental health training internationally, and has served on a few national mental healthcare committees. Most recently, before coming to Light Counseling, Jonathan was the founder and CEO of Bedrock Counseling Ministries, a Christian outpatient counseling clinic located in Syracuse, New York. It was out of his faith and obedience to God that Jonathan and his family relocated to Virginia for this next chapter of serving others.

Jonathan’s number one ministry is to his family. He strives to love God with all of his heart and is continually broken by both God’s goodness and His direction. He is blessed and honored to be married to Carmen and they have 3 children; Alicia, Matthew, and Gabriela.

Justin  Cook, LMHP-R

Justin Cook, LMHP-R

Justin is a Licensed Resident in Counseling with over 10 years of experience working in various roles in the mental health field. He completed a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. He has experience in working with children and adults with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorders. He has also spent a great deal of his career working as a crisis counselor.
Justin is a proponent of a holistic approach to well-being. He engages in person-centered therapy and utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques to help his clients. He has a passion for helping people make positive decisions and helping them find their purpose in their life journey.
In his free time, you’ll find Justin outside training for Spartan Obstacle Course races, hiking, fishing, and cooking.

Lynnette Shadoan, LMFT, LPC

Lynnette Shadoan, LMFT, LPC

Lynnette has worked at Light Counseling since March 1999 where she served as the Executive Director until she and her husband moved to Lexington Kentucky. She continues to work full-time for Light Counseling by providing Telehealth, services and considers this “the best of both worlds” since she can live near family and still work for the counseling practice that she loves!

Her clinical areas of practice include adults, adolescents, and college-age individuals. Her main focus is on women’s issues, codependency issues, marriage counseling, and family conflict resolution. She treats a wide variety of clinical problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, grief, and phase of life issues. Her therapeutic approach is insight-oriented, cognitive-behavioral, along with family systems, with a biblical perspective. In 2017, 2018, and 2019 Lynnette was voted number one Counselor in Lynchburg in Our Health magazine’s “Best Bedside Manner” edition, which she counts among the greatest honors of her career.

As a former basketball player at the University of Kentucky, she and her husband are now season ticket holders and enjoy attending the games at her beloved alma mater. She also has one cat and one dog and is a big animal lover!

Goldie Oakes, LPC

Goldie Oakes, LPC

Hello. My name is Goldie Marker Oakes, Licensed Professional Counselor. My professional clinical career began in 2006 as a clinical case manager at Crossroads, CSB; however, I became a therapist three years later which included substance abuse group therapy and In-Person, counseling. In 2013, I joined the Crisis Team at Horizon Behavioral Health where I provided Intensive In-home, Crisis Intervention and Crisis Stab, all of which focused on at-risk children and youth. Later, I joined Intercept Intensive Foster Care where I experienced working with foster children and youth. In 2017, I again joined Crossroads, CSB as a therapist working In-Person,, group, and with substance abuse therapy. In 2020-2023, I worked through BetterHelp Counseling where I provided online therapy via Telehealth,.

My primary therapeutic modality includes a strong but eclectic therapeutic modality that incorporates a strong Christian perspective and clinical perspective using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy. In addition, I often utilize a holistic approach that incorporates a homeopathic path to wellness, Mindfulness and Relaxation Therapy, prayer and scripture.

My professional experience includes a clinical approach with a Christian mindset and perspective that includes: • treating clinical concerns such as anxiety, social anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and other clinical concerns. • relationships • self-image, self-esteem, and efficacy • addiction •anger management • and self-harm behaviors and impulse control.
My therapeutic approach often incorporates homework such as reading Christian literature or specific scripture, journal and self-reflective writing, and practice of specific CBT strategies outside the clinical setting, at home, and in the community, all of which supports your growth and progress.

My goal as your therapist is to help you find peace, joy, and happiness in life. My job is to help you learn how to overcome your life events, emotions and experiences that have caused you problems functioning normally, relating to others, or even finding motivation to continue on your life’s path. Your goal is for your growth to be internal as you move towards defining or redefining your relationship with Christ. This means a great deal of your progress requires your need to periodically evaluate your own progress through self-evaluation and self-reflection, in addition to my own clinical assessments with your progress. This path is not always an easy one; however, God promises us that we never have to travel that path alone.

Henry Liscio, LMHP-R

Henry Liscio, LMHP-R

Henry’s approach is warm, collaborative, and direct. He aims to help clients experience connection – to themselves, their loved-ones, and the life they’re leading. With Henry, you will be seen, heard, and supported.

Pursuing counseling as a vocation was a given for Henry. He has always been the ‘go-to’ confidant for his friends and family as he was known as a great listener as well as honest, insightful, and robust with any feedback. In addition, Henry has always had an interest in people, the mind, relationships, personality, mindfulness, building a good life, and developing new ways of seeing the world and oneself within it. He earned a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Liberty University after studying Psychology, Philosophy, and Music at the University of Missouri. Although he has been in helping roles throughout his life, he has been in a counseling role, specifically, for the last 3 years.

Henry’s free time is spent hanging out with his wife/friends, playing basketball, whittling, and/or playing in the band.

Doris DeMato, LPC

Doris DeMato, LPC

Dr. Doris DeMato brings over twenty years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor to Light Counseling. She earned her doctoral degree in counseling from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.

She has extensive experience working with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many of Dr. DeMato’s clients navigate feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, phase of life problems, interpersonal conflicts, and family of origin concerns that have become overwhelming and are impacting work and relationships. Together, she and her clients co-create practical strategies and coping skills that are tailored to each one’s life journey. Dr. DeMato works with adults of all ages across the life-span.

The first priority Dr. DeMato has in starting with new clients is to ensure that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned Telehealth, provider, she also offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of one’s self-care calendar. The therapeutic approach Dr. DeMato takes with her clients is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is a proven approach to changing thinking patterns and behaviors in a limited number of sessions.

An experienced clinician, Dr. DeMato also is a counselor educator. In a recent interview, she was invited to share her approach to treating women with anxiety that will be included in a video to accompany a college textbook. She also holds a Postgraduate Professional License in Virginia as a school counselor. Dr. DeMato has had articles published in both the Professional School Counseling journal and the Virginia Counselors journal. Some of her interests outside of work include visiting historical sites, watching archeological digs near where she lives, reading mystery novels and biographies, growing hydroponic herbs and vegetables, cooking, and walking. Dr. DeMato is very active in her church which has a homeless shelter, food program, and an emergency relief program.

Dr. DeMato believes that healing and growth occur within a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. Taking the first step to come for counseling is a step of strength and courage. Dr. DeMato looks forward to meeting you and working together to help you resolve whatever you may be facing in your life at this time.

Alyssa Penrod, LMHP-R

Alyssa Penrod, LMHP-R

Alyssa is a Licensed Resident in Counseling who received her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has experience working with children, youth, adults and families. Alyssa has a background in both Emotion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy theoretical orientations. Her passion lies in creating a space for the client to feel seen and heard in order to create the safety needed to initiate change and growth.

When not counseling, Alyssa can be found tending to her copious amount of house plants, walking one of Lynchburg’s many trails or planning her next road trip.

Amy Feigel, LPC

Amy Feigel, LPC

Amy Feigel is a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor and former California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Amy received her pre and post-graduate education from Liberty University and has nearly 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families.

She has served as a Social Worker for Child Protective Services, a Group Facilitator working with sexual abuse survivors through Parents United International, a Mental Health Clinician providing outpatient counseling for at-risk youth, the Director of Member Care for the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the Director of the Extraordinary Women organization and as a private practice therapist. Amy is currently employed full-time as a therapist at Light Counseling, part-time as an Adjunct Faculty Professor with Liberty University Online, and is also a Special Assistant to the President of the AACC.

As a past recipient of the Servant Leadership Award from the IBPPC, Amy has experience in conducting numerous workshops that provide local communities with mental health education, in-service psycho-education to teaching professionals, and continuing education training for members of the AACC on a variety of topics such as: eating disorders, teen suicide/cutting/self-injury/physical and sexual abuse/depression, anxiety/stress, women’s issues, social networking, and the online generation.

Debra McPhee, LPC

Debra McPhee, LPC

Deb McPhee is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 20 years’ experience working in her community as a mental health and substance dependence recovery therapist. She received her master’s degree in community mental health from Regent University, Virginia Beach.

Deb helps adults and families identify their personal strengths to persevere through their trials with confidence and hope, while offering the opportunity to include their faith in creating a plan of health, clarity, and possibilities.
Deb’s primary approach is strength-based to address most levels of anxiety/panic, disruptive behaviors such as attention/focus difficulties, chronic/situational depression, substance use/dependence, grief/loss, and phase of life changes.

Deb is proud of her past active duty and reservist service in the U.S. Navy, 1971-1976/1990-1992. She enjoys a good cup of coffee, hard-covered books, cooking, gardening, and her log home.