Find Providers Specializing in:

Codependency

Susan Boccia, BMHC BCPC

Susan Boccia, BMHC BCPC

My Mission is to use my God given skills and experience to help facilitate a feeling of hope, calmness and spiritual wholeness for clients and families in their time of grief, family changes and loneliness.

Tiffany Dobbs, BCMHC

Tiffany Dobbs, BCMHC

“Hello from Minnesota! My name is Tiffany, and I’m so delighted you’re here! Personally, I live in the great, northern Minnesota with my husband, two cats and one dog! My story of how I got to where I am dates to when I was just a little girl. I have had many obstacles, faced numerous health challenges from a skin condition that required consistent doctor appointments and out of 80-90 doctors, no one knew what skin condition I was facing. Each one gave a different diagnosis, which resulted in different medication, only to make my symptoms worse. Along with skin challenges, I’ve also underwent a period of abdominal issues and faced other emotional/mental health challenges over the years that came from these experiences. Despite all these challenges, my parents tried many things to help and provide the care I needed, but they never allowed me to use those struggles to miss out on life. They taught me in various ways to rise above and how to preserve when life gets tough. I remember vividly, my mom would always tell me, “Tiffany, you have a sermon within you that the Lord is preparing, that one day you’ll be able to share.” In my early twenties, this was the onset of a decade long battle between me and God, as I wrestled with him, in the lies that I once believed regarding my self-worth, my self-esteem, my beauty, my desire to be married but struggled with singleness. This was a full decade of sorting out all the lies I had once believed to receiving the truth that God was writing on my heart. The truth of seeing myself as he saw me, through his eyes, as an image barrier and creation by His hands, for His purpose. I had a small idea of who God was then but would later understand it in a much deeper way, as during this decade, while wrestling with God, I got to know him more, on a deeper level. He is a God who cares so deeply, and who is so faithful. One who’ll meet us in our mess, and ready to help us mend those broken pieces back together. Given my story, and the challenges that I have faced, but the perseverance that came from it all, God created my heart to love after people, wherever they’re at and for who He has created them to be.
In college, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Since then, I have had numerous careers that rallied around people of all walks of life, from a direct support professional working with youth to build social, emotional and behavioral skills; to being a vocational coordinator (job coach/developer) working with individuals with disabilities/mental health to seek and retain employment; to case management for a managed care organization in WI, where I worked with individuals with physical disabilities, development/intellectual disabilities and frail elders; to working in a care management role for a counseling agency in International Falls, MN. In the spring of 2023, I enrolled into Center for Christian Coaching, where I spent six months being trained as a Christian Life Coach, receiving that certification in late fall of 2023. Most recently, I am currently working on being board certified as a mental health coach through American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).
My heart and passion are to Love God and Love people. God is marvelous and wondrously faithful. He sees you; He hears you and He knows you. As your coach, I would be honored to come along side you, explore the possibilities of what God is doing in your life, and where he’s taking you on this journey of life.”

Libby Geddes, M.Ed., NCC, LPC

Libby Geddes, M.Ed., NCC, LPC

Libby is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with NCC credentials in Virginia and South Carolina. She specializes in working with clients of all ages on issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and spiritual concerns. Certified in premarital/remarital...

Amarachi Nnadozie, MA, Resident in Counseling

Amarachi Nnadozie, MA, Resident in Counseling

Amarachi Nnadozie is a licensed resident therapist passionate about holistic care and supporting others through life’s challenges. She received her undergraduate degree in Music and Worship with a concentration in Pastoral Leadership from Liberty University, which...

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. 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.

Samantha Clements, BCMHC

Samantha Clements, BCMHC

Samantha is credentialed through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as an Associate Certified Coach. Samantha is also a Board-Certified Master Mental Health Coach through the IBCC. She became a coach because she wanted to see transformation in the lives of others. She wants her clients to know they are uniquely created by a loving Father and He desires you to live life to the fullest. Samanthan cares for her client’s heart, body, and mind. She walks with her clients on the healing journey, trusting the Lord to bring about real and lasting change. Samantha lives in Florida with her youngest son and husband. She especially loves the beach and its sunsets.

Skyler Heston, LCSW

Skyler Heston, LCSW

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 master’s 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.

Sondra Doty, BCMHC

Sondra Doty, BCMHC

As a life and mental health coach, Sondra strives to improve her clients’ lives by providing emotional, physical, and spiritual support. Sondra jokingly calls herself an emotion coach or detective. She desires to get to the root cause, pattern, and/or habit of what is hindering people’s lives. She brings truth, hope, and encouragement with a faith-based understanding.

Sondra is a board-certified master mental health coach through the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) with a focus on professional life coaching. (IBCC Certified).

Sondra has coached others in many different aspects of life for over 14 years. Key areas of coaching have been women’s health, birth, postpartum, motherhood/parenting, emotional well-being, career, chronic illness, habits, and faith challenges.

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. She also earned her master’s 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. 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 her client’s security, wellbeing, and personal prosperity. Personal counseling has been her life’s work and the legacy she wishes to leave. 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 Xhoir while 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.

Jessica Hauser, MA, Resident in Counseling

Jessica Hauser, MA, Resident in Counseling

Jessica earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Virginia Tech and a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults and has a background in treating anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, psychosis, autism, applied behavioral analysis, solution-focused therapies, and trauma incident reduction. Jessica is TIR trained and a member of the Trauma Incident Reduction Association. Jessica is consistent in gaining more insight and increasing her competency and knowledge to ensure her clients are getting the most up to date and valid treatment strategies. She utilizes TF-CBT, CBT, DBT, TIR, and LSR strategies to help her clients with their individual struggles.

Jessica’s approach is person-centered and she leads from a nonjudgmental, compassionate standpoint. She finds fulfillment and passion in helping individuals gain control over their mind by implementing evidence-based treatments and spreading awareness of the importance of mental health. Her goals of therapy include the implementation of these evidence-based interventions to aid in her clients’ ability to build resilience and increase their confidence so that they may tackle anything that life may throw at them.

In Jessica’s free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, doing yoga, meditation, and playing with her two miniature schnauzers.

Johnny Dixon, BCMMC

Johnny Dixon, BCMMC

Johnny Dixon is a dedicated, certified master mental health coach specializing in marriage and family services. Johnny has been helping individuals and families in crisis for twenty-six years. He has an academic background in Human Development and Family Studies with an Emphasis on children, youth, and families from Penn State University. He received diplomas in Master Mental Health Coach and Biblical Counseling from Light University. Johnny is certified by the International Board of Christian Care Board of Mental Health and is passionate about helping others heal holistically. Johnny believes life can be different.

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.

Laura Holmes, LPC

Laura Holmes, LPC

Laura is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. She has certifications in several areas, which includes life coaching, biblical counseling, stress/trauma care, premarital counseling, and marriage counseling. Laura is also certified to administer the PREPARE (pre-marriage counseling) and ENRICH (marriage counseling) inventories, which include assessment and skill building. She also has experience as a Grief Share Facilitator. While she lives based on the principles of Christian faith, she is equipped to work with clients from various spiritual backgrounds and incorporate spirituality as requested by the client. Laura also has experience working alongside parents teaching attachment therapy to aid in child development. She realizes that every client is unique and different tools and methods are imperative for each individual. Laura greatly enjoys facilitating self-exploration and personal growth in her clients. She believes that a strong therapeutic alliance is an integral part of the path towards hope and restoration. Laura strives to create an empathetic environment for her clients to heal and uses different methods to help individuals grow. Laura has been married to her husband for more than 30 years and has adult children. She enjoys going to the beach, riding bikes, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors. 

Lauren Rowell, MA, Resident in Counseling

Lauren Rowell, MA, Resident in Counseling

Lauren is a Resident Counselor at Light Counseling. She graduated in 2020 from Liberty University. She is married with one child and enjoys volunteering with her church’s praise and worship team. She works with individuals 15-years-old and older. Lauren has a heart and a calling to help people in their journey towards healing from life’s hard circumstances.

Marie St. Louis, LMHC, LPC

Marie St. Louis, LMHC, LPC

Marie says spent most of my life helping people be the best versions of themselves, in one capacity or another. Marie St. Louis is a licensed counselor who has years of professional experience helping clients successfully navigate mental health challenges. Marie enjoys collaborating with clients to develop treatment goals and exploring practical and effective coping strategies to achieve them. She has spent most of her life helping people become the best version of themselves and is passionate about helping her clients heal. Marie provides individual psychotherapy, couples counseling, and group therapy. Her therapeutic approach centers primarily on using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a framework in helping clients better understand their inner world and use that understanding to overcome life challenges. Marie knows that life offers many unexpected twists and turns that oftentimes leave us overwhelmed with distressing emotions and undesirable behaviors that produce brokenness within.   Integrating faith and clinical practice, she welcomes you into a judgment-free therapeutic relationship to safely discover, explore, learn, and grow into the man or woman God created you to be – an overcomer!

Genevive Drews, MA, Resident in Counseling

Genevive Drews, MA, Resident in Counseling

Genevive Drews is a Licensed Resident at Light Counseling. After living in California for 20 years, she moved to Christiansburg, Virginia in 2019. Genevive is passionate about helping her clients become the best version of themselves, even if it means embracing change for healing. Genevive is also a licensed pastor in Foursquare Church, as well as a professor at Life Pacific University. She is passionate about working with college students and young professionals as she helps them understand biblical mental health. Genevive also loves traveling and experiencing new cultures in her free time.

Jackie Williams, LPC

Jackie Williams, LPC

Jackie Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her master’s degree from Liberty University in 2016. Jackie enjoys challenging her clients to seek transformation through self-acceptance and seeing oneself through God’s eyes. She started her journey in helping others overcome their challenges in her role as Theophostic and Transformational Prayer Facilitator in 2007. Now, she finds EMDR, CBT, DBT and solution-focused therapies to be most helpful for clients. Jackie believes loving self acceptance and a sense of calling by seeing yourself through God’s eyes are foundational for a meaningful life of peace and joy. She loves working with people who want to clean out shame and excess guilt. She believes no person is so lost that they are out of God’s sight, care, or reach for healing. Jackie also utilizes solution-focused therapy, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectal therapy, to help her clients heal and become open about their emotions. 

Karina Blest, MA, Resident in Counseling

Karina Blest, MA, Resident in Counseling

Karina is a Licensed Resident in Counseling with a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. With a strong foundation in addressing diverse mental health challenges, she specializes in supporting clients through substance use disorders, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and relational concerns. Karina’s therapeutic approach integrates emotion-focused therapy with a holistic perspective, emphasizing the importance of understanding each client’s unique experiences. This personalized methodology allows her to develop tailored interventions, fostering a compassionate and effective environment for growth and healing. Beyond her clinical practice, Karina enjoys creative pursuits such as painting and sculpting and stays active through hiking on weekends. She is deeply committed to the principles of holistic wellness, striving to embody this philosophy both personally and professionally.

Amy  Dillingham, LPC

Amy Dillingham, LPC

Amy Dillingham is a graduate of Liberty University with her M.A. in Professional Counseling. She has experience working alongside people of all ages. Amy’s goal is to help every person she counsels reach their highest potential using a holistic wellness approach. Amy is passionate about integrating faith into her counseling, while utilizing different therapy techniques, such as play therapy, nutrition, and more. Amy works alongside clients who struggle with anxiety, grief, marriage issues, and more.

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.

Cindy Stafford, MA, Resident in Counseling

Cindy Stafford, MA, Resident in Counseling

Cindy Stafford is a licensed resident at Light Counseling. She received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2023. She has worked with individuals in the past coming out of psychiatric hospitalization in the hopes of preventing clients from cycling back into crisis. She has previously worked in foster care and adoption with the Department of Social Services. In her free time, she loves serving the local church alongside her husband of over 30 years and spending time with her adult children. Cindy says she has a special place in her heart for providing support to care givers of those dealing with long-term mental illnesses.

Donna Westcott, LPC

Donna Westcott, LPC

Donna Westcott is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of counseling experience. She studied Religion at Carson Newman University, and she has a graduate degree in education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Donna has also done additional graduate work in counseling from Liberty University. She is passionate about providing a safe environment to share their struggles with transparency and without judgement. Donna uses talk therapy, along with expressive therapies, such as art, music, or writing, to help her clients grow. Donna has a variety of experiences in counseling, but she specifically has focused on restoring marriages broken by infidelity, as well as supporting women in abusive marriages.

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. 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.

Douglas Stell, MA, Resident in Counseling

Douglas Stell, MA, Resident in Counseling

Dr. Doug Kowieski serves as the Director of Care & Counseling at a church in N.E. Florida. He is married to his beautiful wife of 30 years. Doug earned his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and is a certified Master Mental Health Coach and Pastoral Counselor by the International board of Christian Care. They have four children ranging in age from 16-25 years of age. They also have four dogs that keep them pretty occupied. Doug has a 27 year career in law enforcement and retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. In his spare time he likes to read, go to the beach, play with his dogs, and spend time with his family. Doug has a heart for helping foster and adoptive parents.

Courtney Murden, MA, Supervisee in Clinical Social Work

Courtney Murden, MA, Supervisee in Clinical Social Work

My name is Courtney Murden, and I am a supervisee in social work. I graduated from Liberty University with my Bachelor’s in Social Work, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with my Master’s in Social Work. I have experience in working with children through adults in the intensive in-home setting. I have assisted these age groups with anxiety, depression, sense of loss/hopelessness, life-transitions, self-esteem issues, trauma, and more. My goal is to come alongside you and meet you where you are at. I believe that everyone has God-given strengths and talents and are called to use them in their lives.

Matthew Rich, MA, Resident in Counseling

Matthew Rich, MA, Resident in Counseling

Matthew recently graduated with honors from Lancaster Bible College, earning an MA in Clinical Counseling. Over the past three and a half years, he has gained valuable experience working in both behavioral and talk therapy. Matthew has worked with clients across a wide range of ages and needs, including individuals, couples, and families. He is dedicated to providing specialized, client-centered care, using a biblically-based, solution-focused approach to help clients make positive life decisions. Outside of counseling, Matthew enjoys participating in various sports and listening to audiobooks while painting ceramic pottery.

Alyssa Penrod, MA, Resident in Marriage & Family Therapy

Alyssa Penrod, MA, Resident in Marriage & Family Therapy

Licensed Mental Health Professional Resident
Location: Virginia
Client Age Groups: Preteens (11-12) Adolescents (13-17) Young Adults (18-25) Adults (26-64) Seniors (65+)

Accepted Insurance
Aetna, Anthem, VA – Optima, Optum/United Healthcare, VA Medicaid – Aetna, Better Health, VA Medicaid – Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, VA Medicaid – Magellan Behavioral Health, VA Medicaid – Molina Complete Care, VA Medicaid – Optima Community, VA Medicaid – United Healthcare, VA Medicaid – VA Premier Anthem VA – Optima Optum/United Healthcare VA Medicaid – Aetna Better Health VA Medicaid – Anthem HealthKeepers Plus VA Medicaid – Magellan Behavioral Health VA Medicaid – Molina Complete Care VA Medicaid – Optima Community VA Medicaid – United Healthcare VA Medicaid – VA Premier