fbpx
PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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.

Jessica Hauser, LMHP-R

Jessica Hauser, LMHP-R

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, hanging out with God on a daily basis, praying, and playing with her two miniature schnauzers.

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.

Lauren Burns, LMHP-R

Lauren Burns, LMHP-R

My name is Lauren Burns and I am a resident in counseling who graduated from Virginia Tech’s counseling masters program. I have experience working with middle school aged children within the school and adults in outpatient settings. I have worked with adults at of all ages dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relational issues, life-transitions, self-esteem issues and more. I love helping clients work find their strengths and help them process and grow through their circumstances.

Lauren Rowell, LMHP-R

Lauren Rowell, LMHP-R

Lauren is a Resident in Counseling who 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 most populations, age 15 and older, and has a heart and calling to help people in their journey towards healing.

Lindsey Koerner, LMHP-R

Lindsey Koerner, LMHP-R

Lindsey Koerner earned an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Professional Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked with clients in residential and medical settings in relation to life transitions of disease progression and sudden onset disability, as well as working with adults with neurological differences. As a Licensed Resident in Counseling, Lindsey walks alongside clients with anxiety, depression, childhood and later stage trauma, major life transitions, caregiver fatigue, and vocational adjustment. She works with adults in assessing for and thriving with ADHD, and enjoys incorporating a variety of modalities in engaging the uniqueness of each client in how they feel met, seen, and heard in session. Lindsey has lived abroad and understands the challenges of changes in culture, language, and starting over. Her approach is strengths, values, and solution-focused, while being informed by a cognitive-behavioral framework. Lindsey is pleased to include faith as an integral part of client treatment, if desired.
Lindsey is a wife, mother of two children and many cats, is an avid gardener, and enjoys arts and crafts in her spare time.

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.

Donna Westcott, LPC

Donna Westcott, LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia who loves helping individuals, couples, and families. I start by providing a safe environment for you to share what is on your heart. I listen without judgment and help you see what you’ve been doing right, where your strengths are, and how you can harness them to bring health to the areas where you are struggling.
I use talk therapy, but also supplement it with relaxation techniques and expressive therapy, such as art, music, or writing, when that seems appropriate and you are interested in trying it. My foundational theoretical models are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, and trauma-informed care, integrated, when desired, with biblical principles and prayer.

My special focus is on repair and restoration of marriages broken by infidelity, as well as supporting women in abusive marriages.

I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion from Carson Newman University, a Master of Education Degree in Counselor Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and have done additional graduate work in counseling at Liberty University.
I’ve been working with Christian Counseling Associates since 2011.

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.

Cindy Stafford, LMHP-R

Cindy Stafford, LMHP-R

Hello, my name is Cindy Stafford. I have been married for 36 years and have two adult children. I am a recent graduate from Liberty University with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – May 2023. My past work experience includes working with adults coming out of crisis and psychiatric hospitalization to provide services, specifically outpatient counseling, and made referrals to meet their needs in hopes of preventing cycling back into crisis. I have worked with individuals diagnosed with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, ADHD, PTSD, relational issues, work-related stress, and life transitions. I have also worked as a Family Services Specialist (Foster Care and Adoption) and Eligibility Specialist for the Department of Social Services. I have experience in Special Education and teaching Preschool. My husband and I have been in ministry together at our local church for 23 years as AWANA Commanders and continue to work in AWANA as mentors. I have a special place in my heart to work with individuals and families who are dealing with long-term illness and provide support to caregivers. It is my desire to help individuals find hope and peace to make changes that they desire for their lives. Romans 5:1-5

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.