Our providers offer codependency therapy in Chesterfield, VA

Nessalyn Dearce is a Resident in Counseling who has experience providing mental health services to children and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, chronic illness, and stress management. Nessalyn is LGBTQIA+ affirming and works to maintain multicultural awareness in session. She completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology at Christopher Newport University and her Master of Science (MS) in Education in Counseling at Old Dominion University. 

Nessalyn utilizes person-centered, mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, solution focused, and emotionally focused approaches to therapy. She encourages individuals to acknowledge their inner experiences in healthy ways and assists them in aligning with their goals and ideals. Nessalyn aims to meet the individual needs of each person by exploring the qualities and experiences that make them unique.

Nessalyn understands that getting help can be difficult and intimidating, so she aims to make the office a safe space for clients to be themselves and hopes to establish a therapeutic relationship that makes room for growth and healing.

Alexis Wooden is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 4 years of experience. She specializes in accommodating and supporting children, teenagers, and adults with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, addiction, life adjustments, grief, coping skills, and career challenges. Alexis also enjoys working with pre-teens who are affected by behavioral problems and oppositional defiant disorder. She has spent time in various clinical environments including educational and virtual.

Alexis received her Master's in Community Mental Health Counseling at Hampton University. She uses modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and multicultural and mindfulness-based methods while tailoring care to each client’s needs.

Alexis believes empathy and connection have great power and is looking forward to assisting you in realizing your advantages and highlighting the good things in your life. Book an appointment with her today!

Ashely Ryan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has over 15 years of experience providing therapeutic treatment services to children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Throughout her career, she has helped individuals in the areas of mood management, anger management, substance use/abuse, trauma, self-esteem, grief/loss, anxiety, stress management, and interpersonal skills.

Ashely completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master in Education (M.Ed) in Community Counseling from the College of William & Mary. Ashely feels that in order for therapy to be successful, it needs to occur in a safe and comfortable environment where individuals and families feel listened to, validated, and supported. Ashely believes that the client is their own expert as well and that collaboration is key.

Ashely believes in providing high quality, person-centered treatment that focuses on your goals and what you want to accomplish throughout the therapeutic process. She will create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), art/play therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Ashely focuses on strengths, on developing a solid therapeutic alliance, and on empowering individuals and families while providing support and guidance on their treatment needs.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 13 years of experience providing therapy to individuals navigating life’s challenges. I am EMDR certified and specialize in trauma-focused work, supporting clients as they heal from difficult experiences at their own pace. My approach is grounded in mindfulness and meeting clients where they are, honoring each person’s unique story, strengths, and goals. I strive to create a supportive, safe, and compassionate environment where clients feel understood and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.

Valerie Fowlkes, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over five years of experience helping adolescents, adults, and couples create meaningful, lasting change. She has served clients in outpatient mental health settings, therapeutic treatment programs, substance use recovery services, and community-based agencies, giving her a well-rounded understanding of diverse client needs.

Valerie specializes in supporting individuals who are navigating relationship challenges, childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, women’s issues, parenting stress, and behavioral concerns. She also provides premarital, marital, and couples counseling, helping partners strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and reconnect with one another.

Valerie earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She uses evidence-based approaches tailored to each client’s goals, including Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based techniques, and the Gottman Method for couples.

Valerie believes therapy should be collaborative, goal-oriented, and empowering. She creates a secure, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, understood, and challenged to grow. Her focus is not just symptom relief, but equipping clients with lifelong skills for healing and success.

If you’re ready to gain clarity, build stronger relationships, and move forward with confidence, schedule a session with Valerie today.

Armond Leake is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience in the mental health and rehabilitation fields. He supports individuals navigating loss, career changes, divorce, aging, chronic illness, disability, or other major life changes. They might be experiencing depression or anxiety due to their circumstances and need strategies and guidance to help them cope more effectively. Armond enjoys helping clients identify barriers to successfully work through their difficulties and gain the skills to get where they want to be.

Armond received his Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. He utilizes approaches including existential therapy, emotionally focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques.

Armond knows how hard this journey can be and has likely experienced some of the same challenges you are going through. As someone who has received support in the past, Armond encourages you to reach out today!

Ashley Floyd is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisee with 2 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in supporting individuals through depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, substance use, and life transitions. Ashley was inspired to return to school to study social work after spending 12 years in retail and meeting a wide variety of diverse people. She has worked with clients with intersectional identities including LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and those in recovery. As a believer in flexible treatment, Ashley tailors her approach to each individual.

Ashley received her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her favorite therapeutic approaches are parts work and internal family systems techniques, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and traditional talk therapy.

These are challenging times for everyone. Despite being increasingly electronically "connected,” people feel more isolated than ever, but Ashley believes change is always possible! Reach out and find a strategy to work toward being the best version of yourself in a life that honors your values.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 4 years of experience working with outpatient mental health settings. I support adults, children, couples, and seniors navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. Many of the individuals I have worked with felt emotionally uncertain about their future and are looking for tools to promote healing and build interpersonal relationships to move forward on their personal journey.

I earned my master's degree in social work from Walden University. I adhere to evidence-based practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma therapy. I take a collaborative approach to identifying challenges and finding solutions to current life circumstances.

I am committed to providing a safe, compassionate space for you to explore your emotions as you navigate life's challenges, and I look forward to supporting you on your wellness journey.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 18 years of experience supporting adolescents, young adults, and families. I specialize in emotional dysregulation, anger management, trauma, anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns, including aggression, treatment resistance, and risk-taking behaviors. Many clients seek therapy to reduce conflict, manage stress more effectively, and build resilience and hope for the future.

I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Walden University. My clinical approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, person-centered therapy, and motivational interviewing to help clients understand patterns, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful, sustainable change.

I strive to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative space where clients feel heard and empowered. Together, we work toward emotional regulation, self-awareness, and confidence in navigating life’s challenges. If you are ready to begin your healing journey, I welcome the opportunity to support you.

Carl Brown is a Resident in Counseling who has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. Mr. Brown has experience working with seriously mentally ill population (SMI) adults, children, and families who have experienced trauma, varied mental health diagnoses, and legal and socioeconomic concerns. His professional career began with District 19 Community Services Board (CSB) as a qualified mental health professional working in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Day Program. There he was primarily responsible for training and developing individuals with a serious mental illness on independent living skills.

Mr. Brown worked at District 19 CSB for 13 years as a Mental Health Support Provider and then as a Mental Health Case Manager before joining the private mental health sector. He was the Lead Clinical Supervisor with L.I.F.E. Youth and Adult Services for 9 years. Mr. Brown started his private sector career overseeing intensive in-home services, mental health skill building services and the psycho-social rehabilitation (PSR) day program. In addition, he also managed the day-to-day operations of L.I.F.E. Youth and Adult Services and worked with local community mental health agencies to coordinate and collaborate services as needed. Mr. Brown completed his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Ferrum College and his Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University.

Mr. Brown’s focus is to empower and help you develop strength and mastery over life challenges to help you find your way to healing. Healing is a process that involves appropriate strategies and skills, life changes, insight, self-awareness, and support to get to a place of clarity, self-discovery, and stability. Life often hands us unforeseen challenges and obstacles, but that doesn't have to break us or keep us from the healing we all deserve. There are benefits to seeking help and having a safe space to process. Mr. Brown is here to work with you on your healing journey. He utilizes evidence-based treatments, including person-centered therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness, to help individuals achieve improved emotional and behavioral functioning.