Chris Carson, LCSW Contact Information: Phone: (804) 651-3941 Email: chris@cypresscounseling.com

I received a Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy and facilitated experiential therapy with children and adolescents for over ten years before graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master's in Clinical Social Work. I completed two intensive clinical internships and provided three years of psychotherapy with victims of domestic and sexual violence before becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Virginia. I am now in private practice and work with individuals, couples, and groups using a humanistic approach to establish rapport and connecting to clients. I have specific training and experience providing experiential and dynamic psychotherapy that assists clients in accessing their emotional truth with the support and guidance of the therapeutic relationship. I encourage clients to look at the past as being present, occurring in the here and now moment with me. I hope to inspire clients to get curious, become aware, and accept themselves. I believe that it is this acceptance that can assist clients to have clarity to explore their natural gifts and gain a fresh new perspective of themselves and what they want in their relationships, work, health, sexuality, family and spirituality. I work with clients to begin to trust their inner voice and own their power to create the life they want. My practice is also influenced by Buddhist Meditation, Mandalas and Wilderness Survival and Adventures. My specific areas of interest are working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, and women and men experiencing a change or transition in their health, career or relationship. I also enjoy helping to strengthen the bond between couples and families—especially the mother and daughter relationship. However, I enjoy working with any adult seeking growth, wholeness, and perspective. I offer both short and long-term therapy and mentoring support based on your specific needs and goals.

McKenzie Casad, LCSW Contact Information: Phone: (757) 553-2780 Email: mckenzie@cypresscounseling.com

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and after years of working in State and non-profit agencies, I am now in private practice as a psychotherapist working with adults, couples, adolescents, and children, with a special interest in exploring infancy and early years. I have clinical experience with trauma, depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, postpartum depression, and birth trauma. I also enjoy group processes and conduct group psychotherapy.  My practice is guided by Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Theory, with a particular emphasis on relational work. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Women's Studies, I completed my Master's Degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration. I received a Post-Graduate Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention and completed two years of post-graduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Washington School of Psychiatry. I have completed a post-graduate certificate in Infant and Young Child Observational Studies, which includes an in-depth examination of children's emotional world from birth to 4 years of age, as well as the developing mother-infant relationship.  I am currently a candidate in psychoanalytic training at the New York Freudian Institute and am taking psychoanalytic cases in my practice. Psychoanalytic treatment can be a wonderful opportunity to engage in a greater depth of processing and self-reflection.  I am a member of Postpartum Support International and a co-coordinator in Virginia.

Anne Rhatigan, Psy.D. Candidate Contact Information: Phone: (631) 766-5554 Email: amrhatigan684@gmail.com

I studied undergraduate psychology at Skidmore College and then in graduate school at the University of Denver. Through various practica at substance abuse clinics, university counseling centers, rape crisis centers, and eating disorders treatment programs, I was able to further develop my interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment, substance abuse, and women's issues. I completed a pre-doctoral internship and then an advanced residency at Virginia Commonwealth University in their University Counseling Services where I received specialized training in substance abuse, sex assault/domestic violence, and group psychotherapy. I have had the wonderful opportunity to supervise practicum students in the Counseling Psychology program, as well as provide training and didactics in substance abuse and domestic violence. I strive to be integrative and client-centered in my approach, drawing primarily from psychodynamic, relational-cultural, and mindfulness/acceptance theories. I value a safe, supportive therapeutic environment where we can work together to help you achieve healing, insight, and change. I specialize in substance abuse, adult children of addicts,women's issues, domestic violence and family trauma, and welcome adult referrals of all kinds. I am currently a Psy.D. candidate at the University of Denver, a contract psychotherapist at VCU, and am happy to now be a part of Cypress Counseling.

Vijaya Stallings, Ph.D., M.A., D.Ayur   Ayurvedic Practitioner Contact Information: Phone: (757) 254-3588 Email: vijayastallings@gmail.com

I offer Ayurvedic and holistic health counseling to help heal adverse conditions, promote detoxification and rejuvenation of the body, mind and emotions, and facilitate optimal health benefits. I have a full-time private practice in holistic medicine including dietary considerations, herbal therapies, life-style changes, emotional and mental focuses, and spiritual explorations. After graduating from the Ayurvedic Institute in 1990, I pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a Holistic and Somatic Specialization from JFK University in Pleasant Hill, California from 1990-1993 and was awarded a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Emerson Institute in Oakhurst, California in 2006. Studies continued for me with Dr. Lobsang Rapgay, a Tibetan Buddhist monk and Ayurvedic Physician, and at Rishikesh Ayurvedic College in Rishikesh, India. Through my non-profit association, Dhanvantari Ayurveda, I conduct Ayurvedic courses for beginners and an advanced 2-year program for those wanting certification in Ayurvedic Wellness and Health Practices. I currently teach and see clients in Richmond and Norfolk/Newport News, Virginia. My first book on holistic health and Ayurveda is entitled “INSTILLING HOPE, HEALING FEAR” and am presently conducting extensive research and case studies for a book on Yogic and Ayurvedic Psychology: Ancient Treatments for Contemporary People.