Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Alexandria, 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.

My name is Esonija' Fulgham, and I'm a licensed clinical social worker practicing in VA, DC, and MD. I've been practicing clinical social work independently for almost 15 years. I enjoy the work that I do in helping families and individuals thrive and learn to articulate their lived experiences from a place of empowerment.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, empowerment approaches, and trauma-informed frameworks to help clients live their best lives. My focus is on equipping you with practical coping skills. 

I look forward to working with you and am humbled that you've chosen me to share your journey. 

Dena Wentz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 17 years of social work experience where she has helped individuals with coping and adjustment to chronic and acute illnesses and barriers to overall health and wellness. Areas of focus in other areas of clinical practice include anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, life transitions, relationship issues, parenting, grief and loss, depression, and coping with chronic illness. 

Dena applies techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, humanistic modalities, acceptance and commitment theories, person-centered, and strength-based approaches to therapy. She uses solution-focused and mindfulness-based methods to help her clients meet their therapy goals. Because of her experience in the health care setting, she meets clients where they are at and is able to build rapport quickly with genuine concern. She helps clients to look at patterns of behaviors and increase awareness of emotions and stressors. She will help you explore barriers to connection in relationships. 

Dena completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Millersville University and received her Master of Social Work from Temple University, both from Council of Social Work Education accredited programs. Dena is passionate about helping to provide individuals with tools for coping with life’s transitions and challenges, all the while helping you to grow so that you can live your best life today.

Brittany Spak is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 4 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and relationship issues. 

Brittany completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from King’s College, PA, and received her Master's degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina University. She utilizes a combination of dialectical behavior, person-centered, strengths-based, and collaborative approaches to therapy while finding creative ways to meet an individual’s unique needs.

Brittany seeks to create a caring and validating relationship with you to help assist you in fostering a relationship with yourself and others, building upon your strengths and coping skills, to help you reach your goals while living a fulfilled and meaningful life.

Jerusha McClendon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked with many people experiencing mental health and addiction personally or in their family. Jerusha has 8 years of experience in the mental health field. She completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Ohio State University.

Jerusha believes there is a need to identify and understand where the seeds of doubt and fear come from, as well as how to connect with the seeds of hope and purpose in the present and the future. Her job is to facilitate the conversation and allow clients to gain insight into their condition and develop an action plan to change their lives.

Jerusha’s superpowers include listening empathetically, relating easily to others, and critical thinking. She believes that all people have purpose in life, and she wants to explore that purpose with clients. Additionally, she strives to create a safe place in therapy so vulnerability can be examined and gains made. Therapy is a change process. Join Jerusha in this change process so that you can be a changemaker in your life and spread that change to others in your inner circle.