Our therapists offer anger management therapy in Chesapeake, VA

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 44 years of experience in behavioral mental health. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals living with schizophrenia, OCD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. I take pride in helping clients navigate challenges with time management, organization, and self-esteem so they can make meaningful, lasting life changes and achieve better balance in their daily lives.

I earned my Master’s in Nursing from Walden University, and I am board-certified. My approach to care is holistic, recognizing how nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes impact emotional well-being. I incorporate talk therapy, mindfulness, and mind-body techniques to support clients’ mental, physical, and spiritual health.

I see seeking mental health care as a courageous act of self-investment. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where clients can explore challenges, gain clarity, and grow in confidence. Together, we focus on building tools for healing, developing healthier habits, and creating a more balanced life—one step at a time.

Matthew is a Licensed Resident in Counseling (RIC) with years of experience. He has experience working in various settings, from out-patient college clinics to in-patient hospitals and outpatient community centers. He works with children, adolescents, and adults to address their unique needs and live their lives on their terms.

Matthew completed his Master's degree at Old Dominion University in 2022, and Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology at the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2015 and 2016. He utilizes a person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach with his clients.

Life is a series of challenges and stresses. Matthew is confident that he can assist you in developing new ways of looking at and coping with the unique challenges that life gives you. If you are ready to get to work on changing you life, schedule an appointment today.

Maria Amadi is a dual-certified Medical and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensed in Virginia with over 30 years of nursing education and experience in various healthcare settings, including 6 years as an NP and the last 2 years as a PMHNP. She cares for individuals ages 14+ with various medical, addiction, behavioral, and psychiatric mental health conditions including anxiety, anger, depression, ADHD, alcohol use, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Maria received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Massachusetts Global. In addition to medication management when needed, she utilizes a holistic approach that considers the client as a whole person and focuses on wellness that supports physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being and improves functionality.

Maria wants you to know that she is here for you and ready and waiting for you to make your first appointment! When you are ready to start, she is ready to walk alongside you.

I am Nikita Smith, LPC. My career in mental health began as an intern at a nursing home, working with individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which inspired my passion for this work. After earning my bachelor's degree, I worked as a QMHP providing Intensive In-Home services to children, adolescents, and families. During my master's degree, I worked as an RBT providing ABA services to individuals with autism. After graduate school, I completed my residency in counseling, specializing in trauma-informed therapy. As an LPC, I provide therapy for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and autism. 

My method of treatment is influenced by a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. I specialize in reframing automatic negative thoughts and utilizing unconditional positive regard. 

My approach is warm, collaborative, and clientcentered. I strive to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, build effective coping skills, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. 

During my career, I have served on active duty in the United States Army and completed rotations in a sleep clinic, primary care center, and cognitive evaluation. I also completed training experiences at a community mental health center in rural Iowa and private practices in Lancaster, PA, and Virginia Beach, VA. I have supervised multiple clinical trainees at various levels and have taught several courses as an adjunct professor. I tailor each treatment to each individual client and enjoy working with clients in every stage of life. 

I have trained in many techniques and treatments and my approach to each client is customized to the individual. I am also flexible in approach, changing and adapting as needed to assist in your success. 

I look forward to hearing your story and being a part of your therapeutic journey.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 12 years of experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, and life transitions. I work with clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain and are seeking clarity, balance, and emotional stability. Many of the people I support are managing relationship challenges, parenting stress, or workplace pressures, and I focus on creating a safe, welcoming space for healing and personal growth.

I hold a master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. I use an integrative, evidence-based approach tailored to each client’s needs, blending counseling techniques that support emotional regulation, insight-building, and practical skill development to promote resilience and lasting change.

You deserve a supportive space where you can feel heard and understood without judgment. Together, we will identify your strengths, develop effective coping tools, and work toward meaningful goals. If you are ready to take the next step in your healing journey, I would be honored to support you.

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.

Elana Sowers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has over 10 years of experience working with a diverse range of clients from children (ages birth to 12), adults, couples, families, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. She specializes in treating concerns or conditions related to difficult life transitions, domestic violence, parenting difficulties, family conflict, sexual assault, grief, stress, loss, low self-esteem, depression, and more. 

Elana earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the State University of New York College-Brockport and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York-Albany. Elana has worked in a variety of settings that include outpatient services with children and families in foster care and with service members, their spouses, and their families on military bases in the US and abroad.

Elana’s experiences have assisted her in becoming a culturally competent, trauma-informed, and strengths-based clinician. She uses an integrative, multi-disciplinary approach that includes being solution focused and person-centered to best help her clients meet their goals. Elana believes that mental health services should be individualized and truly speak to each person’s, couple’s, and family’s preference and need.  

Ja'Lesa Pierce is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She has provided mental health support, counseling, and therapy in a variety of settings including residential, classroom, community, and office. Ja'Lesa has worked with children, families, couples, adolescents, and adults, but she found her niche in assisting teens through middle-aged women with finding their voice, recovery, and resting in a place of purpose. Ja'Lesa is passionate about helping others live their best life—healthy, fulfilled, and whole. Ja'Lesa specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, women's issues, and major life transitions.

Ja'Lesa completed her Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Norfolk State University in 2013. After working in the mental health field for a few years, she realized her desire to help others on a deeper level and went back to school at Virginia Commonwealth University. There, she obtained a Post-Master's Certificate in Professional Counseling in pursuit of LPC licensure. Ja'Lesa's varied experience across a myriad of cultures, backgrounds, dynamics, and diagnoses allows her to bring a unique perspective to the counseling session. Ja'Lesa's charismatic and non-judgmental approach helps her clients feel welcome and free to just be. Ja'Lesa utilizes multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, radical acceptance, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness.

Ja'Lesa understands the nuances of life's stressors, pressures, and upsets. We all go through challenges, and some seasons are more difficult than others to journey through alone. Maybe something has come up in your life that you thought you were over, or maybe imposter syndrome is crippling you where you stand. Maybe grief has been lingering longer than expected, or maybe unhealthy patterns of behavior are starting to impact multiple areas of your life. Whatever "it" is for you, Ja'Lesa is confident that she can support you with gaining new perspectives, reaching a place of acceptance, improving self-esteem and confidence, healing, and developing relevant coping skills that you can utilize for the rest of your life. If you are committed to doing the work, schedule an appointment with her today!

Ife Milligan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Holistic Life Coach (CHLC) with over 10 years of professional experience working with clients of all ages with issues related to grief, loss, depression, ADHD, anxiety, oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), low self-esteem, family conflict, and more. 

She received her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University and earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Morgan State University. She received her Holistic Life Coach certification from the University of Wellness. Ife has worked in a variety of settings and populations, including outpatient mental health, school-based therapy, medical social work, residential care, geriatric care management, and managed care.

She employs cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT), dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), humanistic approaches, motivational interviewing, and more. Ife truly enjoys assisting others on the journey of healing and growth. She'll partner with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs and helps you achieve your goals in and outside of sessions.