Meet our Counselors

Colette Brooks, NCC, CCTP, MA, M.Ed, Resident in Counseling and Practice Owner

We walk through life viewing the world through our own unique experiences. It's like looking at the world through a straw. Try this: Take your hand and form a circle with all your fingers. Now, look through that circle. Notice how limited your view is? Imagine if you could open new possibilities and new potential by broadening your view and changing your narrative?  Colette can help you work through issues from the past and rediscover happiness.

As a military spouse (Retired Army) and former business executive, Board Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified Life Coach, Colette brings a wealth of experience to her role as Resident in Counseling and owner of Thriveworks Fredericksburg and Hanover.  She has been recognized for her skills by CEO Magazine with the Executive Management Award, holds a BS in Business, an MA in Education and Human Development and an MA in Mental Health Counseling.

Colette can help with:

• Life Coaching
• Career and life transitions
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Couples counseling
• Women’s issues

Sandra McKinney, Office Manager/Lead Scheduler

Sandra McKinney is the Office Manager/Lead Scheduler for Thriveworks-Fredericksburg and Hanover Locations. Sandra has over 12 years experience in handling the various aspects of administrative operations, along with knowledge of customer service and reception duties. She strives to make the experience of contacting our office smooth and welcoming while building productive relationships with our clients when scheduling appointments. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Liberty University.

Sandra has a wide range of office experience in different settings in Her focus is scheduling clients via phone and email contact, office management, and ensuring office standards are met to drive performance improvements and effectiveness.  Sandra takes a person-centered approach when speaking to each person that is seeking an appointment for counseling.

Staying true to her Arkansas roots, Sandra enjoys cooking, walking for exercise, an occasional hiking trip, and planting flowers. She appreciates the beauty and myriad of things to do in Virginia. In her spare time, Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, grandchildren, friends, and her “granny dog, “Cookie.” She likes reading Amish Fiction, self-help books, hiking, going to historical sites, museums and concerts.

Aimee Kluczinski, LCSW

Aimee is a LCSW with over two decades of experience helping people improve the quality of their relationships with others and themselves. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Delaware and a Master's in Social Work from Widener University.

Aimee enjoys partnering with her clients and assisting them to develop a healthy sense of self. Some approaches Aimee uses are solution-focused therapy, CBT and DBT. She has worked with clients in a number of settings including hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics and domestic violence shelters.

When she's not in the office, Aimee can be found devouring the latest mystery novel or hiking with her two Labrador retrievers Daisy and Bear.

Aimee can help adults who are struggling with:

• Anxiety
• Chronic Pain or Illness
• Depression
• Self Esteem Issues
• Relationship Difficulties
• Self Harm
• Trauma
• Women's Issues

Krista Hale, LPC

Krista has worked with children and families in a variety of settings. She enjoys providing help and support to individuals of all ages, couples, families, and groups in diverse life situations.

A holistic counselor, Krista uses a person-centered approach which is accepting and non-judgmental and is respectful of other’s world views. A warm, intuitive, and empathic counselor with a sense of humor, Krista helps clients flourish despite life’s setbacks. Depending on the needs of her clientele, she utilizes a variety of evidence-based interventions drawing from theoretical orientations such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-focused Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing, as well as incorporating non-traditional interventions that complement healing such as expressive arts and meditation.

Krista holds a BSW and MS in Counseling. She is a member of the Virginia Counselor’s Association. Krista enjoys spending time with her four children and grandchildren, gardening, cooking, traveling, writing, and photography.

Book your appointment today and begin your journey to a better life.

Krista can help with:

• Couples therapy
• Depression
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Gender Identity
• Mood Disorder
• Suicidality
• Self-harm behaviors

Crystal Waites, LPC

Crystal is an LPC who strives to help others increase awareness of their personal choices and tap into their creative freedom.  Her aim is to guide the exploration of various possibilities to ultimately bring about new, positive behavior patterns and accomplish desired outcomes for one's life.

For over 12 years, she has worked in a variety of settings helping individuals and families experience emotional healing.  She provides counseling using an array of treatment modalities including DBT, Rogerian, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and CBT to include counseling techniques such as active-listening, role-play, simulation, parent-child interactive, behavioral assignments, activity monitoring, thought recording and other activities befitting to provide individualized counseling services.

Crystal believes that the relationship between counselor and client is a collaborative one. She spend her leisure time hiking, traveling and further enhancing my skill set. She also enjoys spending time with my family and our friends.

Crystal can help with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance Use
• Anger Management
• Women’s issues

Erika Wormeley, MA, Resident in Professional Counseling

Therapy is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Erika has been working hard with her clients for over a decade. She most enjoys working with adults and emerging adults (13-19 years old) with mental health and substance abuse issues. Using a whole-person approach, Erika can assist you in identifying issues that are preventing you from living your best life, and work with you to make realistic and sustainable changes. She uses Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral styles of therapy, as well as Motivational Interviewing and Person-Centered approaches to challenge her clients to dig deep and find recovery through non-judgmental and honest conversations and activities. With empathy, humor, and creativity she will walk with you through struggles and celebrate every success.

Erika is a Resident in Professional Counseling, working toward her licensure in the state of Virginia. Erika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington, and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University.

Erika can assist with:

• Anxiety
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Substance Abuse
• Relationship issues
• Postpartum depression and anxiety
• Trauma

Whitney Wiley, MA Resident in Professional Counseling

Whitney Wiley enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, families and couples. She incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist individuals with processing thoughts and behaviors and developing solid coping skills. She also utilizes Strategic Family Therapy to help improve relationships and family dynamics. As a military spouse, she understands the unique needs of military families.

Whitney is a Resident in Professional Counseling working towards her licensure in the state of Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Services and a Master’s of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University.

Whitney can help with:

• Grief
• Anxiety
• Trauma recovery
• Low Self-Esteem
• Self-Harm behaviors
• Family Relationships
• Depression and Mood Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Kate Fountain, MA Resident in Professional Counseling

Kate brings over 5 years experience working with families. She enjoys working with adults, children and families experiencing a variety of issues. She includes CBT, Mindfulness and Narrative therapy techniques to assist clients in healing and creating positive change in their lives. She is passionate about offering counseling that is non-judgmental and supportive for every client.

Kate is a Resident in Professional Counseling working towards her licensure in the state of Virginia. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University.

Kate can help with:

• Grief
• Anger
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Coping Skills
• Family Relationships
• Life Transitions
• Peer Relationships
• Women's Issues
• Interpersonal Conflicts
• Depression and Mood Disorders
• Trauma recovery

Patricia Clark, MS, CCTP, Resident in Counseling

Therapy is a journey of self-discovery where therapist and client work together in partnership to understand how relationship attachments and mental pictures create the template from with individuals, families and couples come to experience and interact within their world.  As a retired Navy wife, Patricia understands the unique needs of each member of the family.  Patricia utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to assist clients with processing thoughts, behaviors and emotions.

Patricia is a Resident in Counseling working towards licensure in the state of Virginia.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Cappella University, and Two Post Master’s certifications in Advance Family Systems from North Central University.

Patricia can help with:

• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Couples therapy
• Co-parenting counseling
• Depression
• Family therapy
• Mood disorders
• Trauma (PTSD)
• Life Transitions
• Low self-esteem
• Peer Relationships
• Women’s issues