Our counselors provide therapy in Manassas, VA

Hi, I’m Madison Powell, Resident in Counseling, MSEd. I work with adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, stress, and major life transitions. Many of the clients I support feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Whether you're looking to heal from past experiences, build healthier coping skills, strengthen your relationships, or feel more confident in managing life's challenges, I aim to provide a supportive space where you can feel heard, understood, and respected. 

My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and tailored to your unique needs. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, person-centered, and narrative approaches, I help clients identify patterns, reframe unhelpful beliefs, build resilience, and develop practical tools for lasting change and personal growth. 

Seeking support takes courage, and you don't have to navigate life's challenges alone. My goal is to create a safe, compassionate environment where you feel empowered to grow, heal, and move forward with confidence. If you're ready to invest in yourself and your well-being, I would be honored to be part of 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.

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.

I'm April Gardner, a Mental Health Resident with seven years of experience supporting individuals and couples. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, family challenges, and communication barriers between partners, including ADHD-related dynamics. I offer a faith-based Christian counseling perspective for those who want faith woven into their healing, and I run groups for ADHD and Search for Significance, a faith-centered approach to self-worth. I'm here to walk beside you through the hard parts.

My approach blends psychoeducation with faith-based support and hands-on practice between sessions. Homework isn't boring worksheets. It's creative experiments and novel experiences that fit how your brain works. Whether we're tackling ADHD, couple communication, or self-worth, you'll get clear tools, real goals, and progress you can see.

Whatever brought you here, you don't have to carry it alone anymore. Taking the first step is often the hardest part, and showing up for yourself is already courage. When you're ready, I'd be honored to walk beside you. You deserve support that meets you where you are.

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.