Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Newport News, VA

"I look forward to meeting you where you are and walking alongside you to help create your most authentic and whole self."

Emma Dowman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has served clients at child advocacy centers, public schools, a university counseling center, and a psychiatric hospital. Emma has experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, foster/adoption issues, trauma, and religious/spiritual issues. She enjoys working with clients of all ages: children, adolescents, and adults. 

Emma completed both her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services with a concentration in Counseling and her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling at Johnson University. She has a passion for collaborating with each individual to meet their needs while using a cognitive-behavioral, narrative, and solution-focused approach to counseling.

Emma seeks to create an empathetic relationship with individuals to build upon their coping skills and strengths so they can reach the goals they set for themselves and live the life they desire. She hopes to provide each individual with a grace-filled holistic healing opportunity and feels honored at the prospect of doing so.

"As a woman with varied life experience, I understand the need to have a listening ear."

Brenda Naftel is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience. Brenda is passionate about helping young and older adults along their life journey. She has experience in anxiety, depression, domestic violence, couples, and grief.

Brenda completed her Master of Education (MEd) at Auburn Montgomery. She uses cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and sometimes dialectical behavior techniques as the basis for most sessions. 

Along life’s journey there are times we need someone to be there. Brenda would be honored if you would allow her to be with you on life’s challenging journey. She will be your sounding board and offer you coping techniques to help you along the way.

"Life can be challenging and full of ups and downs. As a therapist and a human, I understand the importance of wanting to gain understanding and control of it. "

Crystal Bland is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) who has 13 years of experience in the mental health field. Crystal specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults who are coping with depression, anxiety, and general phase of life challenges. 

Crystal completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. At VCU, her desire to help became ignited as she assisted in many volunteer efforts to help others throughout the city. Crystal completed her master’s degree in Counselor Education; Mental Health at Old Dominion University. She began her professional journey in 2012 as a community-based counselor. Throughout that journey, Crystal gained experienced with mental health skill building, intensive in home, therapeutic day treatment, and outpatient therapy. She has served individuals in schools, community, and various juvenile detentions in the Hampton Roads Area.

 Crystal's theoretical approach is rather eclectic and integrative in general. However, person-centered could be considered the platform in which she practices. Crystal believes in creating a safe space for the client, creating an opportunity for them to be their authentic selves. Alongside person-centered practices, she may also use cognitive-behavioral approaches, solution-focused therapy, reality therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing when appropriate. Crystal believes that rapport is essential to the therapeutic process. She provides a safe, nonjudgmental space with openness and transparency. Crystal believes in empowering individuals so that they can take the driver seat of their lives. She would love to be your passenger.

 I believe that every individual can get through difficulties that arise in life and sometimes we need some help. I am passionate about providing a safe space for you to talk about your story.

Whether you are grieving the loss of a relationship, struggling to communicate to the important people in your life more effectively or you are unsure about how to build a stronger relationship with your child. With compassion and respect we will unearth what is getting in the way of what you want.

I use a personable and direct approach to provide solution focused counseling.

Jamie Bullock is a licensed professional counselor out of Virginia clinically certified in Trauma and EMDR certified who has over seventeen years experience in the mental health field. During this time she has provided therapeutic care to children, teens and adults. She has worked with clients seeking help for substance abuse issue’s, dual- diagnoses (mental health and substance abuse), anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, explosive disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, couples, families, sexual disorders, obsessive disorder, general life skills and specializes in trauma. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice at Drury University and her Master's of Counseling with a dual emphasis of marriage, family, children and mental health at Webster University.

Jamie utilizes a integrative/holistic, strength based, psychoanalysis/dynamic, Cognitive behavioral, Humanistic, Mindfulness, Trauma informed, solution, emotionally focused and EMDR approaches to therapy; maintaining creativity, flexibility and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual and couple.

Jamie seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist you with identifying the root of the issue, bring the implicit into the explicit and gain more awareness and interconnectedness between your brain and body in order to build skills to gain self awareness and esteem to work toward living a meaningful life.

Pennie Hurta is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field. She is invested in assisting children, adolescents, adults, and couples to address a wide range of presenting issues and lead lives filled with hope and happiness. Pennie specializes in trauma, borderline personality disorder (BPD), major life transitions, anxiety, behavioral issues in children and adolescents, depression, and relationship issues

Pennie completed her Master's degree in Community Agency Counseling at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Pennie uses multiple treatment modalities including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solutions-focused therapy (SFT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), among others.

Pennie is confident that she would be able to support you on your journey to living your best life. She's eager to teach you new perspectives, new thought patterns, and new skills that allow you to manage everyday struggles and mental health symptoms. If you are ready to live your best life, schedule an appointment with Pennie today.