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94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting trauma therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
As a bi-racial woman who has experienced trauma and loss of loved ones, I am able to connect with those who are trying to rebuild ...
About
As a bi-racial woman who has experienced trauma and loss of loved ones, I am able to connect with those who are trying to rebuild themselves, and find joy in their everyday lives.
Hey, my name is Dr. Kayla Thorne! I have received my Doctorate in Human Services, Master of Social Work, and Bachelor of Arts in sociology. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2025 and have provided therapy to children, adolescents, and teenagers since 2023 as a Supervisee in Social Work. I have also provided therapy to college-aged students and adults since 2025. I enjoy the wide variety of clients that I work with who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and life changes. I work with the clients to set goals for therapy and help them achieve those goals throughout the therapy timeframe.
I use a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach and have specialized training in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress. I focus on active listening, cognitive restructuring, and assigning homework (as needed) between sessions to support continued growth.
Life can be challenging to navigate at times, especially when you feel anxious, stressed, or alone. I know it can be hard to find someone to trust to talk about your experiences when it seems impossible to deal with the life stressors. I'll be there to meet you where you are during those tough times, so feel free to book a session with me.
Education and training
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I believe that therapy should be a space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered....
I believe that therapy should be a space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered.
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.
As a therapist, I will do all that I can to learn who you are and what you're looking for, and then help create truly meaningful c...
As a therapist, I will do all that I can to learn who you are and what you're looking for, and then help create truly meaningful change.
I specialize in working with people with ADHD and autism, as well as anyone looking for a space where they can feel genuinely heard. As your therapist, I will not be another voice telling you to push through and make things work when they just won't. I will show up as a kind, calm person who's ready to meet you where you are without judgement. I’ll take the time to get to know you, learn what matters to you, and work with you to create the change you're looking for. If you're feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to even begin, that's okay. We can figure it out together!
In our sessions, you’ll have space to talk openly about whatever is on your mind. I can offer structure, feedback, and practical guidance when that’s helpful, while also giving you room to slow down, sort through your thoughts and emotions, and make sense of what you’re experiencing.
You deserve a life that is authentic and feels like your own. We can talk, get to know each other a little, and see if working together feels like a good fit. I'm available to work virtually with anyone in VA.
As one who has experienced personal trauma, loss, and hardship, I offer an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can safely ex...
As one who has experienced personal trauma, loss, and hardship, I offer an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can safely explore your experiences, develop new life skills, and engage in holistic healing.
I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering empathetic, research-driven care to individuals of all ages. I have worked with clients facing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, and other psychiatric conditions. Many individuals seek insight, emotional stability, and actionable strategies to navigate stressors, strengthen relationships, and regain a sense of control. I am particularly committed to empowering clients seeking deeper self-understanding, resilience, and working toward meaningful, lasting change.
My personality style is warm, empathetic, and approachable, creating a safe space where clients feel comfortable being open and honest. I help them feel heard, understood, and empowered. I value authenticity and maintain a nonjudgmental attitude, meeting each person where they are and helping clients build practical skills for lasting growth and healing.
Taking the first step toward mental wellness can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. I am here to support you with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to your growth and healing. I encourage you to take the next step and begin your journey toward meaningful change.
I hope to create a safe space for clients to be themselves and explore their inner experiences....
I hope to create a safe space for clients to be themselves and explore their inner experiences.
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.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people with PTSD/trauma therapy is to use a trauma-focused CBT approach. I feel it is important to have a gentle approach to PTSD because of the sensitivity involved with trauma. I allow my clients to guide how intensive the therapy sessions are with mindfulness around the touchiness of the subjects discussed.
I teach the following tools in PTSD/ trauma therapy:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy when the client has a decrease in symptoms via their self-report, a noticeable increase in functioning, and the ability to discuss trauma subjects with a decreased negative emotional response.
Clients can supplement with time in PTSD/trauma therapy by:
To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma therapy session, someone can write down what they would like me to know about the experiences that have impacted them and what my clients have done thus far to cope with the trauma.
Trauma therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on treating the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals. Trauma therapy helps people process and heal from their trauma by guiding them through their trauma in a compassionate and supportive way, allowing clients to feel the full scope of what happened to them and eventually move on from the event(s). This process helps people who have experienced trauma find ways to feel safe in their lives.
Trauma therapy will often require individuals to walk through their experiences in a controlled and compassionate setting (unless the client has a dissociative disorder) so that they can fully process the event, an activity that will allow them to move on from what happened and feel safe again. Thriveworks Norfolk therapists will also help clients learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms outside of therapy.
Thriveworks trauma counseling in Norfolk, VA is conducted both in person and online through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
If an individual is working through a single event that occurred during adulthood, they may only need a few months of treatment. However, in instances of childhood trauma or repeated traumatic events, therapy may continue over the course of years. Trauma therapy usually ends when the client believes they have met their therapeutic goals, however long that takes to occur. Thriveworks therapists in Norfolk, VA will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.
An abusive relationship is just an example of what a traumatic experience is. Maddie’s experience shows just some of the ways in which an abusive relationship can affect you during and after you’ve broken up. Trauma is associated with an event or experience that causes someone severe psychological distress. Like in Maddie’s case, it can also leave you struggling to move on.
If you are a victim and survivor of trauma, consider working with a trauma therapist at Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling. We have therapists, counselors, and psychologists who specialize in helping people heal from their traumatic experiences. We want to help you get back to a healthy, happy, and more successful version of yourself. If you are ready to get started, just give us a call.
Trauma therapy is designed to create a safe and open place for clients to talk with their therapist, counselor, or psychologist. The process is often difficult because you will be sharing your thoughts and emotions associated with the traumatic event in your life. Trauma therapists and PTSD therapists have the same goal in mind: They want to help you heal and/or gain closure from your trauma.
Your Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling trauma therapist will guide you in opening up about your trauma, processing it, exploring your emotions, and coping with symptoms. Some common symptoms associated with trauma and PTSD include:
The emotions you have may develop quickly or slowly. It all depends on your unique situation and the experience you had. Regardless, your therapist will work with you to process these difficult emotions safely and as slowly as you need. Let us help you navigate this journey.
As we just mentioned, we understand that every person’s situation is unique. That’s why your therapist will help you make important progress in healing from your past experiences and move forward at a pace that feels right to you. In addition, your therapist will help you:
In order to achieve these goals, your therapist may use a variety of different methods and techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the more common methods used to help people in their healing journey. It allows the person to correct any harmful thought patterns and process their feelings related to the incident. Specific strategies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure are just a few examples.
Trauma, regardless of the specific event, makes living your normal life very difficult. Don’t wait any longer to press play on the life you want. Let us help you start enjoying life again.
To get started, give us a call at (757) 317-4315 and a scheduling specialist will set you up with an appointment that fits your schedule. You can also schedule your appointment online through our booking portal. We offer our clients evening and weekend sessions in addition to our normal daytime hours. Also, we have online counseling available because we understand that sometimes it’s hard to find the time to get into a session.
We look forward to hearing from you soon and starting this journey of healing together.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Norfolk is located near Hampton Blvd and W 9th St, off Brambleton Ave. It is right by the Elizabeth River and near Old Dominion University.
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