Our Counselors

Ashley Groeper, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Ashley Groeper is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia with an MA in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Originally from North Carolina, she moved to Virginia in 2007 to pursue her passion of helping people. 

Ashley is experienced with couples, families, and individuals experiencing adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, addiction, and complex disorders such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Major Depression. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral therapy and utilizes a Person-Centered Approach.

Ashley’s warmth, acceptance and empathy will enable you to find hope and healing.

Education

Liberty University
Master's in Professional Counseling

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Life stages and changes
• Adjustment
• Grief & Loss
• Addiction
• Relationships
• Assertiveness

Dr. Marcela Mejia, PsyD

** Services are offered in English and Spanish
** Individual and Couples Therapy 

Doctor Marcela Mejia is a licensed psychologist, in the state of Florida and Virginia, specializing in helping adolescents and adults understand and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and her Doctorate of Psychology, with Utmost Distinction, from Albizu University.

Dr. Mejia utilizes cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, strength-based, mindfulness-based, and humanistic approaches to therapy. She focuses on each individual holistically, studying the client’s point of view at all stages of the treatment through assessment of their current emotional and mental state. She is committed to providing a nurturing environment and helping clients develop coping skills so they can unlock their creativity and thrive, becoming the best version of themselves.

There are times in life when we face personal, professional, or relationship challenges that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about ourselves or our choices. Dr. Mejia offers her knowledge, experience, and expertise to help you find peace of mind, unload your suffering and pain, renew your sense of hope and freedom, and make healthy choices to move toward a full, authentic, and harmonious life.

Dr. Mejia’s specialties:

• Depression
• Anxiety / Stress
• Trauma and PTSD
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Anger management & Communication
• Relationship issues
• Grief / Loss
• Drug and Alcohol Addiction / Abuse
• Coping with Life transitions (i.e., divorce, becoming a care giver, job loss, re-establishment sense of self / identity)

Kathleen Roberts, LCSW

Philosophy of Care

Kathleen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia who has over six years of experience working with individuals who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, childhood abuse, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, grief, and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Kathleen obtained her bachelor's degree in social work from Longwood University, and her Masters of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014. 

Kathleen is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a therapeutic modality for working through trauma. She also incorporates mindfulness, relational, and strengths-based approaches in her work with each individual. She recognizes each individual brings his or her own unique experiences and perspectives to therapy, and tailors each session to the individual. Kathleen also enjoys a collaborative relationship with her clients, so each client feels empowered to reach his or her goals. 

If you are looking to take the next step in your journey toward healing, Kathleen will be honored to walk alongside you. She recognizes the courage needed to start therapy, and will provide a space that feels safe and warm to work through life’s stressors. 

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master's of Social Work

Specialties

• Panic Counseling
• Phobia Counseling
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• PTSD
• EDMR
• CBT
• Academic and Work Issues

Landon Sheriff, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Landon Sheriff is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia with 10 years of experience with adults and children who are seeking assistance managing: depression, anxiety, life changes, family issues, autism, urges to self-harm, suicidality, trauma, and the transition and ongoing difficulty with adoption and foster care.  Landon received his Master of Arts from Liberty University in Professional Counseling and in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Landon specializes in a cognitive-behavioral approach to therapy that focuses on how you view and interpret information, what it tells you, and how your interpretation affects how you feel, think, and what you do.  The focus of this form of therapy is to learn how to filter and process information in a way that breeds confidence, awareness, and clearer thinking.

Landon seeks to build a genuine and warm relationship with you in order to empower you to reach your goals and to live the best life you can.  Landon’s philosophy on the counseling relationship focuses on collaboration as you have the power to make great strides towards your goals and dreams.

Education

Liberty University
Master's in Professional Counseling

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-harm/Suicidal thoughts
• Family issues
• Adoption/Foster Care
• Self-Esteem
• Trauma
• Autism/Intellectual Disabilities

Linda Modelfino, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Linda Modelfino is a psychiatric nurse practitioner in the state of Virginia who has  been working in healthcare for over 26 years. Linda’s background consists of  acute psychiatry in a hospital setting, ICU, management and education. She  assists her clients to overcome their difficulties with depression, anxiety, mood  instability, trauma, ADHD, behavioral and other disorders. She obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing from VCU/MCV and her Master’s degree in Nursing  from Wilkes University. 

Linda doesn’t just provide medication management to her patient’s but also seeks  to get to know her patients and understand what’s important to them, their  struggles, where they have been and assist them with helping to obtain their  goals for the future. She believes in a biopsychosocial approach to help patients  get to their highest level of functioning and life satisfaction. 

Life is always throwing curveballs, don’t struggle alone. Let’s collaborate together  and help your child who is struggling in school, your depression that keeps you  from being able to function or your mood instability that is causing problems  within the family. 

Education

Wilkes University
Master's in Nursing

Specialties

• Schizophrenia 
• Insomnia 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder 
• Personality Disorders 
• Trauma/PTSD 
• Adjustment disorders 
• Depression/Anxiety 
• ADHD 
• Bipolar disorders
• Child psychiatry

Uche Umejei, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Uche Umejei is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and is licensed in the State of Virginia with over 20 years’ experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  She has been working in Mental Health and Behavioral Services for over 10 years.  She is experienced in treating adults with both medical and mental illnesses.  Being both Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, she applies integrative health care model in dealing with her patients.

Uche completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Norfolk State University, Master’s degree at Hampton University as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctorate degree at Old Dominion University, all in Virginia.  She completed her Post Master’s degree at the University of New Hampshire as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, (PMHNP).  In her training as a PMHNP, she acquired extensive knowledge with children’s and adults’ mental health care such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar disorder, substance abuse and Insomnia.

Uche focuses on evaluating and diagnosing patients, along with treating them with psychotherapies. She prescribes medications and focuses on a holistic approach to healthcare. She diagnoses mental health issues, including substance abuse, depression, PTSD, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, anxiety disorder for both adults and children. With you working with her, she will be able to manage your mental illness and get you back to living your normal life. She is responsible for assessing your mental health status by studying your medical history, performing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and identify risk factors that might be affecting your mental health. She manages your medications and ensures that your medications are accomplishing their intended job and also manage whatever side effects they may have.

She is compassionate and empathetic.  She educates and informs patients and their families about mental health issues and steps they can take to boost their care.  She takes care of mental illness of patients ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics and all people between.  She determines most effective plan of care by utilizing the knowledge of psychotherapy modalities and psychopharmacology, and in collaboration with other professionals to provide the best treatment for the patient.  She feels rewarded when she sees the changes and growth in her patients that she has facilitated.

Education

Hampton University
Family Nurse Practitioner

Old Dominion University
Doctorate

Specialties

• ADHD for both children and adult
• Anxiety disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Substance Abuse
• Insomnia
• Eating disorder

Yasim Clark, LPC, CSOTP

Philosophy of Care

I am a firm believer in transformation and patience. These are two key components to life and also effective counseling. We are all constantly inundated with educational, financial, spiritual, and career conflicts which lead to traumatic events. The struggle to maintain balance in our lives can be difficult, especially since covid-19 has altered life as we have known it. Stress and uncertainty can cause depression, anxiety, PTSD, and high-risk behaviors (i.e. sexual promiscuity, defiance, anger outbursts) in an attempt to cope alone. Therapy is a unique and transforming process, which can be rewarding in many different ways. It is Important for a client and therapist to embark on the journey together with respect and trust in one another. If this sounds like you please feel free to contact me.

Education

Walden University
Master of Science

Specialties

• Relationships
• Depression
• PTSD
• CBT
• Mindfulness/Meditation
• Sexual Offenders