Experienced Mental Health Professionals
At Riverside Counseling, we handpick our counselors because we know they are aligned with our philosophy and mission. Our highly trained staff is qualified and care deeply about the growth and progress of all our clients.
Our Licensed Counselors
Andrew Roberts, LPC
Andrew Roberts has been described by his clients and those that know him best as “Compassionate, enthusiastic, self-aware, knowledgeable, and caring.” This combination of characteristics allows him to provide the firm theoretical structure necessary in counseling and is the heart and soul of what makes a counselor endowed to assist clients in making needed changes in their lives.
Showing genuine concern and maintained objectivity, Andrew provides a safe and nurturing counseling environment. This allows his clients to be more open to solving their issues, paving the way to producing lasting results. He uses a variety of interventions but relies heavily on Cognitive Behavioral and Reality Therapy.
His diverse work and life experiences—he ran the Intensive Outpatient Program at Snowden for substance abuse and worked for a number of years as the owner and operator of a hunting and fishing guide service—puts him in a league of his own as far as having so much more to offer than book learning.
Andrew holds a master’s degree from The College of William and Mary in Community and Addictions Counseling. He particularly enjoys working with adolescents and adults in their efforts to make positive changes in their lives.
Dr. Cynthia Repanshek, LCP
Dr. Cyndi Repanshek has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from York College of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University-Washington DC. She completed an undergraduate internship at Johns Hopkins University's Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU).
Cyndi completed her predoctoral internship with the Mid-Atlantic Internship Consortium and her postdoctoral fellowship at a private clinical/forensic practice in Central Oklahoma. She has worked at community mental health centers, an adolescent group home, a college counseling center, a volunteer hospice, and private practices.
At Rose State College, she was an adjunct instructor for several years and has presented on grief and family matters in regional and international conferences.
Tracey Groux, LPC
With more than 20 years of experience in the mental health treatment field, Tracey is a dedicated professional. She has practiced in a variety of settings and levels of care and has a solid reputation with clients, clinicians, and medical professionals.
Tracey graduated Summa Cum Laude from Marymount University, where she was a guest lecturer and adjunct professor. While she is comfortable with helping other populations, her true passion lies in working with those dealing with anxiety disorders, trauma, and mood disorders.
Brian Vaughan, LPC
Brian is a licensed professional counselor, a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP). In addition to providing group and individual therapy for persons who are sexually addicted, their spouses, and family members, Brian offers therapy for persons experiencing anxiety, depression, and substance addiction.
He has an extensive background in the human service field, dating back to his service as a Roman Catholic priest. Consequently, he is comfortable with providing therapeutic services from a faith perspective. Brian has a warm and engaging demeanor. He often bikes in the spring, summer, and fall. He and his wife enjoy the outdoors and their cat, Sophia.
Debbie Toscano, LCSW
Debbie has more than 25 years of diverse experiences in individual, family, and marital therapy. She has worked with various groups of people, including children and adolescents, focusing mostly on utilizing solutions, focuses, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
She is passionate about educating and nurturing individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, stress, phobias, and beyond. Debbie is a Reiki Master and is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Michelle Buhrandt, LCSW
Michelle graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Michelle has a vast background of experience in social work, including in the areas of research and teaching, clinical mindfulness intervention strategies, and is certified to provide clinical supervision to LCSW residents.
Currently providing outpatient counseling services to the community in a private practice setting. Michelle strives to provide clients with therapeutic services in a supportive and comfortable environment. The focus of sessions are oriented towards growth and contentment simultaneously. Michelle’s passion for this work is exemplified in her efforts of continued learning and sharing.
In November 2019, Michelle was proud to become co-owner of Riverside Counseling of Richmond.
Lynn Giacotto, LCSW
Lynn Giaccotto has more than 15 years of counseling experience helping individuals, including adolescents and couples, improve their lives, achieve their goals, and cope with life stressors. She is also a Reiki Master and a Certified Mediator
Anna Breaux, LPC
Anna joined the Riverside team in 2108. Anna has extensive experience in Mental Health Counseling, having run an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program as well as working with individuals. Anna relies on psychoeducation and cognitive behavior therapy to help provide clients with the tools they need to heal and grow.
Rebecca Needy, LPC
Rebecca received her undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University and her graduate degree in Counseling Education from Virginia Tech. She became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2012. Rebecca has over 15 years of counseling experience which includes working with children, adolescents and adults. Rebecca’s interest is to work with adolescents and adults in dealing with depression, anxiety, anger management, relationship issues, mood swings and work stress. Striving to attain a connection with clients to better understand their needs is Rebecca’s main concern as a therapist. The therapeutic relationship is Rebecca’s main priority using Person Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
Antaysia Nance, LCSW
Antaysia graduated from the University of South Florida as Cum Laude with her Bachelors in Social Work. She graduated as Cum Laude with her Masters in Social Work from one of the top HBCU’s in America, Howard University in Washington, DC. Antaysia began her career as an in-home therapist, therapeutic day treatment therapist, and an intake therapist through a community-based agency in Fredericksburg, VA. Antaysia also served as a school social worker in support of students and their families to access resources and provide clinical services to those who experienced emotional, mental, and behavioral health disorders.
In all, Antaysia has worked in the mental health field for 5 years. Her professional mission has been to engage children, families, and communities in such a way that promotes education, health (mental and physical) and overall citizenship through therapy, self-empowerment, and goal setting. Antaysia has expanded her professional lens to influence all individuals and to understand the impacts of mental health over the whole life span (from children to the elderly). Her special interests are to support individuals who are suffering from anxiety, depression, lacking healthy coping tools, and facing life transitions. Antaysia implements a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach and is expanding her practice to include crisis intervention skills.
Lindsay Czajka, LCP
Dr. Lindsay Czajka has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington, as well as a Master of Arts and Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University-Washington, D.C. Lindsay also completed her doctoral degree with a concentration in Diversity and Multicultural Psychology. Her clinical research project developed an integrative treatment for trauma, with cultural considerations. She is also a member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
Dr. Czajka completed her pre-doctoral APA accredited internship with the Mid-Atlantic Internship Consortium and her postdoctoral residency at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital. Lindsay has extensive inpatient and outpatient clinical experience, including geropsychology, community mental health, forensic psychology, and in-home services. She is passionate about diversity and the uniqueness of each individual. Thus, all therapy and interventions are chosen with consideration of and sensitivity to each person’s unique circumstance, grounded in research findings. 5 credits of play therapy. Moreover, she has worked with all ages and various diagnoses.
Lindsay considers herself a life-long learner, who desires to learn with you. She was trained in an integrative program. Her psychotherapeutic approach is empathic, supportive, and insight-oriented. She also includes dialectical, interpersonal, liberation psychology, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral interventions into her work based on individual characteristics. She is currently an analytic candidate at the Contemporary Freudian Society. Her love of learning also extends into teaching; in the spring of 2020, Lindsay will be an adjunct professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Lindsay looks forward to accompanying you on your journey.
Our Residents and Interns in Counseling
You can rely on our highly competent resident and intern counselors to provide you with compassionate services. We work together to help you achieve healing and growth.
Kim Rudat
Kim is a Resident in Counseling who specializes in marriage and family therapy. Her focus is on premarital couple counseling, high-conflict relationships, and separating and divorcing couples.
Her areas of focus are helping clients develop effective means of communication and breaking through behavioral impasses to move forward in interpersonal relationships. Kim holds an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University.
Chloe Morrissett
Chloe is currently a Resident in Counseling, pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor through the Virginia Board of Counseling. Chloe has worked in various roles as a mental health provider, to include vocational counseling, crisis management and outpatient therapist. She specializes in counseling on an individual basis, utilizing solution focused and reality based techniques to assist individuals struggling with substance use depression, anxiety and coping with stressors of everyday life.
Kristin Pacello
Resident Kristin Pacello is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a dual degree in Social Work and Public Health. Kristin is a 200-hour registered yoga instructor who excels in mindfulness, relaxation techniques and meditation. Kristin brings to the team extensive experiences which have contributed to her counseling outlook, including living in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer as well as volunteering with Service to America, in Los Angeles, California. Kristin utilizes mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy in her work, where she specializes in children ages 4-12.
Melanie Justis
Melanie is an intern in counseling who works with all ages, specializing in child and adolescent counseling. She is earning her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University with a certificate in play therapy. Melanie comes from a background in fine arts, education, and yoga which has influenced facets of her approach to counseling. Melanie fundamentally comes from a person-centered approach. However she draws elements from CBT, narrative therapy, mindfulness-based, expressive therapy, and play therapy to meet the needs of her clients.
Our Staff
Kathy Arias
Jennifer Larochelle
In Loving Memory
Camille Macdonald
With great empathy and compassion, Camille assisted her clients in seeing the bigger picture and finding fulfillment in their lives. Her loving presence and spirit will always drive Riverside's philosophy of helping people heal and grow.
Our Associate at 404 Chatham
