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

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Andrew Roberts, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor/ Owner

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.

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Brian Vaughan, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

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.

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Debbie Toscano, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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.

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Michele Neverdon, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Michele is a licensed professional counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and certified practitioner of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Michele also has a Certificate in Nutrition from the University of Richmond which she incorporates into her practice. She believes in a holistic healing approach through counseling and education focused on understanding the mind/body connection. Michele sees adults and couples that are struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress related life issues.

Michele has a varied and extensive history in the legal, technology and management fields. She is also an active leader in her church and she is comfortable with providing therapeutic services from a faith-based perspective.

Michele has a history of working in the community to help others who are struggling. She enjoys both the beach and the mountains and her two cats Pete and Dallas.

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Lynn Giacotto, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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

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Anna Breaux, LPC

LPC Licensed Professional Counselor

Anna joined the Riverside team in 2018. 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.

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Rebecca Needy, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

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.

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Antaysia Nance, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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.

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Sadie Barnes, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sadie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with significant clinical experience working with diverse populations of individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents. Sadie has extensive experience working with emotionally and behaviorally challenged adolescents, children and their families, as well as treating adults with various mental health needs. Sadie’s background in special education has assisted her in working with individual and families who have unique challenges outside of mental health.

As a retired Marine Corps Spouse and mother to an active duty Marine, Sadie is passionate about servicing military service members and their families. Her unique perspective and keen awareness of the strengths and the challenges of military families informs and enhances her clinical acumen.

To augment her clinical experience, she has received formal training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Sadie holds a Master of Science in Special Education from National University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.

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Kim Rudat, LPC

Licensed professional counselor

Kim is a Licensed Professional Counselor 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.

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Chris Mathews, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Chris is an individual, couple and family therapist with years of experience finding solutions for difficult problems in homes and individuals’ lives. His work includes families struggling with intergenerational trauma, substance abuse, and conflict. His other specialties include mood disorders, attachment disorders, dual diagnosis, and substance abuse. His proficiencies in Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness are used to provide new ways to look at problems and find solutions. Chris’s experience also includes working with foster children, families dealing with substance abuse and trauma, and faith-oriented problems. He has worked both in Virginia and Ohio as a licensed clinician, graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Masters in Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Milligan College with a Bachelor in Arts in Religion.

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Lauren Hetzler, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 10 years of experience in mental health providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, families, and adults. I have worked in Emergency Services for multiple years providing crisis intervention for clients in life threatening crisis situations. When working with clients, I believe in using a person-centered approach, setting individualized treatment goals, and meeting clients where they are. I have experience in providing both individual and family therapy to children and adolescents in a residential setting. I currently specialize in working with individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma related symptoms, mood disorders, work related stress, interpersonal relationship conflicts, and crisis intervention.
I will provide a supportive environment for my clients to work through life stressors. Everyone's journey to healing and growth is unique. I believe in providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment where clients can fully express themselves. I will support my client’s exploration of challenging relationships and situations that can make it difficult to connect with oneself and others. When we can connect with each part of ourself, it will produce peace, meaningful relationships with others, and increased self-awareness. I would be honored to assist in your journey towards healing and growth.

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Kathleen Mayou

Licensed Professional Counselor

Kathleen is a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years’ experience working with individuals, family and couple’s therapy and substance use. Kathleen relies on Person centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation, to give client’s the tools necessary to navigate stressors of daily life. Techniques most utilized include solution focused, mindfulness, and seeking safety to aid in the healing from family issues, dual diagnosed, trauma and mood disorders.

Kathleen’s experience includes working with families in a family-based program, running a family based substance use housing program, methadone clinic providing therapeutic services to include individual and group therapy as well as private practice working with individuals to reduce symptoms related to stress and anxiety, depression and substance use.

Kathleen holds a MS in Counseling Psychology from Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts and a master’s degree in Human resource management from Georgetown University in DC.

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Our Residents and Interns in Counseling

You can rely on our highly competent resident and intern counselors to provide you with compassionate services. Our highly-qualified residents and interns work under the direct supervision of licensed counselors, working together to help you heal and grow.

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Seth Criner

Resident in Counseling

Seth believes that the relationship between client and therapist is essential and sufficient for growth, healing, and progress in the counseling process. Another core belief of his is that every individual possesses key components necessary to achieve the quality of life that they desire. He operates from a base in existential and choice theory. Seth utilizes interventions from narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and reality therapy primarily, but also draws from other approaches when appropriate. He also has experience with lay counseling in the church and is comfortable providing counseling from a faith-based perspective. Seth’s areas of focus include trauma, veterans, first responders, substance use, grief and loss, and couples work.

Seth graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2015. He then quickly embarked on his journey of working in a variety of settings providing mental health services including crisis intervention, therapeutic day treatment, intensive in-home counseling, and substance use treatment. He completed his graduate studies at Radford University where he earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020. In his free time, Seth enjoys hunting, fishing, training jiu-jitsu, and playing music.

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Rashana Robinson

Supervisee in Social Work

Rashana is a Supervisee in Social Work who is currently pursuing her licensure as a Clinical Social Worker. She grew up and trained in London, England where she graduated from Brunel University London with her Bachelor's in Social Work. She then moved back to America and pursued her Master's in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.

Rashana discovered her passion for working with children and adolescents very early on in her career. She has worked in various social work roles since 2008. These included Child Protective Services, Domestic Violence Safehouses, Juvenile Youth Offending, and Youth Residential Homes and Facilities. She currently serves as a School Social Worker and provides students and families with support through connecting and providing them with community resources, therapeutic services, and interventions in order to help students access their education. Using a Person Centered Approach and a Strengths Perspective, Rashana works with students who experience a variety of emotional, mental, and behavioral issues; and provides them with a safe space to work through crisis, learn coping skills, social skills, and mindfulness techniques.

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Leslie Noble

Counseling Intern

Leslie is a practicum student at The College of William & Mary where she is earning her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Before entering the counseling field, Leslie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance from UNC Greensboro. For the past two years, Leslie has been a teacher with Richmond City Public Schools where she taught dance as an elective course. Leslie is excited to pursue this new career path in counseling.

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Rachelle Shields

Social Work Intern

Rachelle earned the Presidential Scholarship to Missouri State University, where she was awarded the Missouri Bright Flight, the Doris C. Lorz Opera Scholarship, and Vocal Student of the Year.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude and received a full fellowship to Washington University, St. Louis.  There, she earned a Masters of Music degree for opera performance.  Over the years, she’s been a musician, philanthropist, substitute teacher for Spotsylvania County, certified yoga instructor, world traveler, scuba diver, seamstress, and interior designer.  She’s constructed 18th century ballgowns, swam with sharks, and climbed into the center of the Great Pyramid.  Now, she’s pursuing social work so she can explore the depths of the human heart. 

Rachelle may be completing an MSW at VCU, but she’s no spring chicken.  She’s acquainted with the traumas and complexities of life, and she has a wide knowledge of psychology and human behavior.  She enjoys using cognitive behavioral and solutions-focused techniques, but she believes in tailoring treatment to each client.  She has years of personal and professional experience with kids of all ages, and she equally enjoys working with adults.  She also loves dogs, and she’s training her Cavalier Spaniel—Rosie—as a therapy assistant.

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Maria Smith

counseling intern

Maria Smith is a practicum student at Liberty University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English language, literature and translation from Pontifícia Universidade Católica in São Paulo, Brazil, and is bilingual (Portuguese and English). Since 2016, Maria has divided her time between caring for her family and furthering her education in psychology and counseling, volunteering at hospice, and pursuing her passion for practicing and teaching Yoga (RYT200, RYT500). Maria believes that counseling can help individuals discover more efficient ways to approach life’s challenges and develop new relationships with their thoughts and emotions.

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Eric Bell

counseling intern

Eric feels that counseling is about people helping people. He feels that the therapeutic relationship is rooted in compassion, benevolence, healing, and growth. He also believes that all clients and their families should be treated with the utmost human dignity, fairness, respect, and care. He operates from a base in solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other methodologies when suitable.

Eric is a retired Army combat veteran. He has strong empathy and intense understanding of the resiliency and obstacles faced by military members and their families. Eric has experience as a certified Juvenile Probation Officer. He also has a compassionate demeanor towards people involved in the criminal justice system. Subsequently to their families and crime victims. He also has experience with faith integration counseling in the church and is confident delivering counseling from a faith-based viewpoint. Eric’s areas of expertise include individuals, young adults, families, codependency, substance abuse, men’s issues, veterans, grief and bereavement, and couple’s work.

Eric graduated from Excelsior College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2007. He then earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration in 2011 from Columbia Southern University. He is a graduate student at Liberty University completing a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Eric is a co-facilitator at both a local Celebrate Recovery group and his church’s drug and alcohol ministry. He is active in his church and is the baptism liaison for his church. He also has experience ministering to convicts in Prison Fellowship Ministry and various other prison ministries. In his spare time, Eric enjoys reading, bowling, watching movies and professional sports, traveling, gym workouts, playing music, arcade and video games, spending time with his family and friends.

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Jacob Wolff

Counseling Resident

Jake Wolff – Riverside Bio

Jake is a Resident in Counseling currently pursuing his licensure as an LPC. Jake earned his Master’s degree in Education and Human Development with a focus in School Counseling from The George Washington University in 2018. He was the recipient of the Harry Grubb Detwiler Memorial Award for outstanding achievement, professionalism, and dedication in the field of counseling. With a belief that everybody is the expert in their own growth, Jake takes a person-centered and strengths-based approach to helping others discover the tools necessary for their success.

Prior to graduate school, Jake served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. Jake’s experiences with grief support, victim advocacy, and life transition guidance were ultimately what led him to the mental health field. In addition to his work at Riverside Counseling, Jake is currently a full-time school counselor in Stafford County and serves as a USMC Reservist.

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Brandon Lowe

Counseling Resident

Brandon is a Resident in Counseling, working towards his licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Brandon received his Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. Prior to his graduate program, Brandon had an eight year career in fundraising, working at several nonprofits in Richmond, VA. His educational background is in Urban Studies and Planning. He appreciated his time in the nonprofit world and sees his pivot to counseling as an extension to his career as a helping professional.

Brandon has a client-centered approach to counseling and is heavily influenced in his approach to counseling by Attachment theory, Polyvagal Theory, and others. Brandon enjoys working with adult clients, including couples, in the areas of vocation/life balance, depression, trauma, grief, and other interpersonal issues.

Brandon lives in Richmond, VA with his partner and two children. He enjoys hiking, bike riding, being outside in general, and loves to play and watch soccer.

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Office Staff

Chivon (1)

Chivon LeSassier

office administrator - Fredericksburg

In Loving Memory

Riverside Counseling

Camille Macdonald

Camille Macdonald was co-owner of Riverside Counseling from 2015 until 2019. She believed that it took courage and strength to take the necessary steps in order to improve one's life.

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.

 

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Our Associate at 404 Chatham

Riverside Counseling

Joe Johnson, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Joe is an excellent clinician who shares office space with Riverside Counseling and uses this website for promotional purposes. He is not an employee or contractor of Riverside Counseling.

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