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 Clinicians

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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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Sadie Barnes, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Co-owner

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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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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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

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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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, LPC

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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Brooke Peters, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Brooke is a Licensed Clinical social worker who seeks to come alongside clients, offering a safe environment in their journey toward hope, healing, and change. She creates space for clients to express themselves and to work through areas of pain, hardship, and where they may feel stuck. She uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach, drawing on various techniques, theories, and tools to meet a client’s needs. She is in the last supervision hours of Level 1 EMDR training through an EMDRIA approved training site. If this is a treatment that you would like to explore, please let her know. Brooke has experience and/or training in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families displaying such issues as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral difficulties, adjustment concerns, general life challenges, grief, trauma/PTSD, and those who have been in foster care or are adopted. Brooke has trained or worked in therapeutic foster care, intensive in-home, and school settings. In addition to being an LCSW at Riverside Counseling, Brooke is a school social worker, providing clinical services to children and adolescents in school and working with families for the best interest of their children; as well as providing risk assessments; community resources; and behavioral support within the school system. Brooke is comfortable working with clients from a faith-based perspective, exploring the intersection of faith, worldview, values, beliefs, and the struggles you may be having. Brooke also grew up in a military family and understands the transitions, pressures, and situations unique to military life. Brooke completed her Masters in Social Work from Baylor University. Prior to that, she had a variety of life and work experiences, including living and traveling internationally and thus seeks to be culturally sensitive and responsive. Upon seeing joys and suffering around the world, she found her niche and calling in helping others in their emotional pain and struggles, as they seek to overcome difficulties and recognize their strengths and unique giftings along the way.

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Sharon Bixby, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sharon Bixby, LCSW, offers several years of experience, the fluid use of evidence-based practice and compassionate care to help you find the skills, resources and support systems you need to thrive.

Together we will assess your mental health concerns based both on your current struggles and historical information. Your concerns about your behaviors, emotions, personality and relationships will be treated and improved. Various therapies including DBT, CBT and EFIT with a focus on attachment relationships and mindfulness practices will be employed. My focus areas include, mood disorders, anxiety, personality, trauma/PTSD and grief & loss. Finally, I believe it is critical that we work in partnership based on trust, respect and non-judgment.

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Tim Vinson, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Tim Vinson, LPC has been working in the human services field since 1987 and as a licensed therapist since 2012. Tim graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Masters in Education and a postgraduate-Masters Certificate in Professional Counseling. He has worked in mental health outpatient settings, and as a central office school administrator for over fifteen years specializing in at-risk youth community issues, as a case manager, and has served on various professional mental health committees assisting families and individuals experiencing a wide range of complications in the local community. He especially enjoys seeing the therapy improve his clients overall quality of life.

Tim believes in the importance of continued professional development and participates in continuous advanced clinical training in addiction studies, disaster mental health and various other topics; this helps him find new insights into doing effective therapy. One emphasis he will not change is establishing a trusting, respectful relationship with each client. This means listening patiently and carefully to what is being said, and focusing clearly on what the client would like to do or change. It is his desire to help find a solution that works to assist clients in gaining a positive perspective, whether the need can be addressed through cognitive-behavioral approaches, psycho-educational work, or just basic honest conversation, his end goal is to make living feel more satisfying.

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Jennifer Vaughan

Trauma Coach

Dr. Jennifer Vaughan is a trauma specialist working in the fields of partner, religious, and institutional betrayal. Whether you’ve been betrayed by an intimate partner through infidelity or addiction; a religion, religious leader or religious community; or by an institution/workplace, the betrayal can have a traumatic impact; leading you to lose trust in yourself and others. This is Jennifer’s field of expertise.

Jennifer has a Doctorate in Education from the College of William & Mary with a focus upon coaching adults through difficult change. She has worked in academic settings for over 28 years, coaching adults and families through life’s challenges. She is also a trained Spiritual Director; helping people explore the edges of their faith. While coaching clients, Jennifer uses psychoeducation, somatic release, and multiple coaching modalities to help her clients transform the traumas from life’s hurtful experiences so that they can return to trusting themselves and others again.

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Aleksandra Startek, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Aleksandra Startek, M.S.Ed, LPC, NCC, CTP

"Mental health problems do not define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the
rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN." --Matt Haig

Aleksandra believes that everyone has a story, they just need a safe place to share it. She would be honored to assist you in navigating this journey. She believes that asking for help is a sign of strength and that successful therapy begins with finding the right therapist for yourself. She is here to accompany you on this path.

Aleksandra is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP). She goes beyond "talk therapy" and will incorporate a variety of different approaches and techniques, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused. Her goal is to create a therapeutic space that feels effective for you and meets your needs and goals. Clients consider her a person-centered counselor as she will focus on your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. For those interested in incorporating faith into therapy, Aleksandra also offers Christian-based counseling.

Aleksandra is open to clients of all ages but specializes in working with adolescents, college students, young adults, those in high-pressure careers, and medical professionals. She assists clients with changing their lives and achieving their potential, working through difficulties due to past or current trauma, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, stress, self-esteem, or other life transitions. She provides an empathic, non-judgmental, and nurturing environment where clients can explore their unique feelings and experiences, and process challenges and difficulties.

Aleksandra graduated with her Master's in Counseling from Old Dominion University where she received training in both School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She holds three bachelor's degrees, two earned overseas in Poland. She has experience working in a variety of different settings, including K-12 schools, colleges, day treatment centers, and outpatient mental health. Aleksandra is trained in crisis interventions, suicide prevention, and Mental Health First Aid. She is in the process of becoming a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional and obtaining advanced certification in treating complex trauma. Aleksandra values professional development and invests in continuing education to continuously enhance her qualifications. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the Virginia School Counseling Association.

If you would like Aleksandra to join you in this journey, please reach out to schedule your first session. Let's get to work!

Aleksandra is bilingual and provides therapy services in both English and Polish.

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Our Residents and Interns

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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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 Resident

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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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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Office Staff

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Chivon LeSassier

Office Manager

In Loving Memory

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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

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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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