The Counseling Center Group
Presents:
Counseling Center of
Virginia
Meeting location
We are the Counseling Center of Virginia®. We specialize in providing evidence-based therapy to help improve your quality of life and mental health! Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or grief; our team will provide new insights that enable change at all levels.
We Can Help.
If you or a loved one can benefit from Therapy in Arlington, Virginia
we are here to help.
Our Virginia Therapy & Counseling Specialties and Services:
The Counseling Center Group® is a practice dedicated to providing professional counseling therapy services. Our skilled therapists bring many years of experience from a wide variety of specialty areas. It is our philosophy that many clients can benefit from specific tools and then use those tools in their everyday life. Therefore, we do our best to empower you to live your life without the need for prolonged therapy.
The process is shorter than traditional therapy and is very effective in resolving trauma. The therapist guides the client through a series of eye movements that help to release the emotional impact of the trauma. The therapist also helps the client to reframe the event so that it no longer has the same emotional charge.
In DBT-PE, clients initially work with the therapist to establish safety and gain the skills needed to cope with addressing trauma. While continuing in all modes of standard DBT, DBT-PE then addresses memories and beliefs related to the client’s trauma history.
The Gottman Method is a form of couples therapy that was developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman based on over 40 years of research on what makes relationships work. It focuses on emotionally supportive communication and understanding each partner’s needs in order to foster a healthy relationship.
ART draws from several existing therapeutic approaches in order to reprogram how our brain stores upsetting memories or images to reduce the severity of distressing reactions. It combines elements of traditional talk therapy with creative activities to help us process difficult experiences and learn healthier coping skills. ART focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings, behavior, and body sensations.
Our Therapists in Virginia
VICTORIA MWONGELA
To book an appointment with
VICTORIA MWONGELA
Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy
Victoria is a psychotherapist at the Counseling Center Group providing individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy to clients of all ages. Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Maryland and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Virginia.
Victoria has experience working with many common counseling concerns. She has particular interest in treating shame, trauma recovery, relational struggles, spirituality, and identity struggles. Victoria has also worked extensively with victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault. As a Kenyan, who grew up in Dubai, U.A.E., and currently resides in the United States, she developed a unique perspective and cultural competence which has allowed her to grasp the nuances of her client’s experiences and circumstances. Prior to her work at the Counseling Center Group Victoria worked within the DC Public School System where she received training as a Mental Health Specialist. In addition, she provided individual counseling services at her local church.
Victoria’s perspective on counseling is one of understanding and relational empathy. Her therapeutic approach incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), The Gottman Method (TGM), Client-Centered Therapy and Existential Therapy. She believes in establishing a trusting relationship with her clients, in order to make them feel safe and supported as they confront the issues they are struggling with. She views each session as an opportunity to recover insights from the past, to find comfort despite the present circumstances, and chart a hopeful path forward into the future.
Victoria earned her MSc. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University and holds a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary. Both of these have given her a wide range of tools to offer a comprehensive approach to client care. She completed her undergraduate work in Psychology at Middlesex University in Dubai, U.A.E. Victoria has completed training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) by the Linehan Institute Training Company and currently sits on a comprehensive DBT team. Victoria has also completed intensive training in the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD. She is also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and both Level 1 and Level 2 training with the Gottman Institute. She currently co-leads two of our current DBT groups.
Victoria is married to her husband, and together they enjoy good plant-based food, the outdoors, and spending time with their family and friends.
NICOLE FAYARD
SHE/HER/HERS
To book an appointment with
NICOLE FAYARD
Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and board approved supervisor with a post master’s in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Nicole is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), voluntarily meeting national standards for the general practice of counseling. She is fully licensed to work with clients in Washington, DC, Maryland Virginia, and North Carolina.
Nicole has nearly 20 years of experience working with a variety of clients in treatment of mental illnesses in inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization program settings. She has extensive experience working with a wide range of diagnoses including mood disorder, major depression, bipolar, anxiety/panic disorders, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suicidal thoughts and/or recent suicide attempts, as well as skills in crisis intervention. Nicole has completed Dialectical Behavior Therapy Intensive Training (The Linehan Institute) and currently sits on a comprehensive DBT team. She also has training in the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). She incorporates these methods into most of her sessions.
Prior to joining CCM, Nicole directed an adult partial-hospitalization program ensuring evidence-based treatment for her patients, as well as the patients of the multitude of therapists she supervised. She provided clinical treatment services such as clinical assessments, treatment planning, and individual/family/group counseling to patients stepping down from an inpatient stay or those in need of more intense treatment.
Nicole takes an eclectic approach to counseling, however, she follows her basic foundation of meeting the client wherever he/she is emotionally. While working with clients, Nicole weaves in various treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT,) and mindfulness to support clients as they move toward a sense of control in their lives. Nicole’s passion is helping clients incorporate their goals in therapy into their everyday living as they continue their journey toward wholeness. She believes the choice to enter into therapy exhibits bravery and self-compassion.
Nicole received her BS in Psychology from Towson University and her MS in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She is also a member of the American Counseling Association. Nicole has also completed a multitude of continuing education courses to support her skills in CBT, DBT, and working with mood disorders. She currently resides in Montgomery County, MD, where she enjoys being close to family and raising her two children.
ANDREA HAMILTON
To book an appointment with
ANDREA HAMILTON
Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy, Group Therapy
Andrea has a special interest in working with Trauma and PTSD, Career Counseling, Anxiety,
Depression, Self-esteem/Personal Growth, Life Transitions/Adjustment, Relationship Conflict,
Multicultural Issues, Religion and Spirituality, Self-harm, Suicidal Ideation, and Bipolar/Mood
Disorders.
Andrea incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) when working with clients. She has
completed the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Foundational Training through the Linehan Institute
and is a member of CCG’s comprehensive DBT team. Andrea also uses Cognitive
Behavioral (CBT), Client-Centered, Solutions Focused, Trauma-Informed, and Psychodynamic
modalities. She believes faith and spirituality can be avenues of hope and healing and is open
to incorporating those in sessions upon the client’s request.
Andrea is a Resident in Counseling in Virginia and a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor
(LGPC) in Maryland. She believes creating a safe environment while working together with
clients to overcome life challenges is integral to producing hope and healing.
Andrea earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount
University. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a member of the American Counseling
Association (ACA), and a member of Chi Sigma Iota, international counseling academic honor
society.
Prior to working at CCG, Andrea worked at a group practice serving first responders, medical
staff, military personnel/veterans, international humanitarian workers, law enforcement, and
journalists. She also gained experience working with individuals struggling with fertility,
prepartum/postpartum, individuals coping with chronic illness, and couples. She also worked in
an education program implementing a social-emotional learning curriculum to equip refugee
children from the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe to transition into life in Germany. She
also has experience working with college students at a study abroad company and in tech
sales. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys being outside, walking, traveling, and spending time with
her fiancé and friends.
Christopher Wright
Intern
Christopher is a counseling intern at the Counseling Center Group. He is completing his Master of Arts in Christian Marital, Family, and Individual Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary working towards licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) in Virginia. Christopher completed his undergraduate degree at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. Christopher believes in providing a holistic approach to counseling. It is his belief that the problems we face in life are rooted in the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual domains of life. As such he will be looking to help you work through problems using these domains in tangent with one another. Christopher is married to his wife, who together enjoy watching baseball and football as well as spending time with friends and family.
