Coastal Counseling Center of Virginia

Coastal Counseling Center of Virginia provides compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for children, teens and adults. Our licensed therapists offer individual therapy and work with concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, school and behavioral challenges, relationship challenges, grief, addiction and sleep difficulties. <br><br>We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive space where you feel heard and supported, and we match you with a provider well-suited to your unique needs. With a range of evidence-based approaches and a focus on your personal strengths, we’re here to help you move toward greater balance and emotional well-being.

Therapy and medication management for adults, teens and children.

Our team of mental health professionals is here to help you and your loved ones manage emotional, mental and behavioral health challenges.<br><br>We tailor care to fit your unique needs – and help make sure you feel safe, accepted and supported along the way.

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Helps individuals explore personal challenges and life transitions, process emotions, set goals, and build coping skills and resilience.

Individual therapy

Uses structured exercises and strategies to help individuals better understand and manage unhelpful thoughts and emotions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Help individuals process painful experiences, reduce the impact of trauma, and feel safer and more in control.

Trauma-focused therapies

Helps individuals achieve personal growth and positive change by exploring how past experiences influence the way they think, feel and relate to others.

Psychodynamic therapy

Helps individuals acknowledge and accept difficult emotions while taking meaningful steps to support well-being and quality of life.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Helps children express and process emotions and experiences through play and creativity to support emotional growth and well-being.

Play therapy

Helps individuals gradually face and manage anxiety through a step-by-step, confidence-building process.

Exposure therapy

Help individuals explore their self-identity, process emotions and nurture well-being through art, music and movement.

Expressive therapies

Provide diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions that benefit from or require medical intervention and medication management.

Psychiatric care and medication management

Provides a supportive setting for individuals facing similar challenges to share experiences, participate in guided discussions and activities, develop coping skills, and nurture healing and personal growth.

Group therapy

Antoinette Sinues is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a focus on supporting children, adolescents, and their families through various emotional and psychological challenges. With expertise in addressing issues related to emotional regulation, relationship dynamics, and life transitions, Antoinette offers a compassionate approach to therapy. Her experience encompasses assisting those dealing with behavioral problems, interpersonal conflicts, and mental health conditions such as ADHD, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

In addition to her work with younger clients, Antoinette extends her services to young adults navigating significant life events. These include moving, career changes, or coping with milestones like marriage or bereavement. Her therapeutic skills include play therapy, expressive arts, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, along with trauma-informed and strength-based strategies. These methods aim to alleviate emotional suffering and bolster resilience.

Antoinette’s commitment to her clients is evident in her willingness to provide individual and family counseling sessions, tailored to address specific concerns and promote symptom relief. Please consider scheduling an appointment to discuss your specific concerns and how we can partner together to bring about positive change.

My clients describe me as an empathetic and genuine Resident-in-Counseling who brings authenticity, warmth, and humor to our sessions. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for growth and healing.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, client-centered, and strengths-based. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly. Together, we will utilize evidence-based practices to help you gain insight, develop coping skills, and foster resilience. Our work will focus on achieving your goals and empowering you to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I specialize in supporting individuals navigating challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, LGBTQ+ identity, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. Honestly, I enjoy working with anyone who is simply having the human experience.

I entered this field because I want to dedicate myself to a profession where I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I look forward to joining you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery.

Brittney Twisdale earned her Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005, specializing in Clinical Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a certification in Advanced Hospice and Palliative Care Social Work (APHSW-C). She has over 18 years of experience working in medical social work providing support to perinatal, pediatric, and adult patients in hospital, home health, and hospice settings.

Brittney works with children, adolescent and adult clients coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, life stressors and transitions, with specific expertise in medical complexity, chronic or terminal illness, grief and loss, high risk pregnancy, and perinatal loss.

She utilizes humanistic therapy and believes that the client is the expert in their own life and experiences. She believes the therapist’s role is to provide a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment for clients to share feelings without judgement. Her approach is person-centered and strength-based with elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and effective problem-solving. In working with children, she also utilizes creative modalities such as play and art-based activities to help build rapport and facilitate communication. Brittney is dedicated to creating a therapeutic space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered on their healing journey.

Demetrous Johnston is a Nurse Practitioner and board-certified Medical-Surgical Nurse. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Sentara College of Health Sciences in Chesapeake, Virginia and then later went on to become faculty after obtaining a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education. As an assistant professor, Demetrous served as a clinical and community instructor of psychiatric nursing. While in academia and working on an inpatient psychiatric unit, Demetrous attended the University of Virginia and completed his certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Demetrous has work history in both acute medical surgical and psychiatric settings. His psychiatric outpatient background is in community health and individualized psychotherapy.

Emily is an art therapist and counselor with experience providing individual, family, and group counseling in a variety of mental healthcare settings. She is a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University, board-certified registered art therapist (ATR-BC), and licensed professional counselor (LPC) who works with clients of all ages. When working with children and adolescents, Emily uses a non-directive approach that allows her clients to exercise autonomy within the boundaries of a safe, caring therapeutic relationship. Common interventions include art making, pretend play, and card or board games, which encourage freedom of expression, interpersonal skill-building, and development of coping skills and frustration tolerance. With adults, Emily offers clients a choice of talk therapy and/or art-making interventions to promote clients’ self-discovery and self-actualization. Her main theoretical approach is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which encourages clients to make peace with the parts of their lives they cannot change while moving forward in ways that express their true values and desires. Emily is also trained in cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and she has experience providing care to individuals impacted by traumatic grief as well as active duty or retired military personnel with a history of sexual assault.

I have provided therapy to both adolescent and adult clients in multiple private practice settings. I have also provided counseling to college students at Radford University and disseminated mental health resources to citizens via the Chesapeake mental health crisis line. While I have mainly counseled clients with anxiety, depression, and social anxiety, I also recognize that a diagnosis may not fully encapsulate a client’s concern. I have assisted clients with mental health concerns related to school/college anxiety, relationship concerns, and self-esteem.

My therapeutic approach includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered theory, and psychoeducation as needed. I create a collaborative therapeutic environment where you feel understood and empowered. You decide what needs to be addressed in the counseling space. I work with you to co-develop a treatment plan that addresses your goals, not just your diagnosis. You and I work together to determine what actions you take outside of session to help you reach your goals. Examples of homework we may discuss include reducing negative thought patterns, engaging in behaviors that are beneficial and/or meaningful to you, and changing your communication and boundaries with people in your life. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you and look forward to seeing you find joy through your progress.

Katrina Faison-Crew is a Licensed Professional Counselor and proud graduate of Liberty University, where she earned her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Norfolk State University. With over 16 years of experience in human services and 8 years in mental health field, Katrina is deeply committed to helping people improve their quality of life through compassionate, empathetic, and professional guidance.

Her clinical experience spans work with children, adolescents, women, and men navigating psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Dedicated to empowering others, Katrina is committed to delivering compassionate, empathetic, and professional care to help clients improve their quality of life and achieve meaningful change.

She draws from a variety of theoretical approaches tailored to each individual’s needs, helping clients progress toward their personal goals. Her goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you feel heard, understood, and supported.

Katrina invites you to take the first step: Let’s begin the journey to healing together.

Monir Feezor, MSW is registered as a Supervisee in Social Work with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Monir has been offering psychotherapy services since 2021, supporting clients  at crisis, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. Using skills gained from her graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and other advanced trainings, she applies cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, somatic therapy, and attachment-based therapy to help her clients make their desired life changes.

Monir’s multifaceted 25 years of human service experience prior to becoming a psychotherapist—working in somatic healthcare, education, and advocacy—informs her holistic, mind-body-environment approach to care. Monir shares that her primary goal as a therapist is to build healthy relationships, beginning in the therapy room: “Each session, I intend to genuinely show up for my clients, listen deeply, and offer a compassionate presence.” The therapeutic relationship is just the start. As she explains, “therapy offers the opportunity for clients to learn more about and even shift their relationships with themselves, their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, as well as with others in the world.” Monir primarily works with adults experiencing difficulties related to stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression; she also offers services to adolescents 15 and up. Monir welcomes individuals of all sociocultural identities and ways of expression, vowing “every person will be respected and valued here.”

Robyn Hilbert, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She began her career as a Registered Nurse, graduating from Sentara Norfolk General School of Professional Nursing in 1993. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. Ms. Hilbert became board certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2022, after earning her Master of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. She has provided psychiatric care to the geriatric, adult and pediatric populations in the outpatient setting as well as adults with either acute psychosis or severe mood disorders in the inpatient setting.

Robyn values being a Chesapeake native and enjoys serving the community. She seeks to destigmatize mental illness recognizing that everybody needs a little help at some point in their life. She believes “life is a journey” and she enjoys journeying with her patients, on their good days as well as their bad days. She not only meets her patients where they are currently on their journey, she also accepts them where they are on their journey. She finds joy in helping her patients celebrate the small things, knowing that the big things sometimes occur less often. She strives to maintain a professional private confidential and safe space that she calls “the no judgement zone.”

In her off time, Robyn enjoys time with her family which includes four fur babies, camping, gardening, and the relaxing near the water. Ms. Hilbert is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Art therapy is for people of all ages who feel like other forms of therapy have not gotten them to their goals, are looking for a non-verbal way to express themselves and want a better quality of life.

Often, words are not enough to describe or make sense of our feelings, memories and experiences. Distressing and traumatic events can leave us feeling fragmented, isolated, on high alert, panicked, stuck in our traumatic memories and feeling hopeless or uncertain about our future. No previous art experience or training is required for art therapy, as the focus is on the creative and unconscious process. I strive to foster an atmosphere of unconditional regard, acceptance, collaboration and understanding.

Art therapy applies art and the creative process to support, maintain, and enhance health and wellness. Like other forms of psychotherapy, art therapy encourages growth and self-awareness. It offers clients a safe approach to access feelings which may be difficult to clearly articulate. Making art can be both therapeutic and empowering.

The path to wellness and growth is a journey. I work with clients from an integrative approach. I am person centered first and foremost, believing the client should feel safe, respected and collaborate on identifying treatment goals. I will integrate motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT, Gestalt, trauma informed care, and more when appropriate.

My experience as an art therapist includes working with clients with trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, addictions, behavioral challenges and those seeking to improve their self-esteem, growth and self-awareness. I welcome clients of all ages, race, gender, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) licensed in Virginia. I graduated from Northern Caribbean University (NCU) with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012, Walden University with my Master of Science in nursing in 2017, and later with my post-master certificate in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in 2023. I have over 11 years of experience in nursing in two countries and over 5 years of experience in education as an Assistant Professor helping BSN nursing students to be prepared for the nursing profession.

I provide evaluation and safe appropriate medication management for ages 6 years and older. I offer treatment for a variety of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, adjustment disorder and more. I offer in-person and virtual visits. I am committed to improving mental health one patient at a time, utilizing a client-centered and holistic approach. I believe in formulating an individualized plan of care that incorporates client involvement, evidenced-based guidelines, and interprofessional collaboration. I will provide a supportive, stigma free and non-judgmental environment to enhance client empowerment, compliance, and education.

Life is hard, and at times it can feel exceptionally overwhelming, especially when balancing work stress, social pressures, and family dynamics. In the process of helping others, we often forget how to simply breathe. We can get so caught up in surviving that we forget how to truly live. When you come in for therapy, I will meet you where you are, and together we will walk the path toward healing and growth.

I enjoy working with teenagers, young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, life or school transitions, and relationship challenges. My approach is evidence-based and trauma-informed, with a strong foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

I am proudly LGBTQ+ allied and provide affirming care to all identities and family structures. I believe you are the expert of your own life; sometimes you just need a guide to help challenge negative thoughts and move toward a more fulfilling, balanced life. I practice under the supervision of a licensed counselor.

Is your child struggling behaviorally in school, at home, or in the community? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or feelings of hopelessness? I will provide a safe place for you to be transparent while we create a plan that is unique to you or your child’s needs. As a Resident in Counseling, I approach therapy with a deep sense of compassion and empathy.

I have many years of experience working with children and adolescents with behavioral issues and their families in various settings within the community, at home, and in schools. I also work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or feelings of hopelessness.

My integrative and collaborative approach includes using interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. I love helping individuals overcome life’s challenges, learn new skills, feel heard, and supported. Current and immediate availability!

Therapy and medication management for adults, teens and children.

What we offer

Individual therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Trauma-focused therapies

Psychodynamic therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Play therapy

Meet the team

Antoinette Sinues

Brandy Bower

Brittney Twisdale

Demetrous Johnston

Emily King

Kalei Leao

Katrina Faison-Crew

Monir Feezor

Robyn Hilbert

Shaylene Perry

Taniece Worsley

Vanessa Brock

Veda King

About us

Contact

Coastal Counseling Center of Virginia