The Life Enrichment Counseling Center in Alexandria, VA is conveniently located near Old Town Alexandria.

This office serves individuals and families in Alexandria as well as residents in the cities of Falls Church, Springfield, Annandale and Washington, DC., and nearby counties including Arlington and Fairfax.

The Alexandria Office is located at:
3307 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (571) 699-0160
Fax: (703) 754-0646

Directions: click here

At Life Enrichment Counseling Center, we are committed to supporting clients with their mental health needs. We understand that life can be challenging at times. Traumatic events can turn our lives upside down. Oftentimes, divorce, death of a loved one, unexpected job loss, and other life transitions can be difficult to maneuver though alone. We know that it’s important to provide supportive and compassionate services to help you in your time of need. We want to partner with you on your path to healing. We believe that people are resilient and have the desire and ability to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Our Alexandria office provides counseling to children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. Services include counseling in areas such as depression, anxiety, marital conflict, conduct disorders, grief and loss, and substance abuse. Our skilled and knowledgeable therapists can provide you with techniques and other supportive services to help in your healing journey. There are various treatment approaches utilized such as cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, solutions focused therapy, and family systems techniques. Treatment approaches are based on the needs of our clients. We strive to do our best to help you and/or your family member find the best solutions for your situation.

The following services are offered in the Alexandria Office:

Individual Psychotherapy:

Individual psychotherapy involves regular scheduled meetings with a therapist for one-on-one counseling to address current or past problems, experiences, and/or feelings. The purpose of the sessions is to reduce struggles which may occur in the form of problematic behaviors, feelings, and beliefs. Counseling sessions are 45 to 60 minutes in length and is provided by a licensed therapist.

Family Counseling / Psychotherapy:

Family therapy may help to promote better relationships and understanding within a family. Family counseling often occurs with all members of the family unit present although this may not always be the case.

Art Therapy:

We offer a range of services designed specifically for individuals to heal from traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping strategies through art.

Christian Counseling:

We believe that faith and spirituality can be powerful tools for healing and growth. Our counselors integrate Christian principles and values into their counseling approach, providing guidance and support to help individuals and families grow in their faith and achieve their goals.

Adolescent Counseling:

Adolescents generally find it difficult to eloquently verbalize their feelings. They are often overwhelmed and even confused by the number of complex feelings that come as they move toward adulthood. However, for teens, most conflicts involve differences between family members or issues over expectations of parents, in addition to peer and school pressures.

Child Therapy and Counseling:

Sometimes children encounter difficulties that parents and caregivers find difficult to help them navigate. Oftentimes externalizing behaviors such as tantrums, defiance, and inattention can extend past the scope of normal developmental behavior and signal a more significant underlying issue.

It is important to note that the aforementioned behaviors are considered part of the normal developmental process; however, at times they can be so disruptive that they interfere with a child’s ability to socialize appropriately with peers, succeed in school, problem-solve, and maintain safety within the home.

Some of the problems elementary and middle school children encounter include academic failure, bullying, difficulty making friends, struggles with attention and follow-through on tasks, difficulty expressing emotions appropriately, and family issues including but not limited to grief, divorce, abuse, moving, and being a part of a military family.

Group Psychotherapy/Counseling:

Psychotherapy groups are usually organized around a particular issue and average 6 to 8 participants in a group. Examples would be health and wellness, couples support, or women’s support group. In a group setting, participants are able to provide support and feedback to one another in a safe environment. It provides the opportunity to have confidential discussion of personal issues with feedback from a therapist and other group members. It’s also effective for clients who are working on their relationship skills and helps clients relate to others who share similar life experiences. .

Substance Abuse Evaluation and Counseling:

Life Enrichment Counseling Center, Inc., provides substance abuse assessments and evaluations for drug and alcoholic addictions. Services may include evaluation, educational information, and psychotherapy sessions. Services may be requested by the schools, families, attorneys or the court system. Evaluations may be brief or comprehensive as needed. Our Certified Substance Counselors will be able to monitor compliance with treatment goals or court orders.

Online Therapy:

Our online therapy sessions provide adult and adolescent individuals with one-on-one counseling sessions that are tailored to their unique needs in the comfort on their own home.

Other Issues Addressed:

Life Enrichment Counseling Center has experienced clinical staff members who are skilled in psychotherapy.
Below is a partial list of issues addressed:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Marital Conflicts
• Parent-Child Conflicts
• Adolescent Issues
• Women’s Issues
• Infertility
• Stress Management
• Grief Counseling
• Spiritual Counseling

Counselors & Therapists at The Alexandria, VA Life Enrichment Counseling and Therapy Center

Mark A. Boothe, LICSW, LCSW (Alexandria Office, Online Therapy)

Mr. Boothe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia. He earned his Master of Social Work degree from Howard University in 1997.

Mr. Boothe has directed, managed and provided clinical services in a variety of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, and community based mental health agencies. He has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults with a wide range of mental health issues and problems, and assisting such individuals to produce positive emotional results and outcomes in their daily life. His area of expertise include successfully assisting individuals to overcome problems associated with depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders and anger problems.

Mr. Boothe utilizes a person-centered approached in his work with individuals, and incorporates many of the principles and core concepts associated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in the treatment process.

At the Life Enrichment Counseling Center, Mr. Boothe specializes in working with adolescents, adults and families.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Boothe directly: …

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Brandie Chaney, MSW, LCSW, Resident Counselor (Alexandria Office, Online Therapy)

Brandie Chaney obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Connecticut School of Social Work (2015) and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut (2009). Ms. Chaney has over 13 years of experience in the field of human services in a variety of settings. Ms. Chaney has provided clinical services in residential treatment settings, private practice and in child welfare. Her most recent experience includes psychotherapy for individuals, families, and couples. Ms. Chaney has supported youth, and caregivers through adoption, family preservation efforts, domestic violence, homelessness, and child abuse/neglect.

Ms. Chaney has a passion for working with adolescents and their families to help resolve parent-child conflict, depression, serious mental illness, and substance use. At Life Enrichment Center, Ms. Chaney provides therapy to adults, families, and adolescents. Ms. Chaney utilizes a range of treatment modalities including solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma focused therapy, relational cultural theory, mindfulness, and family systems.

Ms. Chaney believes in the power of vulnerability and the importance of relationships. Ms. Chaney’s goal is to always promote change by building a therapeutic bond based on warmth and trust. She fosters close connections with her clients that demonstrate the role empathy plays in the change process.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Chaney directly: …

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Dr. Bhavani R. Hamann, Ph.D., MPSW, MMPSW, Social Work Supervisee (Alexandria Office, Online Therapy)

Dr. Bhavani R. Hamann is a Mental Health Provider and a Social Work Supervisee. Dr. Hamann is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. She provides therapy to adults, adolescents, and families at Life Enrichment Counseling Center. Dr. Hamann has a Ph.D. in Social Work from Florida State University, a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Social Work from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, and a Master’s degree in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work and Undergraduate in Business from Bangalore University, India.

Dr. Hamann has worked in medical, psychiatric, government, and private agencies, serving individuals, groups, families, adolescents, and children. She has experience offering therapy to families with members who have substance abuse difficulties, end-stage medical conditions, and mental health disorders. Dr. Hamann has experience working with clients from different cultures, LGBTQ, and people from various income levels. She is conversant in Tamil, Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada. At Life Enrichment Counseling Center, Dr. Hamann provides client-centered services to adults, adolescents, and families. She draws from theories including Systems, Psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioral.

Please feel free to contact Dr. Bhavani R. Hamann directly: …

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Diane M. Reese, PhD., MA, Resident in Counseling (VA), LGPC (DC), NCC, NCSC, ACS (Alexandria, Online Therapy)

Dr. Diane Reese is a Resident in Counseling in the Commonwealth of Virginia and holds a license as a graduate professional counselor (LGPC) in the District of Columbia and certifications as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Dr. Reese is an Associate Professor of Counseling at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Dr. Reese is also a member of the Initiative on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma Research Team at Trinity Washington University.

Dr. Reese has over 20+ years of experience working with children and adolescents in juvenile justice and school environments, as well as working with adults mandated for group counseling to address domestic abuse issues. Her counseling work has focused on issues regarding self-esteem/self-concept in teen girls; trauma and adverse childhood experiences; inequities in special education for students of color; and social justice and advocacy in school counseling.
Dr. Reese holds a Ph.D. in Counseling, an Endorsement in Administration & Supervision, and an MA in School Counseling from The George Washington University; MA in Management from Webster University; and BS in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University.

Dr. Reese engages in a range of treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed expressive art modalities, strengths-based therapy; person-centered approaches, solution-focused strategies, and choice/reality therapy. Dr. Reese is able to incorporate Christian principles in the counseling session upon request.

Please feel free to contact Dr. Reese directly: …

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Brian Sheaffer, MSW, Social Work Supervisee (Alexandria Office; Online Therapy)

Brian Sheaffer earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from George Mason University. In addition to the use of Strength-Based, Solution-Focused, and Person-Centered methods, he uses unconditional positive regard to build rapport and trust with clients to foster better self-discovery and promote quicker healing. He considers how surrounding client systems, social adversities, and stigma may affect clients’ lives and their therapeutic approaches.

Mr. Sheaffer incorporates both mind and body therapies into treatment. He focuses on solutions to barriers in client systems as well as the symptomatology of anxiety, and depression along with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the subsequent tolls these have on both the body and mind. Through his work with clients, the goal is to help clients reduce the intensity of their responses. This is to encourage clients to lead more embodied and connected lives. Mr. Sheaffer is currently pursuing certifications as a registered play therapist (RPT) and as a level I breath worker. He utilizes Child-Centered/Humanistic approaches to play therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Relaxation/Mindfulness Technique Modalities.

At the Life Enrichment Counseling Center, Mr. Sheaffer specializes in working with kids, teenagers, and young adults who are experiencing a variety of social and emotional difficulties, such as Childhood Abuse (ACEs) and PTSD, Anxiety, and Stress, Depression, Adjustment disorders, and transitions in their education, careers, and personal lives. Mr. Sheaffer is happy to serve children and adolescents, age 5 and up, and young adults, age 18 to 25.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Sheaffer directly: …

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Nelva Hernandez, MSW, LCSW (Alexandria Office, Online Therapy)

Ms. Nelva Hernandez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) currently living and providing services in Northern Virginia. She was raised in Washington, DC, where she completed her studies, including her Master’s in Social Work at Howard University.

Ms. Hernandez is a native Spanish speaker, and she conducts therapy sessions fluently in both English and Spanish. She strives to provide culturally responsive treatment to individuals from all walks of life and has supported many clients struggling with acculturation stress. Ms. Hernandez specializes in treatments for anxiety, depression, anger and stress management, relationship stressors, and life transitions. She employs an eclectic array of evidence-based treatment modalities and interventions to treat symptoms across the spectrum of mental health issues and life stressors. Ms. Hernandez seeks to focus on her client’s needs and preferences while nurturing the therapeutic relationship and providing clinical services, including motivational interviewing, humanistic and existential approaches, and psychodynamic, cognitive, and dialectical behavioral therapies. She uses a collaborative approach to identify her client’s strengths and challenges to create a roadmap to living a healthier and more authentic life.

Throughout her career, Ms. Hernandez has facilitated psychoeducation and group psychotherapy as well as individual, family, and family therapy. Treating issues related to mood and psychiatric disorders. She has acquired experience working with populations of all ages in academic, social service, and outpatient settings. At Life Enrichment Counseling Center, Ms. Hernandez works with adolescents (13 years and above), adults, and families.

Please feel free to contact Nelva Hernandez directly: …

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