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About our CliniciansCarmen Wolf, LMFT, Owner
In 2015 I opened Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy with a goal of helping the Virginia Beach community. This goal continues to grow and I have now added a clinician to help this continue to expand. Education and Experience I received my Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Rutgers University in 2008. In 2012, I earned my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. For the last five years my professional experience includes working with adolescents, families, individuals, couples, and foster youth in a variety of settings. Also, I have extensive experience with dual diagnosis adults that include a variety of diagnostic criteria including Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Substance Abuse. This has included an assortment of clients including self-referrals and mandated individuals. As an added note I was a military spouse for 10 years. I understand how difficult the military lifestyle is and I have also worked with teens and children who needed various support pertaining to deployments, moves, etc. Finally, I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state of Virginia, license #0717001347. |
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Maureen Kelleher, ATR, LPC
Education and Experience I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Connecticut College in 2003. In 2012, I earned my Master of Science degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School. While at EVMS, I had the opportunity to examine in greater depth art-based assessment of attachment as related to treating eating disorders. Following this, I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training and have had the opportunity to develop and lead specialized trauma-informed yoga classes for children. I am a life-long military child as well as a military spouse and have served local military families. As such, I possess an understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of military life. For the past five years, I have served the Hampton Roads community, primarily working with adolescents and young children and their families in a variety of settings including the home, school, medical, and psychiatric settings. My expertise encompasses trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, body-image, grief/loss, behavioral strategies, and stress-management. My approach is holistic and client-centered. I am passionate about empowering the client--through the creative process as well as through traditional counseling techniques--to access their inner source of wisdom and healing to promote wellness and growth and the union of mind, body, and spirit. Art Therapy Art therapy combines the creative process with traditional counseling techniques ("talk therapy") to support healing, self-awareness, and spiritual and psychological growth. In an art therapy session, an art therapist--a master's level or higher trained clinician-- works collaboratively with a client or group of clients to reach a wide scope of therapeutic goals. Art therapy is process-focused; clients need not fear about "not being good at art." No artistic experience is necessary to benefit. Art therapy is appropriate for all ages and is used in a growing number of settings. -Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor #0701006720 |
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Rachel Policay, Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy Education and Experience I received my Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Virginia in 2014. In 2017, I earned my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. While at Virginia Tech, I had the opportunity to work with couples and families in their clinic, as well as conduct research. I was a part of Virginia Tech and Michigan State University’s $1.5 million grant-funded research regarding resiliency in military families. I had the honor of interpreting participants’ interviews and analyzing universal themes that highlighted the difficulties of veteran reintegration into civilian life. I was a part of another grant-funded project called the TOGETHER program which was focused on promoting healthy family relationships and employment and financial stability in our communities. In addition, I conducted my own qualitative study regarding working with therapy dogs in couple and family therapy. Currently, this qualitative study is in the process of being submitted to a scholarly journal. I hope to utilize this study’s findings and incorporate my own therapy dog into working with couples and families, particularly with individuals diagnosed with PTSD. I honor the healing nature of the human-animal bond. For the past two years, my professional experience has included working with individuals, couples, families, and adolescents in the Northern Virginia area. I have worked in two different settings: a teaching clinic that offered live supervision and a non-profit organization. My experience includes using Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method with both couples and families. Also, I have recently completed the first step in EFT training, that leads to certification. In addition, my theoretical framework tends to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and is overall, a strengths-based approach. My approach is client-centered and I am focused on creating and maintaining the therapeutic alliance with each client, especially when working with couples and families. I believe that each client comes to me with their own strengths and that the therapeutic frame is utilized for unearthing those existing client strengths. -Resident in Marriage and Family Therapist, Supervised by Janet Wilson, LPC #0701002990. |
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Nicole Sirko, LPC, NCC
Education and Experience My educational background includes a BA in Psychology from Duquesne University where I graduated cum laude, and a M.S.Ed in Counseling from Old Dominion University where I graduated with high honors. I have participated in several specialized trainings in the areas of attachment, mindfulness, trauma, self-regulation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, anxiety, and mood disorders. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. I have over 14 years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings such as outpatient, residential treatment, and community-based services. I specialize in working with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, and trauma. My additional areas of expertise include parent-child relational problems, anger management, emotional regulation, ADHD, behavioral issues, self-esteem, relaxation training, stress management and grief/loss. I use a person-centered and strengths-based approach to create a safe space in which people are able to gain insight into their life circumstances. I also draw on a variety of evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy to help clients expand their personal skills set and navigate their way through difficult times. I believe that it takes more courage to seek help than it does to avoid our challenges. We often find our motivation after taking the first step. I strongly value the importance of emotional health and I work collaboratively with each person to assist them along their healing journey. -Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor # 0701004345 |
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Samantha Newton, LCSW Education and Experience I received my Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a double minor in sociology and English from the University of Miami in 2009. I went to graduate school the following year to earn my Masters in Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2012. Since then, I have worked in a community mental health setting for 2 years, where I provided individual, family, and group therapy to children, teens, and adults with a vast array of diagnoses. I also spent 4 years providing therapy to active duty service members, their families, and retirees across all branches in an on-base medical clinic. I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, and stress management. My goal is to create a space where clients can build on their strengths, grow from challenges, and feel empowered. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, and person centered therapy to help clients reach their goals. I believe that clients and therapists should work together to create an individualized treatment plan to fit clients’ needs and help them attain their desired outcomes. Seeking therapy can be a difficult step, but it is one that can help individuals enrich their lives, further their identity development, and acquire skills to help them manage life challenges. -Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker #0904010900 |
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Monika Isip, LPC, ATR
Education & Experience I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist and began providing clinical services to a wide range of individuals in 2005. A large concentration of my work has focused on children, adolescents, and families seeking support as they navigate trauma, co-occurring mental health diagnoses, short and long-term stress, mental health crisis, caregiver-child attachment dynamics, and family interaction challenges. I earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Virginia Wesleyan College in 2004, followed by a Masters Degree in Art Therapy from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2006. In my most recent role as a state director for a community-based mental health agency, I enjoyed the opportunity to work with individuals from a variety of cultures and backgrounds from across the state of Virginia. I’ve worked with a variety of specialized needs, including palliative care, family violence, and Autism and developmental differences. In my clinical work, I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I consider it a privilege to build relationships with clients, hear their stories, and share in their journeys. My approach is, first and foremost, collaborative and focused on identifying and building strengths. Also, I appreciate the role of chronic stress and trauma on our mental, emotional, and physical states, and partner with clients to develop a well-rounded approach to wellness. I invite clients to explore the connection between the brain/nervous system and our patterns of behavior, emotional responses, and overall wellbeing, as with this understanding comes powerful opportunity for growth and change. In sessions, I invite clients to use a variety of avenues for self-expression and healing, including verbal discussion, art making, writing, and mindfulness/ relaxation exercises. -Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor # 0701004604 |
Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy
1120 Laskin Rd Suite 104
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
1-757-650-5346
1120 Laskin Rd Suite 104
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
1-757-650-5346
