Cassandra Kennell, Psy.D., LCP
Cassandra Kennell, Psy.D., was born in Sarasota, Florida and received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida. She moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2004 to earn Eastern Mennonite University’s Master of Arts degree in Counseling. Dr. Kennell worked as a child and adolescent substance abuse therapist before pursuing her doctorate in psychology. She completed her internship at Philhaven Hospital in Mt. Gretna, PA. Her training experiences included placements at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and DeWitt Army Community Hospital.
Dr. Kennell specializes in working with college-age women who have depression or anxiety. She also utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy and works with clients to address recurring patterns of negative interaction as well as the underlying thoughts and emotions that drive these patterns.
Location: Cassandra Kennell is at the Harrisonburg office
Barbara Jerichen, MS, LPC
I am a licensed professional counselor who was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley and am a wife of a truck driver and mother to a middle school son. I have a Master’s of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University and Bachelor’s and Master’s from James Madison University in teaching. I have served children in the educational setting in the U.S. and abroad for over 20 years, through teaching, coaching, and counseling.
Using active and reflective listening, I assist individuals to change their thought patterns, re-frame their choices, and create accountability to empower new life choices and direction. I enjoy working with people of all ages using strategies of affirmation, behavioral management, solution focused, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapies. I especially enjoy helping children and helping their parents to better understand and meet the developmental, emotional, and social needs of their children. I strive to assist individuals in building resiliency to work through life’s challenges, to remain grounded and persevere in various circumstances through hope and joy.
Location: Barbara Jerichen is at the Harrisonburg office
Tamala K. Gilardi, MSW, LCSW
Welcome! I am Tamala Gilardi and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a board-certified supervisor in Virginia. I have had the honor of working in a variety of settings providing quality comprehensive mental health services in the Harrisonburg & surrounding areas.
I specialize in working with Adults, Children, Adolescents and Families. My goal is to provide a therapy experience that is predicated upon compassion, enthusiasm and creativity. I understand that change can be uncomfortable and my treatment philosophy is to provide a supportive and safe therapeutic environment.
It has been my privilege and passion to practice in the Shenandoah Valley for the past 30+ years assisting individuals with needs involving Mood Disorders, Anxiety, Trauma, Anger Management, Self Esteem, Transitional Issues, Serious Mental Illness, Childhood & Developmental Issues, Parenting, Family Systems.
I promote therapeutic approaches that are tailored to the need, to include: Cognitive Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Attachment-based Therapy, Family Structural Therapy, Experiential Therapy, Reality Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Eclectic Therapy, Group Therapy.
Location: Tamala K. Gilardi is at the Harrisonburg office
Alyson Garnet, MA, LPC
Hello! I moved to Harrisonburg, VA, to receive my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at James Madison University. I fell in love with the scenery and decided to make this my home. I then received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. My experience is working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and low self-esteem.
I believe that the therapeutic environment should be free of judgment and a place for individuals to feel safe. I work from the therapeutic techniques of person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, existential therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy I believe that clients are the experts in their lives, and I look forward to helping clients achieve well-being through unconditional positive regard, support, and empowerment.
Location: Alyson Garnet is at the Harrisonburg office
Kristen Fulton-Wright, MSW, LCSW, EMDR Trained
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I work from a strengths perspective and believe strongly that everyone has the ability to overcome adversity, build resiliency, and achieve their goals. I work collaboratively with my clients to determine their own pathway forward using tools from a variety of therapeutic modalities including EMDR, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
During my practicum at Virginia Commonwealth University, I worked with groups focused on recovery from substance abuse as well as crisis intervention. Since then I have been providing individual therapy for people navigating grief, depression, anxiety, serious mental illness, and trauma. I also work with children (and their parents) who are overcoming the impacts of physical or sexual abuse and am working towards cerification as a TF-CBT practitioner.
As clients gain insight and build on their strengths, I am inspired to learn more and improve my own skills as a practitioner and am always grateful to be included on their journey through life.
Location: Kristen Fulton-Wright is at the Harrisonburg office
Zach Pennington, Clinical Director, MA-CMHC, LPC
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I hold dual Masters’ Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My approach to therapy is person-centered, eclectic, and intuitive. I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of clients across the lifespan for the last nine years, making my practice affirmative, culturally sensitive, and trauma informed. I have built a reputation in the community for my ability to make meaningful and transformative connections, while fostering and encouraging a safe and welcoming environment.
I utilize evidence-based treatment (CBT, IFS, DBT, Gottman Method) and mindfulness practices (MBCT) to help my clients navigate some of life’s toughest questions, challenges, and transitions. I have specialized training in Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, The Gottman Method (Couples Counseling) and Emotional Freedom Techniques. Additionally, I have completed Affirmative Care Practices Training with the American Counseling Association and the Human Rights Campaign.
I understand that the process of finding a therapist can sometimes seem overwhelming. When considering options, it can become difficult to know who will be the right choice for you and your family. I want those who choose me as their therapist to feel confident knowing that they have made the right decision.
Location: Zach Pennington is at the Roanoke office
Karen Herrell, MA, LPC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who grew up in Clarke County, Virginia and currently live in beautiful Rockingham County.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from James Madison University and fell in love with the area. Then I pursued my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University.
After receiving my Bachelor’s degree, I worked as a Family Services Specialist at Social Services for roughly ten years while obtaining my Master’s degree. Working with at-risk youth and their birth and foster families I found my passion for attachment counseling. I saw the benefits of the work first hand. After receiving my Master’s Degree and while working as a Resident in Counseling, I worked for a local therapeutic foster care agency. There I continued to assist and counsel children with attachment, behavioral, identity and emotional issues. I worked closely with their birth and foster families, as needed.
I work from an attachment-based and trauma informed approach to counseling. I want to provide a safe space that is accepting and neutral to clients so they can feel that they are able to express their true selves. With trust and understanding of one’s experience, I want my clients to feel safe to explore their sense of self and work towards finding peace within.
I have been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Family Systems, Mindfulness Therapy, Play/Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, and Strength-based Therapy.
Location: Karen Herrell is at the Harrisonburg office
Trevor Haase, MA/EdS, LPC
I was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA and moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2009. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Eastern Mennonite University and obtained my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from James Madison University. For nearly nine years I worked in a residential Crisis Stabilization Unit utilizing DBT as a primary modality to help people incorporate strong coping skills to help improve their distress tolerance and improve their emotional regulation.
I believe that everyone walking into therapy has a unique story and requires an individualized approach. Through empathy and unconditional positive regard clients are better able to understand their perspectives, beliefs, and narrative and identify ways to address their obstacles. I look to integrate different coping skills and strategies as necessary to help with emotional regulation and foster confidence in managing negative thought processes and emotions.
Location: Trevor Haase is at the Harrisonburg office
Margaret Hassett, MA, LPC
Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, I received my BA in Psychology from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and my Master of Arts in Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University. I have lived in various states but have always found myself drawn back to the steady presence of the Blue Ridge. I earned my license working with college age, children and families, and individuals impacted by sexual violence.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I enjoy working with individuals across the lifespan and strive to collaborate with them toward healing. I believe that through safety and acceptance, we can allow for growth and insight. I am trained in EMDR and various attachment-based and trauma informed modalities, including the use of sand tray, expressive arts and mindfulness practices.
Location: Margaret Hassett is at the Harrisonburg office
Traketa Dillard, MMHC, LPC
Are you looking to become the best healthiest version of yourself? I’m here to help you find yourself on this journey through encouragement, education, and guidance so you are able to become a healthier version of yourself.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Ferrum College and my Master’s degree from Capella University in Mental Health Counseling in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have worked in the mental health field for over 10 years with working in community mental health with adults with co-occurring disorders, substance use, and mental health; adolescent with substance use, emotional, behavior, and trauma related diagnosis and children beginning at age 7 with trauma, emotional, and behavioral diagnosis. I provide support, encouragement, honesty, and compassion along with increasing your self-esteem and self- awareness to promote growth and change within to become a healthier version of oneself. I provide counseling for a variety of needs including depression, anxiety, substance use, Bipolar, trauma, PTSD, anger issues, ADHD, ODD, and adjustment issues. I provide a variety of therapeutic interventions and techniques and have used primarily CBT, SFBT, and trauma informed modalities to include CPT and TF- CBT to meet your needs in order to empower you to maintain a healthier life that is achievable and maintainable.
Location: Traketa Dillard is at the Roanoke office
Katie Lewis, MS, LPC
My name is Katie Lewis, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 6 years of clinical experience working with groups and individuals with Anger Management, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and PTSD. I’ve found that using a person-centered approach through the application of an array of evidence-based practices is ideal for helping my clients reach their goals.
Some of the methods I use include Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychoeducation, Psychodynamic Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and more. I believe it’s essential for you to better understand your symptoms, motivations, and triggers to establish a more comfortable level of functioning.
Rapport building is my initial goal when meeting a new client. It’s so beneficial to be able to establish some comfort so that you can get started in your journey toward wellness. I believe this should involve mutual respect, dignity, and trust as we take that journey together.
Location: Katie Lewis is at the Roanoke office