TTFY & TAV II
Meet the staff
La-Toya Jenkins, CRC, LPC
(Virginia, Georgia, & North Carolina)
Hi. Hello. Greetings.
My name is La-Toya Jenkins, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Virginia and Georgia, and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. Additionally, I am a Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. I work as the senior clinician for Take Time for You, LLC & Takes a Village II and these are the two mottos that I live by. It is important to “take time for yourself,” because we need time to recharge, so that we can continue to persevere. However, there comes a time in everyone’s life where the support of the village is needed. That’s why I believe “it takes a village” working together as a team. Whether it is a clinician and client duo, or a team of medical professionals, we can achieve reasonable and practical goals.
I received a master’s degree, with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling, from Virginia Commonwealth University. I have 2 years of pre-graduate and 7 years of post-graduate experience. This experience includes working with children and their families, individuals, groups, couples, military and their families, college students, and people of the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, I have worked in multiple therapeutic settings such as schools, group homes, outpatient clinics, therapeutic day treatment centers, intensive in-home centers, mental health skill building centers, and a plethora of other facilities, with a vast range of clientele.
I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), along with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), to name a few. I use various techniques and theories with each client, to help them maintain a healthy mental state. I recognize that every individual has a different struggle and may require the utilization of a combination of theories and/or techniques. Therefore, my approach is person centered. I endeavor to assist my clients to set and reach realistic goals that lead them to achieve self-actualization.
Let’s begin working together to build a healthier and stronger you. Take Time for You and Contact us today to schedule your appointment. Remember, working together, we can achieve reasonable and practical goals because it Takes a Village II.
Dwyana Smithen-Lewis, LPC
(Virginia)
Dwyana comes from a military background where she served in the United States Navy for 10 years before being Honorably Discharged. Dwyana enjoys working with both military background and civilian clients. Dwyana believes that Life, like therapy is about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and embracing growth and learning those things that develop into new behaviors and patterns that ultimately makes an individual the best version of themselves.
She completed her bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Columbia College and her Master of Art in Human Services with a Cognate in Life Coaching. After 2 years or working with different populations and realizing where her passion was, Dwyana decided to return to school and complete a Clinical accredited by CACREP Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She is licensed in the state of VA and is experienced working in the following areas:
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Couples
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Teen Issues such as Peer Pressure, Self-Esteem, etc
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Anxiety Disorder
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Depressive Disorder
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Anger and Stress Management
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Military Adjustment and Struggles
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Substance Use Disorders
Dwyana is passionate about taking an integrative holistic approach using Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused brief therapy. Person-centered, Psycho-Education and Motivational Interviewing (MI) ensuring that each client receives personalized, collaborate approach unique. Because everyone is wonderfully and uniquely different, Dwyana’s focus is on the client’s overall need and goal towards mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health and looks forward to walking each unique journey with all her clients.
Chasidy Hale,
Resident in Counseling
(Virginia)
Hello,
My name is Chasidy Hale, I am approved by the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Resident in Counseling. I have worked in community mental health for the past 13 years. I have experience in Mental Health Skilled Building, Intensive In Home, Crisis Stabilization, and Mobile Crisis services. I earned my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. I specialize in providing counseling to adults and children.
My goal in therapy is to provide a safe and comfortable environment that allows the client to share their personal thoughts and focus on the best treatment. I will explore the best treatment options for the client such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior, motivational interviewing, or person-centered therapy.
Greetings to all,
My name is Melanie Miller, and I am currently a Resident in Counseling, certified by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Prior to being certified as a Resident in Counseling, I worked in community mental health as a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Over the past five years, I have worked in intensive in-home services, mental health skill building and crisis services. In May of 2022, I received my master’s in Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Central University and have also obtained a bachelor’s in Psychology from South University.
I am most passionate about assisting others in their journey to self-discovery. I value the comfortability and vulnerability of all my clients and want to ensure my clients know that. I believe in taking a collaborative approach in therapy and view therapy as a team effort. I am here for your support. I look forward to working with you!
Fatima Tariq,
Resident in Counseling
(Virginia)
Melanie Miller,
Resident in Counseling
(Virginia)
Fatima Tariq is a resident in counseling who earned a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Mental Health Counseling in 2022 from Virginia Commonwealth University. Fatima has 6 years of experience working with people who have experienced trauma in childhood and adulthood, survivors of sexual and domestic violence, people struggling with substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Fatima is an LGBT+ affirmative provider and has extensive experience working with diverse and marginalized populations in individual and group therapy settings. She utilizes a holistic, person-centered, multiculturally informed, and trauma informed approach with clients. Fatima pulls techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Internal Family Systems to help clients build a variety of coping skills and understand themselves better. She values getting to know individuals as a whole and working with people to improve their well-being and meet their goals.
Latiesha Cameron, HR Manager
Brandi Altman, Administrative Assistant
Ta-Tiyana Smith, Office Manager
