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YOU DESERVE A SAFE SPACE

Clinical Mental health therapist, specializing in anxiety and trauma.

A webpage-“hub” designed for support and resources, hosted by Jodi Kohut, Resident in Counseling.

You deserve a space to talk about your feelings, past experiences, and current fears and to be heard non-judgmentally. As your partner in navigating whatever challenges you are facing, I will recognize the uniqueness of your personal experiences, and the meaning that these hold for you as an individual. Sometimes this means that you have someone to navigate the dark with, and at other times, it means that we are working together so that you can achieve your optimal level of health and wellness. 

As a humanistic oriented counselor, I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and empathetic listening to begin the healing process. As someone who specializes in trauma and adverse childhood experiences, I also rely heavily on psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches to release the power of the past. I believe that the impact of the past influences how we think, feel and behave in the present, often to our own dismay.  I also believe in the innately human capacity to resolve the impact of the past, and to intentionally create a better future. 

I hold a Master’s Degree MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University, degree completed in 2018. I currently am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who is licensed to practice in Virginia and South Carolina. 

I have specialized training with trauma protocols and treatments, to include EMDR.

Prior to joining the Counseling profession, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Leadership and Communication Studies from Gonzaga University (2012).  I currently serve as an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), and have done so for nine years. I did spend the first half of my career as a business executive and have additional training in executive coaching.  This experience helps me to understand the unique challenges that living and working in the Northern Virginia area presents. 

I currently practice from my Northern Virginia (Burke) tele-health (and COVID free office) with secure, dependable HIPAA compliant software until such time that we can meet in an office without hiding our expressions behind masks. This means that my services are available to all residents of Virginia. Upon the reopening of offices and businesses without masks, I will be practicing in person in the Fairfax/Burke area. 

Please feel free to contact me to schedule a free, no-obligation chemistry and consultation call where I can answer any questions you have about me, the counseling process, and determine if we can develop an alliance that will help you to achieve your goals.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”

Lau Tzu

Taking the first step.

The first step to us working together is a complimentary, initial consultation. The purpose of this 15 minute appointment is for us to get to know each other and to confirm that I have the expertise to help you meet your goals. During this call, I will gather some preliminary information about how I might help and answer any questions you might have about the therapy process including,  but not limited to, costs, potential meeting times, and how we will work together to establish and achieve your goals. I understand that taking this first step can be difficult and will do anything I can to make this less stressful for you.

Is my initial consultation confidential?

Therapy works because it is the obligation of the therapist to keep all information confidential. I take this very seriously, especially given that many of the people in this area are employed by or provide services to the Federal Government. There are certain limits to confidentiality that all therapists are required by law to uphold. 

Danger to self or others – All states allow a therapist to reveal the name of a client who has deemed a real and present danger to self (e.g., suicide) or others. In Virginia, a therapist is required to report these instances in an attempt to protect the person who is in danger.

Abuse of children, elderly, or mentally or physically handicapped – In Virginia, a therapist is required to report credible knowledge of current or past abuse. This applies to situations in which the client is the one who was abused as well as to situations in which the client is the abuser.

Third-party reimbursement – When an if your insurance coverage pays for any of the costs of your therapy, you are giving your consent for information such as your diagnosis and appointment dates to be shared with your insurance company.

Collection of debt – If you fail to settle an account balance for therapy, your name and the amount you owe can be made known to a collection agency.

Defense of malpractice or professional complaint – If you were to allege that your therapist engaged in malpractice or some other unethical act, the therapist has the right to disclose information from your sessions to defend himself or herself.

For more information click on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

How will my initial consultation take place?

If you use the request appointment feature, you will receive an acknowledgment that I have accepted your request and a link to the appointment time you’re requested. The consultation will take place in a HIPAA compliant video portal- simulating a “real appointment”– it is important that you feel comfortable with me or the therapist that you ultimately choose. By conducting our initial call this way, I believe it gives you a better idea of how you and I might interact.

What happens after my initial consultation?

If we decide to proceed together, you can schedule your first appointment during our consultation, or after our consultation. If you wish to proceed with an appointment, I will send you intake paperwork that will need to be completed prior to our first appointment.

Currently practicing as Licensed Resident in Counseling in the State of Virginia, license #0704013087, under the clinical supervision Dr. Sherry Todd,  PhD, LPC, ATR-BC, CTTS, TFTdx, DAAETS, 101 N Lynnhaven Rd #200, Virginia Beach, VA 23452, (757) 631-1300.