Our therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in Reston, VA

Crystal Chafin is a Resident in Counseling specializing in marriage and family therapy with over 5 years of experience. She assists couples and individuals who have a range of concerns including chronic illness, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, behavioral problems, and substance use disorder. Crystal has experience working with adolescents struggling with gender and sexuality, and with those that have a diagnosis of ADHD and bipolar disorder. She has witnessed firsthand how mental health diagnoses impact the family system and uses that experience to provide a safe space for her clients to share.

Crystal graduated from Capella University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and Addiction Studies. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, Gottman therapy, collaborative therapy, narrative therapy, and mindfulness exercises.

Crystal strives to help others cope with difficult diagnoses and obstacles while creating obtainable therapy goals. She provides a safe space to share feelings, thoughts, and emotions without judgment. Schedule an appointment with her today!

Michael is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who strives to support and guide his clients through challenging life experiences. He has over 10+ years of professional experience working with children, youth, and families. Michael specializes in the areas of depression, anxiety, adults with childhood trauma, mood disorders, adoption issues, cultural issues, parent-child conflicts, relational discord, and managing life transitions. 

Michael has extensive experience empowering and engaging individuals, couples, and families to move toward positive changes. He also has a broad range of experience working with youth and adults with mental health concerns. In addition, Michael has extensive experience working in juvenile justice, child welfare, adoption, foster care, and domestic violence services.

Michael is able to use his own life experiences to motivate clients to explore and expand their capacity to reach new limits. Michael's experiences include how to create internal motivation, harness resiliency, overcome challenges/adversity, face fears, and navigate self-confidence/self-doubt which are some of the skills he developed while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail. By joining with his clients Michael can support his clients as they seek to experience life as an adventure and avoid stagnation/getting stuck.

Michael received his Master of Social Work Degree from George Mason University in 2007. He combines traditional talk therapy with cognitive-behavioral, insight-oriented, solution-focused, and family systems to help empower people toward the life they want. He believes that change occurs by utilizing the client’s existing strengths incorporated with a strong therapeutic relationship. Michael believes clients hold the key to the change they want to see.

Ariam I. Peña is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia with 10 years of experience in the Mental Health field. She is passionate about helping adolescents, and adults of all cultural backgrounds address their unique challenges, foster growth, implement positive change, and live more fulfilled lives. Ariam specializes in substance abuse, depression, anxiety, life changes, and relationship issues.

Ariam completed her Bachelors in Psychology from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico in 2007, and her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University in 2010. Her therapeutic approach is based on Multicultural Counseling. Being Latina, relocating to a new country, learning and adapting to a new culture coupled with her professional experience enables her to provide the support her clients are seeking. Ariam uses multiple treatment approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

We all go through challenges in our lives and have experienced some big changes in the past few years. Therapy is a safe space to explore how the environment and experiences have impacted our lives no matter how big or small those changes have been. Ariam is confident that she would be able to support you on your personal journey to gain new perspectives and techniques that will allow you to cope with what you may be struggling with. If you are ready to do the work and looking for support on your journey toward growth and healing, schedule an appointment today.

Rachel Francis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work with 4 years of experience providing therapy in outpatient settings, both in person and via telehealth. Rachel has also worked with youth and families in home-based settings for two years. Her clinical focus includes anxiety, depression, self-harm, and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Rachel holds a Master’s in Social Work from Western New Mexico University. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy to help clients improve communication, build self-esteem, and heal from trauma.She is passionate about helping individuals make meaningful change in their lives and creates a supportive space for clients to feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Mental health care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Rachel tailors treatment to meet your unique needs and goals. You’ll be supported in creating the change you desire at your pace, on your terms. Here, you can expect compassion, collaboration, and the tools to thrive.