About Me: Brenda Washington

Mrs. Washington adopts a collaborative approach, focusing on reinforcing the alliance with her clients .She dedicated to supporting younger population in navigating life's transitions. She possesses extensive experience in child welfare services. Now, specializing in assisting children in coping with trauma-related issues, abuse and  neglect, anxiety, depression, other stressors affecting  developmental progress. She  has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from Savannah State College and a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Mrs. Washington has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Virginia since 2005 Furthermore, she completed a comprehensive three-year training program at the Washington School of Psychiatry, which enhanced her clinical expertise and deepened her understanding of psychodynamic principles. She is Registered Therapist, skilled in child-centered play therapy and evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (), which focus on addressing unhealthy thinking patterns and their connections to negative emotions and behaviors. Additionally, she is skilled and trained in the use of MATCH, an evidence-based therapeutic model for children.

Vanessa Jenkins has over 25 years of experience  working with children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in helping adults manage substance use, arising from ongoing trauma, peer pressure, and other distressing life events. Vanessa has a   M.Ed., QMHP, CSAP and specializes in addiction care. She is committed to aiding both adults and adolescents in their recovery from trauma-related challenges. She is adept at fostering excellent relationships with her peers and working collaboratively with community providers. Recognizing the dangers inherent in high-stress, trauma-exposed work settings, she also focuses on improving stress management, promoting healthier lifestyle choices, and facilitating recovery through established mindfulness and self-regulation techniques. Her approach is designed to enhance concentration, reduce negative thinking, and increase awareness of the present moment.

Ms. Mack is a passionate educator and supportive foster parent with a holistic approach to equip children and parents with tools for success.  She is recognized for her ability to work with families towards reunification of their children in the foster care system. 

 With over 35 years in the public school system, she brings the following credentials to her work:  BS in education and an M.A.Ed. 

 -22 years as a teacher

- 13 years as a school principal

-10 years as a Foster Parent

- Arlington County Foster Parent of the year  in 2017

-Two successful adoptions through Arlington County

She is a strong advocate for parents and children. She creates an environment where both, parent and child can thrive and grow together. With many years of experience in the education system, she is well-versed in working with children who have behavioral issues, school refusal, and developmental needs. Collaborating with caregivers, and other community partners, she develops advanced solutions to the myriad challenges that children and families face. Additionally, she is a proponent of the CLEARR method, which stands for Communication, Love, Empathy, Awareness, Rules, and Respect. She looks forward to helping parents gain the necessary skills needed to be successful. 

Mr. Washington, a U.S. Army retiree, currently serves as the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity for the federal government. He dedicates his free time to mentoring at-risk youth from underserved, demonstrating exceptional by fostering empathy, offering affirmation, and proactively addressing their concerns. He provides therapeutic support, focusing on topics that convey knowledge and coping strategies to navigate life's challenges. Washington holds an MPA in Public Administration and an MSA with a specialization in Leadership In role as HR Manager, he is committed to ensuring the efficient and effective execution of all activities, thereby facilitating the operations of other functions. He responsibly oversees daily operations to enhance workflow optimization.