About Me: Brenda Washington

 Mrs. Washington employs a collaborative approach, emphasizing the strengthening of the therapeutic alliance with her clients. She is committed to helping our younger population and is dedicated to helping them navigate life's changes.  She has a rich background in child welfare service and a focus on children and families' services. She earned a BSSW in Social Work from Savannah State College and an MSSW from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Mrs. Washington has held her LCSW in Virginia since 2005. Additionally, she completed a three-year training program at the Washington School of Psychiatry, enhancing her clinical practice and deepening her grasp of psychodynamic concepts. She is a Registered Play Therapist, adept in child centered play therapy, patient child relationship therapy and evidence-based practices like trauma informed therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which targets unhealthy and distorted thinking patterns that contribute to negative emotions and behaviors. She is also proficient in methods such as ACT, MATCH, and Trauma-Informed Therapy.

Vanessa Jenkins has over 25 years of experience in 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 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 equipping children with tools for success.  She is recognized for her ability to work with families towards reunification of their children. She utilizes a behavior modification approach to bring about a change in all participants. 

 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 Parents of the year 2017

-Two successful adoptions through Arlington County

She is a strong advocate for parents and children. She creates an environment where both 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, 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, serves as the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity within the federal government. He dedicates his free time to assisting at-risk youths and individuals from underserved communities. As a mentor, he shines by leading with empathy, providing affirmation, and listening intently to their concerns. He offers therapeutic support, coupled with an educational approach, concentrating on topics that deliver essential information and coping mechanisms to sustain life challenges.  Mr. Washington holds an MPA in Public Management and an MSA with a focus on Leadership. In his role as our HR manager, he is committed to ensuring that all activities are conducted effectively and efficiently, which in turn supports the smooth operation of other functions. He is responsible for hiring new staff, overseeing daily operations, and organizing the workplace to optimize workflow.