The Collective
Welcome to A Brighter Birth, a different kind of care. ABB is a curated collective of local practitioners providing an array of services for the diverse needs of our community. Rooted in social justice, we are committed to supporting your individual experience through fertility, pregnancy, birth, parenting and wellness.
Below you will find our unique team of like minded resources; practicing with the same energy, skill and professionalism that our community has come to know and trust from A Brighter Birth.
Infant + Family Services
Mary Otañez - Birth + Family Photo
Mary Otañez is an editorial and lifestyle photographer specializing in all things Motherhood & Brand Photography in Richmond. It is her sole mission to support and empower all women by creating beautiful imagery that reflects their current life journey in all aspects of life. Growing up with a family full of women, Mary has always been surrounded with incredible females that embody bravery, resiliency, and love. It is in her nature to be supportive of all her female clients and provide imagery that captures their current journey authentically. It is important that each client feels seen, understood, and even empowered by her photography. Mary graduated over 16 years ago with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography & Film from VCU. She started my career as an Art Producer for The Martin Agency in Richmond, Virginia. Mary started her business officially 10 years ago and she has never looked back. She loves the creative process of her artwork and building a business of her own. Most importantly, she is most proud of her work as a mother to the sweetest young girl, Emma. Becoming a mother has been the greatest joy of her life. She feels grounded and humbled with this incredible role of being a mom.
Dr. Janet West - Pediatrician
After almost 15 years of working with families and newborns, and a mother of three herself, Dr. Janet West knows a thing or two about taking great care of babies. A Board Certified pediatrician and former military spouse, Dr. West has spent the majority of her career directing multiple pediatric clinics that served military families. She’s helped hundreds of parents care for their newborns, using compassion and gentle guidance while focusing on a holistic approach to her practice. Throughout her career, she recognized a common thread among families who were struggling with balancing the responsibilities newborns demand and the exhaustion they create. After obtaining her MBA, Dr. West started RVA Baby to provide them a better experience by offering medical services in the comfort of their own home. When she’s not working with clients, Dr. West loves spending time watching her twins perform at local venues, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her granddaughter Kathryn Rose.
Marija Eanes, PMH-C - Infant Massage
Marija Eanes was born in Serbia from a Serbian father and Venezuelan mother. In the first seven years of her life she lived on three different continents. Traveling, moving and adapting to different cultures and environments became part of her life from the very beginning. Marija also lived in Paris, France and Montreal, Canada before she married Mark and moved to the Bay Area of California in 2015. In July of 2023 she moved to RVA. Her love for working with families began in Montreal where she received her training from the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) in 2011. Expanding her passion to support families, she became a Musical Baby Bonding™ Instructor in 2017, and a Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) Practitioner in 2021. In 2022 Marija received a PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification) from Postpartum Support International which opened a new way of interaction and relationship with parents in her classes. As a complement, she is passionate about being in the “business of slowing down” and bringing mindfulness into people’s lives. In 2018 she received her 200hrs Yoga Teacher Training Certificate and in 2019 became a Prenatal Yoga Teacher as well. She is currently in the process of becoming an Infant Massage International Trainer with IAIM, her first love. Marija strongly believes that healthy and positive attachment for any baby begins with a healthy and emotionally available parent. Parental mental health and mindful parenting is her primary focus. In the era of devices and distractions, it has become her personal mission to nurture human interaction, relationships, empathy and all the beautiful (and difficult) things that make us humans - well… human.
Her group and/or private classes offer a safe and nurturing environment for parents to connect with their babies using the tools of music and gentle touch. Every group becomes a circle of support, a place of discovery and learning. Classes are taught in series and both parents are always welcomed to attend!
Elise Benoit - Placenta Encapsulation
Elise is a ToLabor trained Professional Birth Doula, a CAPPA trained Postpartum Doula, an IPPA trained Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, and a Lamaze Trained Childbirth Educator. Elise also attended the University of Georgia and Piedmont College and holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is a mother to Theo and Georgia and is married to Todd. She entered into the doula field after her own birth, which showed her the importance of building a supportive birth and postpartum team. She continued to add trainings to help extend her knowledge about the many facets of birth and offer assistance through the postpartum time. Those trainings and workshops include: Acupressure in pregnancy and childbirth, Perinatal Loss and Grief, and Spinning Babies Techniques.
Elise believes that education and unbiased support lead to each birthing family feeling empowered and informed when making childbirth decisions. After personally enduring a battle with postpartum depression, she hopes to help her clients feel supported through the entire childbirth experience including the fourth trimester. Through her work as a birth doula and her own experience, she saw her clients have beautiful births, but still struggle with energy and emotions during the postpartum experience. She offers placenta encapsulation as a holistic option to balance hormones, replenish iron, increase prolactin for milk production, and boost energy levels. She completed Placenta Encapsulation training with IPPA, holds the food ServSafe certification and renews a blood born pathogens training each year.
Outside of the birth world, Elise enjoys cheering for UGA (Go Dawgs!), arranging flowers, reading, retail therapy, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.
Cheyenne Varner - Childbirth Educator
Cheyenne is a certified birth and postpartum doula and founder of The Educated Birth, and Everyday Birth Magazine. Over the course of her studies, she trained with ToLabor, Ancient Song Doula Services, and Doula Trainings International, and was certified through Doula Trainings International in 2018. Since 2016, she has supported and educated families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences in and beyond her home base of Richmond, VA. Through The Educated Birth, she has developed hundreds of industry-changing illustrations and teaching tools for reproductive health professionals that are used today throughout the US and internationally.
Cheyenne’s Childbirth Education Class: Let’s Talk about Birth is a comprehensive thoughtfully designed and inclusive multi-week program created to empower informed choices about your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experiences. She recognizes that every individual embarks on this journey with their unique set of values, concerns, and preferences, and you deserve support every step of the way. Whether you're a first-time parent, you're having another child, you're planning a low-intervention birth, or a cesarean birth, or a VBAC — this course covers information and offers practical tips that are relevant to you!
Cheyenne’s work has been used and/or featured by organizations including Babylist, Doula Trainings International, Birthing Advocacy Doula Training, The Birth Place Lab, Common Sense Childbirth, Inc, Hypnobabies, and more. Her core mission revolves around transforming the narratives surrounding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum to make them more realistic, individualized, and inclusive. And it is her joy to meet parents where they are and provide them with the highest quality and most accessible education to empower them for the best possible experience.
Latisha Suitte - CPR Instructor + CLC
Latisha “Tisha” Suitte is a certified Red Cross CPR Adult and Pediatric instructor, Certified Lactation Counselor + Breastfeeding Educator. After graduating from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in biology and childhood studies, Tisha set out to do what she loves; Inspiring and teaching young minds and supporting parents with effective tools to manage home life. After working in childcare for 5 years, Tisha opened Royal Feedings LLC to help parents in a new way. As a CPR instructor, Tisha has helped many families learn lifesaving skills and preventive measures to ensure the safety of family members. Infant CPR/First Aid instills the confidence necessary for families in emergency situations including choking and cardiac arrest. Tisha offers two class options, blended and in-person instruction. The blended course includes a self-paced online class with in-person testing. The in-person option is a three-hour class with instructor-guided skill assessments throughout the course prior to testing. Tisha also provides lactation support in-home as a CLC and leads monthly breastfeeding courses.
Jennifer Boyd, PA-C - In Home Pediatric Care
Jennifer Boyd is a physician associate who founded House Calls for Kids, an in home pediatric practice serving Greater Richmond with telemedicine and house call services. Jennifer is a mother of two and a military wife. She and her husband are Virginia natives who met in college at VCU. After graduating from VCU she relocated to Tampa Bay Florida where she attended Barry University obtaining her Masters Degree in Clinical Medical Sciences. As a practicing Physician Associate, she spent the early years of her career in community Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine. She then went on to serve the families Tampa Bay working at the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Emergency Center for 10 years before branching out to build House Calls for Kids.
Three years ago Jennifer recognized there was an opportunity to provide families with a better healthcare experience, keeping them out of the waiting room and ER. House Calls for Kids was founded to provide families with convenient, accessible and high quality pediatric care. With a quick text message or online request, you can speak with a pediatric specialist within minutes. From wellness care to sick/urgent care we've got you covered! Our goal is to keep life simple for families while providing the best possible care. We offer in-home care for newborns through 18 years of age. We look forward to meeting your family! For more info or to request a visit head to their website below or call 804-567-7347
Claire Vallis - Financial Planner
My career in money found me. I spent the first half of my life pretending money didn’t matter, leaving it to someone else to figure out, and avoiding it all together. I assumed it was too complicated and too boring.
But then life happened. Kids happened. Covid happened, and I didn’t have the choice to ignore money anymore or leave my fate in the hands of whoever was supposed to come save me.
I downloaded @youneedabudget (YNAB) in July of 2021, and my life has truly never been the same. It ushered me up through unemployment, having zero paid maternity leave, feeding 3 kids under 5 and into a level of empowerment, stability and peace. I truly believe that once you have mastered the budget, your entire world opens up.
Once I mastered my budget, the world of financial planning opened up for me. I have been a health and life licensed financial planner since October of 2023 working with a compassionate group of women whose mission is “no family left behind.” We are financial planners for the rest of us. We offer shame-free guidance and empower individuals and families to own their finances and create the life of their dreams @vortexfinancial.
Dr. Ali Temple + Dr. Bekkah Corkey - First Priority OT
First Priority Occupational Therapy was founded by Dr. Ali Temple (left) in April 2021. Ali graduated from Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in Fishersville, Virginia in 2018 with her doctorate in occupational therapy. After graduation, Ali practiced in an outpatient pediatric clinic followed by contract work in private academic placements and public schools. First Priority Occupational Therapy was founded on the importance of providing high quality therapeutic care in a child's naturalistic environment with a team approach. Ali and Dr. Bekkah Corkey (right) met in the summer of 2019 when they worked together in an outpatient clinic. Ali and Bekkah instantly connected and bonded during co-treating and their shared love and passion of working in the pediatric setting. Bekkah joined Ali at First Priority Occupational Therapy in March 2022 as the lead physical therapist on the team, supporting infants and children through their development. Ali and Bekkah are a dynamic duo that can be found sending frequent gifs to each other, cracking jokes, and brainstorming how to better support our community.
First Priority Occupational Therapy, LLC is a private pediatric therapy company in the Greater Richmond area providing occupational and physical therapy services. First Priority Occupational Therapy has a team of 11 amazing therapists who provide private in-home therapy services emphasizing parent education and holistic approaches to therapy for optimal goal attainment. The First Priority Occupational Therapy team highlights the importance of sensory integration and sensory-motor approaches to facilitating self-regulation and self-awareness. Additionally, the First Priority Occupational Therapy team contracts into over 30 private preschools and schools in the area providing staff training, parent education opportunities, individualized services, and small group enrichment programs to support childhood confidence and independence in the school setting. At First Priority Occupational Therapy, their first priority is connection to utilize client-centered, strengths based therapy to support the whole child. Follow along @FirstPriorityOT
Mary Farrelly - NICU Support Services
Mary Farrelly is an experienced NICU nurse, nurse educator and mom of two sweet girls. She graduated from VCU with her Bachelor’s in Nursing and has over 10 years of experience working in NICUs with the highest level of acuity patients (Level IV). Over these years, she has had the honor of working with hundreds of families during their most vulnerable time. Every day she is humbled by the strength and will of these fragile babies and the immense love their families have for them. While in the NICU, babies are constantly monitored and surrounded by NICU care providers 24/7. Families may have been limited in the direct hands-on care that they could provide to their baby and day-to-day life may have been filled with anxiety and fear of the unknown. Discharge from the NICU is highly anticipated and an extremely joyous event – baby is finally going home! But families still have so many questions and fears about taking their NICU baby home. They want to be able to experience the new baby bliss, but just want someone who *gets it* to be in their corner. Through 1:1 sessions and live chat support, Mary works together with families to create a unique plan to help support their transition from the NICU to home. She envisions her role as the nurturing guidance and support of a postpartum doula combined with the knowledge and lens of an experienced NICU nurse. By working together, families will no longer be “cut off” from the supportive NICU environment; instead they can feel empowered to care for their baby and have their questions answered by someone who *gets it* so they can truly enjoy their first weeks home together.
Ocean Hak-Kuhn - Infant Care Educator
Ocean Hak-Kuhn is our A Brighter Birth Infant Care Educator. Hailing from a big family but last in line, Ocean didn’t get to be surrounded by babies at home so she placated her need to hold them by providing childcare early—at the tender age of 10 years old thanks to a trusting and weary mama across the street! This eventually led to a career as a nanny, working for several families over the years and (unexpectedly!) specializing in twins. Her passion for childcare opened her eyes to see how necessary support is for the entire family during pregnancy and early postpartum was as well. From there, she attended Postpartum Doula trainings through Birth Arts International, as well as ToLabor Birth Doula trainings and became a Certified Lactation Counselor through the Healthy Children’s Project in order to couple her hands-on experience with evidenced-based education. With the birth of her first child, she experienced firsthand how pivotal doula support was through her own labor and early weeks of motherhood. She is deeply grateful and honored to walk through this period with the families she supports.
Bodywork
Dr. Cara Corbelli - Chiropractor
Originally from Batavia, New York, Dr. Cara knew at a very young age that she was going to become a Chiropractor. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the State University at Fredonia in Fredonia, New York. After the completion of her undergraduate studies, she continued on to fulfill her lifelong dream and graduated Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, which is the founding college of chiropractic, with her Doctorate of Chiropractic Degree.
With her passion being for children and prenatal care, she is Webster Technique certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. This technique is used to alleviate intrauterine constraint to help with decreasing pelvic discomfort during pregnancy and also allows for a safer and more comfortable labor and delivery. She is also skilled in many other different chiropractic techniques, such as, Toggle-recoil, full spine Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop, Activator, and Sacral-Occipital Technique, allowing her to give the best possible care to each individual patient.
As a physician, Dr. Cara strives to help the body to heal itself through giving specific and proper adjustments to the spine, freeing the nervous system of any interference and allowing the body to be in its most optimal state. She is honored to have the ability to share her knowledge and passion on a holistic approach to health and wellness with her patients. Dr. Cara Corbelli looks forward to talking with you about how you and your family can benefit from chiropractic care.
Kelley Ryan - Physical Therapist
Kelley started RVA Holistic PT after her own experience needing physical therapy after the birth of her 3rd child — and encountering long wait lists, thousands of dollars in surprise bills, no-children allowed policies and impossible to find providers to help. She decided she could do better and RVA Holistic PT was born. Kelley absolutely loves helping birthing people, [m]others and those who have tried “all the things” and still have pain.
Kelley grew up in Midlothian and is a proud Hokie! She graduated from Northwestern University in 2006 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She has practiced orthopedics, women’s health and pelvic health since 2006, mentored other pelvic health physical therapists since 2014, taught pregnancy and postpartum topics in the VCU physical therapy program since 2013 and teaches as a lab assistant for pelvic floor advanced courses for physical therapists.
Kelley has taken advanced postgraduate coursework in pelvic floor assessment and treatment (all 3 levels), holistic treatment of the postpartum patient, holistic treatment of the pregnant patient, hypopressives and low pressure fitness, constipation, pediatric constipation and incontinence, male pelvic pain, coccydynia and painful sitting, diastasis rectus (DRA), pudendal neuralgia, breast health and post-mastectomy care, chronic pain, incontinence, dry needling, McKenzie evaluation and treatment, functional movement assessment, running analysis, back and sacroiliac joint pain. Kelley is one of only 4 Board Certified Women’s Health physical therapists in the Richmond metro region. She is also a Certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist.
Kelley is a mom of a 3! She has a toddler, a tween and one in between! She loves movement to stay sane. She is a certified yoga teacher and yoga 4 cancer teacher but also jogs, hikes, walks just about everywhere and chases her toddler for exercise.
Elizabeth Fuqua - Acupuncturist
Elizabeth Fuqua, L.Ac. is a Nationally Board Certified and state certified acupuncturist licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. Elizabeth is a graduate of the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Master of Science Degree in Acupuncture (M.S.Ac.) program. She was drawn to Traditional Chinese Medicine because it treats the whole person and seeks to understand the root cause of health concerns rather than viewing the body in a compartmentalized way.
Elizabeth’s work focuses on the mind-body connection in seeking to resolve chronic and acute pain, stress, sleep problems, fertility issues, and digestive disorders, among others. In addition, Elizabeth has completed postgraduate coursework in treating conditions related to pregnancy and postpartum – a specialty she has felt drawn to since the birth of her own children in 2019 and 2021.
She truly believes acupuncture can help everyone, no matter where they are in life, and considers it an honor to make a difference in someone’s health and instill lifelong change for the better. In addition to acupuncture, Elizabeth’s sessions offer movement-based therapies, nutrition counseling and lifestyle advice to empower her clients on their health journey beyond the treatment room.
Chelsea Martin - Esthetician
(A Self-Care DREAM) Owner of Luna Aesthetics and Spa/Master Esthetician and Educator, Chelsea Martin has been an Esthetician since 2008. Over the years she has found that simply having a conversation about the skin and how it works, brings the best results. The skin is our largest organ and connected to every part of our body and she believes it should be treated that way. Chelsea has worked in every realm of skincare, from medical to plant-based and everywhere in between. In 2016, she started teaching Esthetics and started her own independent practice. In 2018, she opened Luna Aesthetics and Spa to create an environment that women could feel taken care of and safe while still providing completely customized and results-driven skincare. Working with women before, during, and after their pregnancies has become her passion. There are so many products out there and it’s important to know what is truly safe yet still effective to use during this time. Watching the skin change on the surface as the body changes internally is an exciting journey and she is grateful and excited to be a part of it with her clients.
Kenzie Barrett - Float Therapy
Kenzie Barrett is the owner of Vitality Float Spa. Vitality is a wellness oasis, located in the fan, by Byrd park, offers float therapy, reflexology sessions and other services for mothers to be.
Float Therapy and Pregnancy: Float therapy is a large enclosed bathtub designed to reduce distractions: lights, sounds, gravity, and tactile sensations. The water is heated to skin temperature and is filled with 1000 pounds of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), making it denser than even the Dead Sea. You will find yourself floating effortlessly and losing track of where your body ends and where your body begins. As you lie in a float tank, about 90% of neuromuscular activity is decreased. Cortisol levels drop significantly, blood pressure lowers and a deep sense of relaxation starts to take over your body. Whether you are trying to get pregnant, pregnant or recently had your little one delivered, floating will help lower stress by unwinding your mind and body as it goes through this very transformative time. Floating during pregnancy also helps promote excellent sleep patterns, alleviates spine and back pain, reduces swelling & inflammation, helps your baby get into position around the 36th week of pregnancy and gives you the chance to experience a deeper bond and connection with your child.
Vitality Float Spa offers 60 and 90-minute float sessions. A pool noodle is offered during the 2nd and 3rd trimester, so you can lie on your stomach or side for comfort while you are floating. The more often you float during pregnancy the more benefits you will notice.
Erin Osiol - MSW, Licensed Massage Therapist
Erin Osiol is a Licensed Massage Therapist. Following an almost 20-year career as a social worker, Erin founded OpenSpace in 2016 to follow a passion to apply the core social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships to massage therapy and bodywork in an effort to facilitate healing in a completely new way.
Erin acts out of the firm believe that when you stretch, you open up space. When you physically, emotionally stretch (or allow yourself to be stretched), you create space and allow for greater movement, greater vulnerability and more growth- in every way. This belief is at the heart of her client-centered work.
Erin is a former massage instructor at the Lotus School of Integrated Professions and specializes in treating issues relating to trauma, anxiety and pain. OpenSpace Massage & Bodywork is a woman-owned business providing relaxing, prenatal and therapeutic massage services in the Richmond, VA area, with a particular focus on helping clients manage anxiety, trauma and pain symptoms. OpenSpace is a safe, inclusive space, welcoming of everyone, and dedicated to providing sensitive, client-centered care. I hold the firm belief that healthy bodies and minds create healthy communities.
Health + Wellness
Suzanne Burns - Yoga Studio
This beautiful studio, located in the heart of the city, off of the historic Shockoe Slip, offers Prenatal, Restorative, Vinyasa, Hot Power and many more styles of yoga for the pregnant and non pregnant person.
Prenatal Class Description: For the expecting mother and those desiring to be mothers, this practice is a wonderful way to nurture your body – both to prepare to conceive or prepare for labor. These unique classes are specifically sequenced to offer a safe and effective practice designed to both strengthen and relax the body through a combination of breath and body movement and meditation. Within this class, you will find a safe, supportive community for mothers to share in this experience together.
Prenatal classes are unheated and 75 minutes. All women at any stage of pregnancy and those looking to conceive are welcome.
Instructors have specific prenatal training with an additional 85 hours of prenatal certification.
Kate Stephenson - Meal Delivery Service
Kate is a personal chef with a focus on plant heavy, gut healthy meals for families and new mothers. She founded Kate Uncorked in 2014 after graduating from Ballymaloe Cookery School's Farm to Fork Food Program in Cork, Ireland on a mission to help people connect to their food in meaningful ways by untethering them from restrictive eating and supporting the creation of new, healthy relationships with food. In 2019, Kate transitioned from private clients to offering weekly meal plans, allowing her to reach a larger community in a more approachable way. All plans are built to satisfy vegetarians and omnivores alike and are always free from dairy, gluten, soy and refined sugar. Her newest plan - Le Mommy Meal Plan - was designed alongside Registered Dietitian Cayla Jablonski specifically with postpartum nutrition in mind. It was created as a gifting service for new mothers and families but is also a great way to treat yourself!
Cayla Jablonski - Registered Dietician
Cayla Jablonski Bousaba is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and owner of Nutrition Preferred, a virtual private practice specializing in prenatal and postpartum nutrition, gut health, weight management, disordered eating, and eating disorders. Cayla uses science based education as well as mindful eating to help clients develop a healthy relationship with food and reach their health goals. She recognizes the confusion and fear caused by diet culture and creates a plan uniquely designed for each client that fits within a normal, realistic lifestyle. When she is not seeing clients you can find her being a mom of two under two, outside with her dog (preferably hiking), trying cool restaurants with her husband, or cooking for the whole family.
Mental Health
Ellie Burke - Life Coach
I have spent the last 20 years helping people find their way to happier, more meaningful and connected lives.
Having been through my fair share of difficult life circumstances, internal turmoil, as well as incredibly rich and beautiful life experiences, I have always sought out answers to the big life questions. Drawn to philosophy, exploring the edges of life, and the wish to understand the nature of suffering, I began a many-year immersion into the inner work of both yoga & meditation. After teaching yoga and meditation for 18+ years, becoming trained and certified as a life coach unfolded as a necessary next step in my mission to help people find themselves, let go of who they think they should be and create, instead, the lives that feel most true to them.
My process is a unique blend of coaching tools and strategies developed by Martha Beck, the “original Life Coach,” my own decades-long meditation practice, and my background in education and human development.
I refer to myself as a “generalist” because I work with all types of people in, often, many areas of their lives. I meet individuals where they are, identify who or where they wish to be as a result of our work together, and in a never-one-size-fits-all approach, help to facilitate their process of getting there. We work on the inner world just as much as the outer world.
My work with clients is centered around helping them to deeply connect with who they are and what they want most in life. The actions and course they take from there always results in helping them achieve what they most want – in career, relationships, lifestyle, and/or family.
Caitlin Shifflet - Psychotherapist
Caitlin is passionate about seeing women thrive and considers herself very lucky to be able to do this work. “I know first hand that choosing someone to trust with your heart can feel both exciting and intimidating. I think it’s important to know that I have navigated my own emotional discomfort and self-development through therapy, so I am always honored to be part of someone’s healing journey.”
Caitlin has spent the last 11 years working in the non-profit sector specifically developing programs for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as providing treatment.
As a therapist she brings a sense of balance to the work by building an authentic relationship with you, while also remaining clear in her approach to therapy.
Caitlin is a psychodynamically oriented therapist with specialized training in experiential dynamic therapy through the Washington School of Psychiatry. Her practice is also deeply informed by her training as a yoga therapist. This adds a holistic element of treating the whole person, taking into consideration the mind, body, and soul.
You will find that Caitlin is compassionate and warm, but direct and challenging in service of your goals. She truly believes she should be helping you make the absolute most out of the time together as well as your resources.
Outside of the therapy room Caitlin is usually outdoors or on my yoga mat. She also works hard to practice what she preaches and lets herself relax in a world that tells us we should always be up to something.
Kasey Reichard - Marriage + Family Therapist
Kasey is the founder and director of Second Haven Therapy, offering mental health support to individuals, couples, and families. Holding a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist, she provides virtual therapy sessions for clients residing in the state of Virginia. Kasey specializes in perinatal mental health and couples therapy, aiming to provide essential support to parents. She understands the unique challenges faced by individuals and couples during the perinatal period, encompassing pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting stages.
Creating a therapeutic space that is safe and nurturing is extremely important to Kasey. Whether her clients are experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or adjusting to the demands of parenthood, Kasey is eager to help. She is dedicated to exploring the emotional complexities that can arise during the transformative time of becoming a parent. She recognizes the importance of parental well-being, and its impact on the family system. Kasey works hard to help her clients navigate the emotional ups and downs, while working towards fostering resilience, self-care, and healthy coping strategies.
The therapeutic approach Kasey works from is rooted in evidence-based practices, incorporating techniques from Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Attachment Theory. She believes in the power of creating a warm and supportive therapeutic relationship, where clients can openly share their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment. Kasey works to be collaborative with her clients, encouraging and guiding them to identify their strengths while also building practical skills to navigate their challenges. She warmly welcomes the opportunity to accompany and support her clients on their unique journey of self-discovery and growth, empowering them to thrive both as an individual and as a parent. Kasey's utmost priority is to remind her clients that they are not alone, and that she is committed to guiding and supporting them throughout their journey in therapy, and as a parent.
Kara Weiland - LCSW, PMH-C
Kara Weiland is a maternal mental health therapist, focusing on motherhood, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and trauma work that may relate to these areas.
Kara’s goal is to help women find confidence, fulfillment, and joy by equipping them with the tools they need to be the moms they want to be, while maintaining their sense of self.
With certifications in perinatal mental health and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Kara is equipped to help women throughout the journey of motherhood. The process often starts by looking at a client’s history and what brought them to this point in time. Through the work together, clients will be equipped to be the mom they want to be with a sense of balance and confidence. Kara’s expert knowledge on PMADs means that she is prepared to work with women in the unique challenges that may arise during pregnancy and postpartum.
When not in the therapy room, Kara is running after her own two young kids, cooking and baking, doing yoga, and taking walks as often as she can, usually while listening to an audiobook.