Title: Owner and Counselor
Company: Healing Rivers Counseling
Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States
Judith F. Mitchell, LPC, NCC, owner and counselor at Healing Rivers Counseling, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Healthcare Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in mental health.
With over two decades of experience, Ms. Mitchell has established a successful career in mental health, specializing in trauma, dialectical behavioral therapy, military sexual trauma, and gambling. She is currently the owner of Health Rivers Counseling, which she established in 2024. Additionally, she serves as a telehealth counselor at the Williamsburg Centre for Therapy and as a licensed clinical professional counselor at Family Insight PC, roles she has held since 2024. Her experience also includes working as a provisional licensed professional counselor at Family Insight PC from 2022 to 2024 and serving as a registered nurse for over 20 years. She has also made significant contributions to the field as the author of “SWAT Out Anger” and as the co-founder of Virginia Hope, a position she has held since 2015. She is also an active volunteer with the Pinnacle Auto Dealers Association and a donor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Ms. Mitchell also dedicates her to serving as a disaster specialist during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of 9/11 and is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Virginia Counselors Association. She laid an educational foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, an associate degree in nursing from Thomas Nelson Community College, and a master’s degree in clinical psychology and counseling, cum laude, from Southern New Hampshire University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in clinical counseling psychology at Regent University and certification in EMDR therapy.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Mitchell was drawn to working with veterans after recognizing the significant amount of untreated PTSD within this population. She realized the substantial need for support and began focusing on the military, a unique clientele with similarities to first responders. Both groups share common experiences with combat and trauma and often form close-knit communities. She takes great pride in her steadfast commitment to education. Embarking on her college journey for the first time in her 30s, she demonstrated a courageous pursuit of knowledge and personal growth at a stage when many might feel their educational opportunities have passed. In her 60s, she returned to the classroom, following the belief that it is never too late to expand one’s horizons. She attributes her success to consistently embracing new experiences and welcoming opportunities to learn, viewing each moment as a chance to deepen her understanding and grow.
Looking to the future, Ms. Mitchell aspires to publish a children’s book she has recently written, envisioning it as a therapeutic resource to help young readers navigate emotional challenges and find healing. She is passionate about empowering fellow therapists by sharing her insights and experiences to foster their professional growth and enhance the quality of care within the mental health field. To further refine her skills and therapeutic approach, she is currently pursuing certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, an evidence-based technique highly effective in treating trauma. Having opened her own practice, she aims to transition to a telehealth platform in the near term, enabling her to travel and work from anywhere while continuing to provide accessible mental health services. Her long-term goals include completing her dissertation on trauma, with a focus on supporting first responders and military personnel.
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