Our Counselors
Annetta Benjamin, MA, LPC, NCC, Licensed Professional Counselor/ Clinical Supervisor
Life can be pretty challenging and tough, especially when you’re struggling to overcome a fear, habit, relationship, confusion, or just plain stress. However, there is always hope, particularly when times become difficult. As a Counselor, I truly enjoy my skill in fostering hope in the lives of individuals and families. Below is some information on my background as a Counselor.
I have a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia. During my internship as a graduate student I worked as a Spiritual Care & Bereavement Coordinator at a hospice agency. Upon graduation, I continued to work as Bereavement Counselor for three years. During that time I organized and conducted several successful bereavement camps for youth who had lost a loved one. In the past, I have also worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional for five years in Home Based Counseling, with a focus of working with children, teens, and parents. All together I have worked in the counseling field for over 14 years helping individuals and families improve their lives.
Now as a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor (NCC) in private practice for over seven years, I specialize in counseling children, adolescents, and young adults with behavior, academic, self-esteem, coping, communication, bereavement, and anger issues. I also counsel adults, couples, and the elderly with spiritual, bereavement, communication, family, relationships, and anxiety concerns.
Along with counseling individuals and families, I supervise both undergraduate and graduate counseling interns as well as Resident In Counseling therapists, who are in the process of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. In addition to supervision, I also provide onsite in-services for companies, churches, schools, and community centers regarding grief and loss, stress management, wellness, self-esteem, depression, and suicide.
As a caring counselor, I truly look forward to building an empowering and self-fulfilling relationship with you!
Life can be pretty challenging and tough, especially when you’re struggling to overcome a fear, habit, relationship, confusion, or just plain stress. However, there is always hope, particularly when times become difficult. As a Counselor, I truly enjoy my skill in fostering hope in the lives of individuals and families. Below is some information on my background as a Counselor.
I have a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia. During my internship as a graduate student I worked as a Spiritual Care & Bereavement Coordinator at a hospice agency. Upon graduation, I continued to work as Bereavement Counselor for three years. During that time I organized and conducted several successful bereavement camps for youth who had lost a loved one. In the past, I have also worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional for five years in Home Based Counseling, with a focus of working with children, teens, and parents. All together I have worked in the counseling field for over 14 years helping individuals and families improve their lives.
Now as a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor (NCC) in private practice for over seven years, I specialize in counseling children, adolescents, and young adults with behavior, academic, self-esteem, coping, communication, bereavement, and anger issues. I also counsel adults, couples, and the elderly with spiritual, bereavement, communication, family, relationships, and anxiety concerns.
Along with counseling individuals and families, I supervise both undergraduate and graduate counseling interns as well as Resident In Counseling therapists, who are in the process of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. In addition to supervision, I also provide onsite in-services for companies, churches, schools, and community centers regarding grief and loss, stress management, wellness, self-esteem, depression, and suicide.
As a caring counselor, I truly look forward to building an empowering and self-fulfilling relationship with you!
Luane Oprea, Ph.D., LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor
I am a mental health counselor, consultant, educator, and researcher with over 23 years of professional experience. I specialize in children, adolescent, and adult development and also in the mental wellness of individuals, organizations, and cultures. My doctorate is from the University of New Orleans as well as my undergraduate degree in business management.
I have specializations in other areas of mental health such as personal and professional relationship skill development; prevention of risky behavior in children and teenagers; healthy parenting skill development; self-awareness and focusing skills to eliminate stress, anxieties, and anger; prevention of addictive behaviors; healthy interventions for post-traumatic stress symptoms in children and adults; crisis prevention techniques; healthy couple and family relationship skill development; life transitional skills; child abuse and child custody cases; wellness treatment plans (Oprea, 2013) for DSM-V disorders; individual and group counseling on diverse topics and issues; and wellness developmental skills.
I have worked in and with public and private schools and universities, small and corporate businesses, mental health agencies, medical and rehabilitation facilities, homeless shelters, nursing homes, legal and criminal justice systems, Red Cross mental health disaster team, Head Start, SPCA, YWCA, and community organizations as well as diverse cultural environments. Through my work I have discovered a method to achieve wellness for individuals in any environment or organization.
My method includes three basic foundations of wellness. They are a system of physical and emotional safety, the understanding of mattering in any relationship especially with ourselves, and the ability to create the lives we want with others using healthy mental and emotional skills. I believe these three foundations of wellness can be achieved when the right physical and psychological conditions are present (McNeill & Oprea, 2011).
I believe, as in my mental health counseling profession, every individual has the right to be mentally and emotionally well. I have advocated for wellness of individuals in the legal system, state legislation, child protection teams, public and private schools and colleges, domestic violence agencies, homeless shelters, medical and community organizations, and businesses. I continue to focus my clinical work, research, presentations, and community education on mental and emotional wellness for all.
Kendra Burnside, PhD, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Today, we live in a world filled with stressors that may complicate our lives. How we respond to these stressors can have a positive or negative impact on the way we live. Making the decision to reach out and seek support when feeling overwhelmed or defeated during these times can improve your quality of life.
I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 5 years of experience providing counsel to aging adults, adults, adolescents, and families. I seek to empower clients to identify needs and develop pathways to achieve their goals by utilizing their own strengths and resources. I specialize in grief and bereavement issues due to the death of a loved one, loss of job, divorce, crises, and other life transitions. This may include treatment of depression, anxiety, anger management, and other related issues. I believe that the balance of our emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial needs is essential to our quality of life.
I obtained my Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Master of Social work at the University of Oklahoma. I graduated with my Bachelor of Social work at East Central University and have been a licensed clinical social worker since 2007. My previous experience includes providing psychosocial treatment and bereavement care to patients and families on Hospice care, as well as internships working in acute and skilled nursing units.
Today, we live in a world filled with stressors that may complicate our lives. How we respond to these stressors can have a positive or negative impact on the way we live. Making the decision to reach out and seek support when feeling overwhelmed or defeated during these times can improve your quality of life.
I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 5 years of experience providing counsel to aging adults, adults, adolescents, and families. I seek to empower clients to identify needs and develop pathways to achieve their goals by utilizing their own strengths and resources. I specialize in grief and bereavement issues due to the death of a loved one, loss of job, divorce, crises, and other life transitions. This may include treatment of depression, anxiety, anger management, and other related issues. I believe that the balance of our emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial needs is essential to our quality of life.
I obtained my Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Master of Social work at the University of Oklahoma. I graduated with my Bachelor of Social work at East Central University and have been a licensed clinical social worker since 2007. My previous experience includes providing psychosocial treatment and bereavement care to patients and families on Hospice care, as well as internships working in acute and skilled nursing units.
Cynthia L. Zorn-Pettigrew, MSW, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” - William James
Your decision to seek assistance in dealing with life’s current challenges is to be commended. It is my goal to provide a confidential and supportive therapeutic environment in which you are able to activate the skills needed to enhance the quality of your life.
I have over 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field, and have worked in outpatient mental health, residential treatment, schools, and alcoholism/substance abuse treatment settings. My client population consists of children, adolescents, adults, couples, and groups. Their presenting concerns include issues related to depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, phobias, trauma, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, coping, anger management, social skills, problem-solving, and self-exploration.
My style of therapy is to appreciate the uniqueness of each individual and to work together in establishing treatment goals and achieving them. I use a variety of theoretical approaches tailored to meet your specific therapeutic needs.
Emmanuel Roy Smith, Sr., BBA, LLB, MA, Resident In Counseling
To live, is to face the constant challenges drawn from the vicissitudes of life. We can overcome those challenges if our hope is grounded in our own courage, abilities, and desires; to be able to recognize, accept, cope, and meet the associated circumstances. I believe that empowerment and encouragement through the use of counseling strategies can help promote and build positive life skills to help improve interpersonal relationships, reduce stress, and decrease intensity and frequency of angry feelings. My passion for counseling is to help create positive change or adjustments for each individual that I counsel. I apply a variety of counseling strategies and approaches, and believe in their situational application.
I have extensive experience working with adults, children and families, especially those struggling with: depression, social issues, grief, relationships, conflict resolutions, anger management, anxieties, spiritual concerns, post-traumatic stress disorder, parenting concerns, divorce and separation. I strongly believe in serving humanity, and therefore, it is my conviction that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy life with dignity despite the circumstance.
I am a graduate of Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia with a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology. I also completed Practicum and Internship programs at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS), in Alexandria, VA, and the Institute of Behavioral Research and Change (IBRC) in DC,working exclusively with individuals with mental illnesses. I also bring to this profession, my past and present experiences and knowledge of a Lawyer, Academic Administrator, and an ardent Christian, who supports religious co-existence.
I have worked in various organizations and settings providing direct support, service coordination, and therapeutic counseling to individuals with mental illnesses as well as intellectual disabilities for over fifteen years. Currently, I provide therapeutic counseling at the REACH Therapeutic Center as a Counselor, and a Therapist/Clinician providing office and home-based psychotherapy with the Inner City Family Services in DC.I am excited to be part of Benjamin Counseling Center to help “foster a supportive therapeutic environment for children, adolescents and adults to feel empowered and encouraged in life”.
To live, is to face the constant challenges drawn from the vicissitudes of life. We can overcome those challenges if our hope is grounded in our own courage, abilities, and desires; to be able to recognize, accept, cope, and meet the associated circumstances. I believe that empowerment and encouragement through the use of counseling strategies can help promote and build positive life skills to help improve interpersonal relationships, reduce stress, and decrease intensity and frequency of angry feelings. My passion for counseling is to help create positive change or adjustments for each individual that I counsel. I apply a variety of counseling strategies and approaches, and believe in their situational application.
I have extensive experience working with adults, children and families, especially those struggling with: depression, social issues, grief, relationships, conflict resolutions, anger management, anxieties, spiritual concerns, post-traumatic stress disorder, parenting concerns, divorce and separation. I strongly believe in serving humanity, and therefore, it is my conviction that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy life with dignity despite the circumstance.
I am a graduate of Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia with a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology. I also completed Practicum and Internship programs at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS), in Alexandria, VA, and the Institute of Behavioral Research and Change (IBRC) in DC,working exclusively with individuals with mental illnesses. I also bring to this profession, my past and present experiences and knowledge of a Lawyer, Academic Administrator, and an ardent Christian, who supports religious co-existence.
I have worked in various organizations and settings providing direct support, service coordination, and therapeutic counseling to individuals with mental illnesses as well as intellectual disabilities for over fifteen years. Currently, I provide therapeutic counseling at the REACH Therapeutic Center as a Counselor, and a Therapist/Clinician providing office and home-based psychotherapy with the Inner City Family Services in DC.I am excited to be part of Benjamin Counseling Center to help “foster a supportive therapeutic environment for children, adolescents and adults to feel empowered and encouraged in life”.
Catric W. Marshall, MS, Resident In Counseling
”The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, and your vision…” Neil Gaiman
Making the decision to seek help is the first step to realizing that you have the power and choice to create the life you desire. Life has its ups and downs; work can be stressful, raising children is challenging, relationships change, and loved ones may pass away. All of these challenges can have an intense impact of your mood, thoughts, relationships, and motivation to participate in daily activities. Counseling provides a safe place for healing, learning, and understanding. It is my passion to view life from your eyes and assist you in overcoming whatever obstacle(s) your dealing with.
I believe in a holistic, collaborative approach to counseling. My style of therapy is to work together to establish treatment goals and achieve them. Some of the presenting concerns of my clients include issues related to: ADD/ADHD, anger management, anxiety, bipolar disorder, boundaries, coping, depression, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder, perfectionism, phase of life change, problem-solving, self-exploration, social skills, and stress. My clients are women and couples seeking to create balance, identify strengths, and create a healthy self-perception and perspective. Together, we will work to improve your relationships, communication, and overall quality of life.
As a Resident in Counseling, I am pursuing state licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am a graduate of Capella University with a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. I completed a 700 hour practicum and internship at Benjamin Counseling Center. I have worked with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, and couples. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from American Public University System (APUS). I also bring to this profession, my past and current knowledge and experience of being a truancy officer, testing coordinator, health department supervisor, and career and education advisor. I am also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). I have worked in various government and private sector organizations and settings. I look forward to partnering with you to move forward!
”The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, and your vision…” Neil Gaiman
Making the decision to seek help is the first step to realizing that you have the power and choice to create the life you desire. Life has its ups and downs; work can be stressful, raising children is challenging, relationships change, and loved ones may pass away. All of these challenges can have an intense impact of your mood, thoughts, relationships, and motivation to participate in daily activities. Counseling provides a safe place for healing, learning, and understanding. It is my passion to view life from your eyes and assist you in overcoming whatever obstacle(s) your dealing with.
I believe in a holistic, collaborative approach to counseling. My style of therapy is to work together to establish treatment goals and achieve them. Some of the presenting concerns of my clients include issues related to: ADD/ADHD, anger management, anxiety, bipolar disorder, boundaries, coping, depression, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder, perfectionism, phase of life change, problem-solving, self-exploration, social skills, and stress. My clients are women and couples seeking to create balance, identify strengths, and create a healthy self-perception and perspective. Together, we will work to improve your relationships, communication, and overall quality of life.
As a Resident in Counseling, I am pursuing state licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am a graduate of Capella University with a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. I completed a 700 hour practicum and internship at Benjamin Counseling Center. I have worked with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, and couples. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from American Public University System (APUS). I also bring to this profession, my past and current knowledge and experience of being a truancy officer, testing coordinator, health department supervisor, and career and education advisor. I am also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). I have worked in various government and private sector organizations and settings. I look forward to partnering with you to move forward!
Linda Geel, MA, Graduate Counseling Intern
I have often heard that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. That’s the conundrum where counseling can help – learning how to make the most of the 90%. I love to work with people to them become resilient in the tough 10%. With relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and bad choices that have left us feeling inadequate at best, we all need a listening ear, positivity, and guided truth.
I work with individuals to help them develop positive goals and achievable success, to restore a sense of hope while working towards genuine change and a renewed confidence about life.
I have a Master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University, with many years of teaching and listening with a variety of age groups. My favorite part of life is coming alongside those who need help. To this end, I am currently completing an internship for my Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, specializing in struggles that are most common for women and relationships, including communication and conflict resolution. I have more than 15 years as a lay counselor in a faith-based setting as well as an international speaker on marriage and family issues through CRU, with experience in military populations, multi-cultural issues, parenting, and communication skills. My coursework has covered individual counseling, marriage and family issues, career guidance, group counseling, addictions, and gerontology.
I am honored to participate with the Benjamin Counseling Center team as a collaborative counselor, with the goal of helping people to be overcomers --making the best choices for their 90%, while focusing on healthy relationships and communication.
I have often heard that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. That’s the conundrum where counseling can help – learning how to make the most of the 90%. I love to work with people to them become resilient in the tough 10%. With relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and bad choices that have left us feeling inadequate at best, we all need a listening ear, positivity, and guided truth.
I work with individuals to help them develop positive goals and achievable success, to restore a sense of hope while working towards genuine change and a renewed confidence about life.
I have a Master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University, with many years of teaching and listening with a variety of age groups. My favorite part of life is coming alongside those who need help. To this end, I am currently completing an internship for my Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, specializing in struggles that are most common for women and relationships, including communication and conflict resolution. I have more than 15 years as a lay counselor in a faith-based setting as well as an international speaker on marriage and family issues through CRU, with experience in military populations, multi-cultural issues, parenting, and communication skills. My coursework has covered individual counseling, marriage and family issues, career guidance, group counseling, addictions, and gerontology.
I am honored to participate with the Benjamin Counseling Center team as a collaborative counselor, with the goal of helping people to be overcomers --making the best choices for their 90%, while focusing on healthy relationships and communication.
Richard Geel, MA, Graduate Counseling Intern
Are you feeling off balance? Something isn’t right in your life right now? I know that feeling of needing someone I could trust to discuss hard things and ideas, someone who would listen to me.
I may be that person for you. My wealth of experience in various stages of life, will give you a confidential platform that you can hear yourself, and safely work through issues that are plaguing you.
Currently, I am a graduate student in the professional counseling program at Liberty University. I have years of experience in several different arenas, from a military career, to business owner, to Master’s degree in computers, and now to counseling. I have presented at marriage conferences domestically and overseas, giving a sounding board to those in marital crisis, and I have a thorough knowledge of diverse cultures. Living in the Washington area gives me extra experience with cultures from all over the world.
Working with people one-on-one and genuinely talking about issues in family, marriage, and the workplace is the best way to get to the heart level where people really operate. I am pleased to be interning with the Benjamin Counseling Center team of professional counselors; with the goal of helping clients reach their maximum potential in life.
Are you feeling off balance? Something isn’t right in your life right now? I know that feeling of needing someone I could trust to discuss hard things and ideas, someone who would listen to me.
I may be that person for you. My wealth of experience in various stages of life, will give you a confidential platform that you can hear yourself, and safely work through issues that are plaguing you.
Currently, I am a graduate student in the professional counseling program at Liberty University. I have years of experience in several different arenas, from a military career, to business owner, to Master’s degree in computers, and now to counseling. I have presented at marriage conferences domestically and overseas, giving a sounding board to those in marital crisis, and I have a thorough knowledge of diverse cultures. Living in the Washington area gives me extra experience with cultures from all over the world.
Working with people one-on-one and genuinely talking about issues in family, marriage, and the workplace is the best way to get to the heart level where people really operate. I am pleased to be interning with the Benjamin Counseling Center team of professional counselors; with the goal of helping clients reach their maximum potential in life.
Pamela Ambrose, BS, Graduate Counseling Intern
Everyone can use a little help and support in handling life’s problems. Talking with a counselor can help you deal with life stressors, such as negative thoughts, challenging relationships, and depressive moods. Seeking professional can help you receive the feedback and insight how you perceive others and yourself.
Currently, I am enrolled as a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Program at Capella University. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Delta State University (Cleveland, MS) in 2003. My undergraduate courses at Delta State University provided me with a strong foundation in justice, law, ethics, and criminology theory. Furthermore, in order to strengthen my academic understanding of the legal system, I took other courses such as family violence, sex crimes, juvenile justice, and psychology in the criminal justice system.
Presently, I have completed my graduate coursework, and I am working on finishing my clinical hours for my internship in order to graduate and pursue my counseling license. The graduate courses at Capella provided me with a strong basis in Assessment, Test and Measures, Theories of personality, Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy, Principles of Psychopathology and Diagnosis, Sexual Issues in Couples and Family Therapy, and Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling. In my professional career, I was previously employed as a Teacher Assistant/Substitute Teacher for Prince William County school district in which I assisted in working with Special Education-ED students. I primarily aided students with identified conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, and Autism Spectrum disorder.
Overall, Counseling can also be used as a tool for overcoming a variety of issues, and other debilitating circumstances. Regardless of your initial reason for seeking counseling, learning how to cope with life’s endless trials and challenges is key to a healthy and functional way of life. I look forward to working with you at Benjamin Counseling Center.
Everyone can use a little help and support in handling life’s problems. Talking with a counselor can help you deal with life stressors, such as negative thoughts, challenging relationships, and depressive moods. Seeking professional can help you receive the feedback and insight how you perceive others and yourself.
Currently, I am enrolled as a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Program at Capella University. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Delta State University (Cleveland, MS) in 2003. My undergraduate courses at Delta State University provided me with a strong foundation in justice, law, ethics, and criminology theory. Furthermore, in order to strengthen my academic understanding of the legal system, I took other courses such as family violence, sex crimes, juvenile justice, and psychology in the criminal justice system.
Presently, I have completed my graduate coursework, and I am working on finishing my clinical hours for my internship in order to graduate and pursue my counseling license. The graduate courses at Capella provided me with a strong basis in Assessment, Test and Measures, Theories of personality, Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy, Principles of Psychopathology and Diagnosis, Sexual Issues in Couples and Family Therapy, and Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling. In my professional career, I was previously employed as a Teacher Assistant/Substitute Teacher for Prince William County school district in which I assisted in working with Special Education-ED students. I primarily aided students with identified conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, and Autism Spectrum disorder.
Overall, Counseling can also be used as a tool for overcoming a variety of issues, and other debilitating circumstances. Regardless of your initial reason for seeking counseling, learning how to cope with life’s endless trials and challenges is key to a healthy and functional way of life. I look forward to working with you at Benjamin Counseling Center.