Thriving Families Counseling, LLC
Thriving Families Counseling, LLC
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    • Home
    • Our Counseling Center
    • Our Counselors
    • Our Therapy Dogs
    • Treatment
    • Contact Us
    • Forms
    • Careers
  • Home
  • Our Counseling Center
  • Our Counselors
  • Our Therapy Dogs
  • Treatment
  • Contact Us
  • Forms
  • Careers

Meet Our Counselors

Susan Owen, LCSW, SEP, RPT-S

Renata Huewitt, LPC, RPT, EMDR Certified Therapist

Susan Owen, LCSW, SEP, RPT-S

I consider it an honor to assist you through your process of becoming conscious of and utilizing your strengths, integrating the aspects of yourself, and discovering and revering your true Self. My goal is to provide support, encouragement, compassion, and unconditional positive regard to adults, children, adolescents, and families while guiding them to find their inner resources and true Selves so that they may heal, grow, and learn to thrive in life.  

Specialties include:  trauma resolution, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, self-care, mindfulness/spirituality, substance abuse, stress, family problems, parenting issues, child/adolescent behavioral problems, foster care/attachment issues, grief/loss, and relationship issues. 

I am trained in Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, Gestalt therapy, and Jungian Sandplay and dreamwork.  I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, a Pathwork Teacher and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.  I received my Masters Degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin.

Melanie Tate, LCSW, C-DBT

Renata Huewitt, LPC, RPT, EMDR Certified Therapist

Susan Owen, LCSW, SEP, RPT-S

I believe that during difficult times, or just for personal exploration, it is helpful to have a caring professional with whom to reflect and learn. The focus of my work is with adolescents and adults with any of the following:  

Stress/Struggling through the stages of life,

Mood disorders (anxiety or depression),

co-occurring disorders, 

substance use disorders,

adult survivors,

trauma survivors (domestic and sexual violence)

 and individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. 

I use a client-centered, trauma-informed, mindfulness approach with individuals and in a group setting. I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and am currently working on my certification.  I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  I received my Masters Degree in Social Work from George Mason University. 

Renata Huewitt, LPC, RPT, EMDR Certified Therapist

Renata Huewitt, LPC, RPT, EMDR Certified Therapist

Renata Huewitt, LPC, RPT, EMDR Certified Therapist

**TELEHEALTH ONLY**

I believe that clients are the experts of their lives and I strive to help use creative therapeutic avenues to create a space to help them meet their goals. I have experience helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families address emotional and behavioral needs including anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger management, mood disorders, social and school issues, military related issues, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and family conflict. I provide trauma-informed care and utilize a variety of approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, Child Centered Play Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couple and Family Therapy, Family Centered Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Expressive Arts Therapy, and Mindfulness to help build resiliency and increase protective factors to improve individuals’ overall functioning.  I have various skills and training to include EMDR, Trauma and Play Therapy, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Youth Resiliency training, Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Treatment Training, and Suicide Intervention Training. I am a Registered Play Therapist through the Association of Play Therapy and a Certified EMDR Therapist through the EMDR International Association. I am also a Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) provider. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. I believe counseling can be a fun and empowering journey and am excited to help facilitate that with others!


Ce-Anna Reed, LPC, EMDR Certified Therapist

Ce-Anna Reed, LPC, EMDR Certified Therapist

Renata Huewitt, LPC, RPT, EMDR Certified Therapist

I believe that every person can create their best environment and their best self. I can help accomplish this by listening, supporting and giving each person the opportunity to process their experiences. Life is full of ups and downs that can be difficult to understand and I am here to help to make the most of what life gives us. 

My approach to therapy is solution-focused, person-centered and trauma informed with an emphasis on mindfulness. I have experience working with adults who are diagnosed with substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, personality disorders, depression and anxiety. 

I have received training in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I have extensive history working with individuals who are involved with the criminal justice system, including, working with first responders. 

My goal is to help you identify your strengths and use them to create balance throughout your life by setting healthy boundaries, improving communication and making healthy self-activities be a part of your everyday life. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and received my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. 

Lorin Walker, LPC

Ce-Anna Reed, LPC, EMDR Certified Therapist

Dana Broach Lee LPC

I have had several clients over the years say, “Everyone should go to counseling!” 

I agree!  We all have different stressors, wounds, and events we face throughout our lives and very rarely have a place to process. That is what I provide; a nurturing and calm environment to give you space to process what is going on around you and, ultimately, inside you. My specialty areas include working with women struggling with anxiety, burnout/exhaustion, not knowing what is wrong, and grief. My intention is to help you develop a lifestyle you desire, set boundaries to help you thrive in your relationships, and develop coping skills for stress and anger. I use a collaborative approach in which you are the expert on yourself, the one doing the work of healing and growing, I am the helper. 

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Roanoke College as well as a Master of Science in Psychology from Radford University. I have been licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to practice counseling since 2007. 

Dana Broach Lee LPC

Ce-Anna Reed, LPC, EMDR Certified Therapist

Dana Broach Lee LPC

It is my goal to support young people in re-connecting to their natural state of wholeness and joy through a collaborative and integrative therapy approach. I work to create safe space for addressing the challenges of being young and the hard work of growing up. No matter how much love and support we experience, life can get difficult and problems can arise. I specialize in work with clients who are coping with loss and change, anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, behavioral challenges, lowered self-esteem, and school struggles.  I believe that young people can make amazing discoveries about themselves when given the time and space to focus on healing. Clients of diverse backgrounds are actively welcomed to therapy.   

I utilize Person-Centered Counseling, Cognitive and Mindfulness practices, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Integrative Play Therapy, Positive Discipline techniques, and Art-Based Therapy. I have over 150 hours of play therapy specific training.  I have special training in Adoption Competency(TAC) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).  I received my Safe Space LGBTQ Ally Training through ODU in 2021. 

I earned my Masters degree in Counseling and Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA where I centered my studies in holistic and expressive therapies. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and have worked with children, teens, and young adults in various school and mental health settings since 2003.

Summer Wimmer, LCSW

Kristen Flanders, MSW

Kristen Flanders, MSW

I strive to provide a compassionate, supportive and calming environment that encourages healing. I believe the clients I work with are experts on their own lives and have strengths within them that will assist in their own personal growth. I utilize a variety of trauma-informed therapy approaches to meet individual needs including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Mindfulness. I am passionate about helping individuals address therapeutic needs including childhood and adult trauma, stress due to change and life adjustments, substance use, anxiety, and depression. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Longwood University and Master of Social Work Degree from Radford University. 

Kristen Flanders, MSW

Kristen Flanders, MSW

Kristen Flanders, MSW

I believe in providing a caring, comfortable and supportive environment to nurture growth and understanding that allows for both processing as well as healing. I enjoy working with adolescents, adults and families’ to explore personal strengths, learn effective coping skills, process stressors and find solutions to life’s challenges. 

I hope to accompany you on a healing journey toward developing healthy relationships, self-acceptance and emotional stability. My therapeutic approach aligns with Solution Focused Therapy while also utilizing aspects of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Somatic Work, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness techniques. My areas of interest include stress management, ADD, adult and child trauma, adjustment issues, PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and LGBTQ counseling. My passion is working to connect intense emotions to unresolved conflict while working with the body to heal. 

I have a Clinical Psychology Master’s degree from Radford University and I also have a Master of Social Work from Radford University. I am currently a Clinical Social Work Supervisee under the supervision of Susan Owen, LCSW.

Samantha Heckman, MSW

Kristen Flanders, MSW

Samantha Heckman, MSW

I am passionate about helping my clients realize their full potential. My goal is to always provide a calm and warm counseling environment for those to feel supported in. I have experience working with children and adolescents in the child welfare system, adults with trauma and daily life stressors, and those who are involved with the criminal justice system to include first responders.  

My areas of interest include child and adult trauma, attachment issues, relationship counseling, depression, anxiety, grief, stress related issues, and personality disorders. In my practice I utilize techniques such as Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Play Therapy.   

My Bachelor's of Science is from Radford University, and my Master's of Social Work is from Lousiana State University. I am currently under the supervision of Susan Owen, LCSW.  I am committed to helping my clients grow and empower themselves as individuals; together we can endeavor for personal advancement.

Sky Carter, MSW

Shannon Riese, MS

Samantha Heckman, MSW

I have always had a keen heart to help those in need. As a therapist I find it imperative to be caring, compassionate, and to have an empathic connection. It is important for me to create a warm space for my clients to move through painful emotions, help them track their progress, and experience positive outcomes. My areas of interest include play therapy, bullying, anger management, career development, depression, relationships, self-image, and stress. 

I spent a great deal of time working with adolescents in the urban community addressing the identified functional problems associated with the complex conditions of society and each individual and family. Working with troubled adolescents I was able to increase the individual's ability to cope and relate to others, support and sustain recovery, and enhance the child's capacity to function in their lives. I utilize techniques such as Solution-Focused Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Play Therapy. 

My Bachelors of Social Work is from Virginia Union University, and my Masters of Social Work is from Radford University. I am currently under the supervision of Susan Owen, LCSW.

"You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone"

Kara Jones, M.Ed

Shannon Riese, MS

Shannon Riese, MS

Difficult life experiences often make us feel powerless, overwhelmed, and like our voice was taken from us. My goal is to help you find your voice and to empower you to make changes to reach your therapeutic goals as I support you with compassion, empathy and non-judgment. First and foremost, I strive to make my clients feel seen, heard, and accepted.  

I graduated in 2022 with my Master’s in Counselor Education from Virginia Tech. I My therapeutic approach aligns with Person-Centered Theory and Feminist Theory, and I utilize trauma-informed techniques from a variety of approaches including EMDR, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and CBT. My areas of interest include working with trauma and PTSD, attachment, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ populations, women’s issues, adjustment issues and life transitions in adolescents and adults. I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) resident under the supervision of Renata Huewitt. 

Shannon Riese, MS

Shannon Riese, MS

Shannon Riese, MS

I am glad you have taken the important step to reach out.  I am honored to help you process through whatever your challenges are in life right now. 

I work with individuals, couples, and families. Although I work with all ages, I especially love working with children and play therapy. My specializations include, trauma, anxiety, depression, autism, and grief.  In addition, I have a “calling” to help those who are seeking to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse.
I am a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator and am trained in Trust-Based Relational Interventions. I am a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy and currently under the supervision of Eliana Gil, Ph.D., an expert in play therapy and childhood trauma.

Copyright © 2017 Thriving Families Counseling, LLC - All Rights Reserved.          

   Phone:(540) 988-3108            

Fax:  (855) 515-5360



1719 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke, VA