trauma-informed mental health and wellness
Meet Our Connected Wellness Providers
Kim Small, LPC
Kim Small, LPC: Co-Founder
Kim Small (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and an EMDR trained clinician by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Kim is also a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, as well as, a Certified Integrative Medicine and Nutrition for Trauma Treatment Provider. Additionally, she is a registered Supervisor with the Virginia Board of Counseling. After completing undergraduate studies at Belmont University, Kim earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. In addition to working as a practitioner in private practice for over 10 years, Kim has worked in a variety of inpatient settings.
Kim finds Western Medicine’s approach to emotional, mental, and physical health fragmented. She believes the brain, body, heart, and spirit are intimately connected. As such, Kim believes people find freedom from the distressing symptoms that bring them to counseling as all aspects of personhood are considered. Personally, Kim’s integrative approach strengthened following the diagnosis of a chronic illness. In pursuit of her healing, she developed a deeper understanding of the importance of addressing the mind-body connection.
Kim primarily works with individuals recovering from Complex Trauma. Over time, she has established a focus on working with Survivors of sexual, spiritual, narcissistic abuse and unhealthy family systems. Defining trauma as a “wound,” she also believes everyone has experienced trauma in their lives, whether acute or long-standing. Kim finds a client’s presenting symptoms and stuck patterns are outdated coping mechanisms, unconsciously and naturally developed as a source of survival.
Kim takes a trauma-informed, integrative approach in her therapeutic practice. She employs an eclectic array of theories and treatment modalities, utilizing methods from EMDR, and ego state work, such as Internal Family Systems, somatic processing, and Psychodynamic Theory to assist her clients in their journey toward health and healing. Drawing from Interpersonal Process Theory, Kim also understands that the therapeutic relationship is a core ingredient in the process of change.
Kim founded Connected Wellness Group because she recognized a gap in Hampton Roads concerning the treatment of mental health. Kim desires to build a place in the community where people can easily access integrative, (w)holistic, trauma-informed care. As well as a place where they will learn to embrace their true, authentic selves. When not in the office, Kim enjoys travel, podcasts, baking cakes, and long walks through Norfolk.
Rachel Harner, LPC: Co-Founder
Rachel Harner (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, an EMDR trained clinician by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), a registered Supervisor with the Virginia Board of Counseling, a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, and Meditation Practitioner. Rachel completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and her Master’s degree in Counseling at Regent University. Rachel is listed in the Reclamation Collective directory for therapists working with religious and spiritual trauma.
Rachel works with clients who have experienced trauma in religious institutions (cults, high demand religious groups, LDS, Evangelical/Protestant Christianity, and Eastern religious traditions) as well as sexual abuse and assault, relationship stressors, and abusive family systems. Her experience treating clients with Complex PTSD and ego state fragmentation has lead her to engage in treatment from the viewpoint that old coping mechanisms, once used for survival, may no longer be working or may be hindering growth in the now.
Rachel spent almost a decade in solo private practice before founding Connected Wellness Group. She utilizes Psychodynamic theories, ego state concepts, EMDR, mindfulness, and somatic processing in her counseling practice. Rachel views the role of the therapist as assisting clients in processing, making sense of, and grieving their experiences while empowering agency to create a new story.
Rachel believes challenging life experiences and perceptions may result in disconnecting from ourselves (our bodies, our values, our needs), our spirituality, our relationships, and our communities. Healing means reestablishing congruence, wholeness, and connection.
Rachel founded Connected Wellness Group with the goal of establishing a space where trauma is treated from a whole-person perspective under one roof, engaging the mind and the body. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys documentaries, travel (with many wild stories), live music, being outside with her family, yoga, and eating pasta.
Rachel Harner, LPC
Melanie Phillips, LCSW
Melanie Phillips, LCSW
Melanie Phillips (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Melanie earned her undergraduate degree and Master’s degree in Social Work at Salisbury University and is a registered Clinical Supervisor with the Virginia Board of Social Work.
Melanie has been in practice for over a decade in residential treatment, hospitals, crisis and outpatient settings. She works with individuals who are recovering from trauma or other distressing life experiences as well as those experiencing anxiety, depression, or are adjusting to life’s many changes. Melanie is honored to journey with clients as they explore and heal from their past, tackle present challenges, and pursue healthier futures.
Melanie uses EMDR, DBT, and Psychodynamic Therapy for a variety of issues, including: trauma and complex PTSD, sexual abuse and assault, emotional abuse, family conflict, depression, anxiety, relational stress, self-esteem, parenting, and life transitions. She offers a collaborative, compassionate, strengths-based approach- valuing a person’s voice and agency.
Melanie believes in the power of connection and strives to create a welcoming, supportive, validating, and safe environment to promote health, healing, and growth. Melanie enjoys travel, spending time with and being silly with her family, and finding good deals when shopping. Melanie likes cooking and is (very) newly enthusiastic about exercise.
Isabelle Martin, LCSW
Isabelle Martin (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with Old Dominion University, as well as her Masters in Clinical Social Work through Virginia Common Wealth University.
Isabelle practices as an EMDR trained clinician through EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). She specializes in working with symptoms related to complex childhood trauma, relational difficulties, and attachment related concerns. She additionally has experience working alongside those who may be experiencing symptoms related to anxiety and depression. Isabelle’s therapeutic approach is informed by psychodynamic theory. She additionally utilizes Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Isabelle has also received extensive training in Internal Family Systems Therapy through EMDRIA. Isabelle additionally incorporates Ego State Therapy and the Structural Dissociation model within the therapeutic process.
Isabelle’s clinical experience has contributed to the understanding that the self is a complex system informed by survival and the intention to make sense of complex and deeply disruptive life experiences. The therapeutic journey with Isabelle involves learning to approach the self and the events experienced with curiosity and compassion in order to facilitate greater clarity, connectedness, and empowerment.
Outside of the therapeutic space, Isabelle loves to go for runs with her pup. She also enjoys hiking and back-country camping, reading, baking, or playing the piano.
Isabelle Martin, LCSW
Jennifer Pope, LCSW
Jennifer Pope, LCSW
Jennifer Pope (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech, and her Master’s in Social Work from SUNY Albany.
Jennifer practices as an EMDR-trained clinician through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) with full certification expected in spring 2024. She specializes in the treatment of Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, DID, complex and childhood trauma, and Eating Disorders. In addition to EMDR, Jennifer utilizes Trauma-responsive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Unyte-iLS Safe and Sound Protocol to support her clients’ relief from past trauma, attachment style, anxiety, and depression. Jennifer is additionally a NASW-approved clinical supervisor.
Outside of the therapeutic space, Jennifer loves dogs, cooking, running and going to concerts with her family.
Jessica Seaburg, Resident in Counseling
Jessica Seaburg (she/her) is a resident in counseling currently pursuing her LPC in Virginia. She is a graduate from Old Dominion University with a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelors in Psychology.
Jessica’s primary focus is working with those experiencing sexual, relational, and racial crisis and trauma. She utilizes skills of trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and Relational-cultural theory (RCT) to help clients identify and modify their habits, increase their tolerance to distress, and create more awareness of the complex nature of relationships in their life.
As a registered yoga teacher, Jessica prioritizes the importance of a holistic approach to creating balance in life and often helps clients regulate their nervous system through breathing exercises, movement, and meditation. Jessica utilizes somatic processing concepts in her counseling practice, helping clients to identify where and how they hold emotions and experiences in their bodies.
Jessica is completed education in couples counseling and sex therapy through the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute to help those experiencing low-sex relationships, infidelity, shame, exploring cultural and gender roles, redefining monogamy, body-image issues, trauma, and sexual dysfunction.
Jessica Seaburg, Resident in Counseling
Tiffany Rodriguez, LMT
Tiffany Rodriguez, LMT— Massage provider
Needing an outlet from the stress of corporate sales, Tiffany (she/her) began receiving regular massages and was immediately drawn to the physical effects it had on her well-being. Soon after she enrolled in Advanced Fuller School of Massage in Virginia Beach, VA and received her licensure in 2018.
Her belief is that we are all interconnected and dependent upon each other for healing our bodies and minds; therapeutic touch was the initial spark for her. She approaches her work with a trauma-informed mindfulness, combining Swedish, deep tissue and myofascial release techniques. Tiffany has additional certification in bodywork for depression and anxiety.
Tiffany is from the Hampton Roads area and currently resides in Norfolk with her partner Stephan and their cat Terra. Long distance hiking and gardening are a few of the hobbies she enjoys, she recently returned from backpacking 1,900 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail.
To Schedule a massage with Tiffany, click:
Calie Garrett- Yoga, Meditation, and Coaching
Calie Garrett (she/her) is a a certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), registered with Yoga Alliance, and a Certified Life Coach through the Certified Life Coach Institute (ICF). Prior to life coaching and yoga, Calie spent well over a decade in non-profit leadership and team development, and has taught high school as a licensed special education teacher for the last 6 years.
Calie currently teaches at Norview where she also coaches volleyball and provides yoga for student athletes. Originally from Virginia Beach, Calie graduated from the University of Virginia. In her spare time, Calie is a singer/songwriter, consistently writing, recording, and performing music around town. Calie is passionate about helping those around her find beauty, hope, and purpose for their life journey.
To schedule yoga with Calie, click:
Calie Garrett, RYT 200 and Life Coach
Meet Connected Wellness Group’s Preferred Providers:
Dr. Amanda Leuthardt, DACM, L.Ac— Preferred Provider at Thrive Acupuncture
Dr. Amanda Leuthardt, DACM, L.Ac (she/her) is a licensed acupuncturist who was introduced to the life-changing benefits of Chinese Medicine in her yearly 20’s after years of debilitating digestive issues. Having tried every Western medical treatment to no avail, Amanda sought out another way. She was referred to a Chinese herbal practitioner, who in only six months turned Amanda’s health around in ways she never thought possible. This experience only fueled her desire to practice alternative medicine, even more, giving her direction and passion.
Amanda holds an AAS in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (Kaplan), a Bachelors in Nutrition/ Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine( Midwest College of Oriental Medicine), and a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (Pacific College of Health and Science). Amanda is a Dipl of Acupuncture with NCCAOM and holds a current Virginia state acupuncture license.
Amanda brings is over 15 years of experience in holistic health which has enhanced her natural ability to see the whole you. She is trained to identify patterns, think outside of the box, and problem-solve in complex multilayered situations. What she values most about her work is always showing up with the patient’s best interests at the forefront of every treatment. Together, patients will gain a partner in health to achieve their health and wellness goals in a safe and trusted space, fostering to their needs.
To schedule with Amanda, please contact Thrive Acupuncture & Wellness at 757-222-2299 or visit thrive-acu.com. Please mention you are being referred by Connected Wellness Group.
Amanda Leuthardt, DACM, LAc- Preferred Provider for Acupuncture
Dr. Meghan Karol, DPT- Preferred Provider for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Dr. Meghan Karol, DPT – Preferred Provider at Movement is Medicine Physical Therapy and Sports Performance
Dr. Meghan Karol, DPT (she/her) is a licensed physical therapist offering specialized care in pelvic health. After ten years treating orthopedic, sports medicine and vestibular conditions, Meghan recognized her passion for working with women in their childbearing years and devoted a lot of time and attention furthering her knowledge and specialization in pregnancy, postpartum and women’s pelvic health. As her specialty practice continued to grow, Meghan further developed a passion for treating patients with pelvic pain including pain with physical intimacy, pain with bladder and bowel function, and pain with daily activity.
Meghan highly values one-on-one patient treatment time providing individualized focus with each patient to maximize their success in reaching their health and wellness goals. She emphasizes empowering education to help patients better understand how they can best manage their condition or symptoms long-term, and preventative strategies to reduce new or further symptom aggravation. With three young boys keeping Meghan busy at home, she strives to give her patients simple and practical home exercises or symptom management strategies that fit into their daily lives.
Meghan earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2011 and her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech in 2007.
To schedule with Meghan at Movement is Medicine at 4210 Colley Ave, please contact her at 757-503-5996. Please mention you are being referred by Connected Wellness Group.
trauma-informed mental health and wellness