CEREBRAL COUNSELING AND CONSULTING
virtual mental health therapy in northern Virginia
CONSULTANT. ADVOCATE. THERAPIST. EDUCATOR
“A good life is a process- not a state of being” Carl Rogers.
Hi! I’m Shealyn
​
I believe therapy is a collaborative, intentional process between the client and therapist—one where we work together to set realistic, measurable, and meaningful goals. If you’ve found your way here, you’ve already taken the first courageous step toward change and self-awareness. And that’s powerful.
​
As a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming virtual therapist in Virginia, I ground my work in the belief that the mind-body connection is essential to both mental and physical health. Outside of therapy sessions, you’ll often find me nurturing that connection—spending time with my husband, our children, chickens, and dogs, or recharging through gardening, reading, traveling, and catching live music. I’m a big fan of college basketball, cold brew coffee, and solid porch swings.
​
Before launching Cerebral Counseling & Consulting, I spent years working in the neuroscience and mental health field, specializing in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodivergent conditions. That path led me back to graduate school to earn my MSW and clinical license so I could provide direct support through virtual therapy services.
​
Then life came full circle—I became a parent to neurodivergent children. My professional training met lived experience in the most personal way possible. And with that, a deeper mission was born: to create a practice that helps individuals and families make sense of diagnoses that often raise more questions than answers. At Cerebral Counseling & Consulting, I aim to support that discovery process with empathy, evidence-based care, and a fierce belief that your story matters.
​
When it comes to your mental health and overall well-being, it’s important to have a knowledgeable, compassionate professional you can turn to. As a trauma-informed virtual therapist based in Virginia, I’ve had the privilege of supporting clients from diverse backgrounds through a wide range of emotional, neurological, and life challenges.
​
I hold a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience from George Mason University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Widener University, where I also earned a Certificate in Treating Trauma. My career has been rooted in understanding how the brain and body shape emotional health, and I bring that lens into every therapy session. A behaviorist by nature, I provide goal-directed, solution-focused care using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—always tailored to each client’s unique experience.
​
Throughout my journey as a mental health provider, I’ve worked across a range of clinical settings: federal agencies, group homes, play therapy, group therapy, intensive in-home services, and telemental health platforms. My early roles as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) and Therapeutic Staff Support professional gave me firsthand experience working with neurodivergent children and their families. I later continued this work at the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, where I supported military families by advocating for and educating caregivers about the impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) on service members.
​
As a Northern Virginia native, a spouse of a U.S. veteran, and a mom to neurodivergent kids, I bring both professional insight and personal understanding to the therapeutic space. My goal is to provide accessible, affirming virtual therapy for individuals and families—and to help others navigate their own mental health journey with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
​​
Specialties in virtual mental health:​
-
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
-
​(TF-CBT)
-
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
-
​Therapy for trauma survivors
-
-
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support
-
Individuals and caregivers affected by brain injury
-
-
Chronic Illness & Mental Health
-
​Emotional support for chronic medical conditions​​
-
​
Individual Virtual Therapy
Teens & Adults (Ages 15+):
-
Anxiety Treatment:
-
​Coping tools social anxiety, generalized anxiety, & panic
-
-
Depression Support:
-
Support for teens and adults experiencing low mood
-
-
Life Transitions:
-
Therapy for grief, divorce, career change, identity shifts
-
-
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy:
-
Specialized support for neurologically diverse individuals
-
​​
Parental Education and Family Support
-
ADHD Parenting and Mangement Strategies
-
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
-
Learning Differences:
-
Dyslexia, dysgraphia, executive functioning challenges
-
-
Caregiver Support:
-
​Guidance for parents, guardians and family caregivers.
-
​
​
TREATMENT STYLE AND METHODS:
-
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
-
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
-
Behavioral Therapy
-
Attachment Therapy/Boundary Recognition
-
Humanistic Therapy
-
Interpersonal Neurobiology