meet Our staff
Service Location: Newport News office
Lance attended Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University receiving his Masters in Clinical Social Work in 1998. He has worked in the mental health field since 1993. Lance was instrumental in helping A.C.T. start it’s practice in 1998 and he took over sole ownership on January 1, 2017 after his therapist parents retired. Lance primarily utilizes a cognitive behavioral therapy model with an enthusiastic and energetic approach. In addition to providing counseling services, Lance owns Wright Choices, Inc., a supported employment agency that provides job coaching services to persons with disabilities.
Clients ages:
Adolescents 15-17, Adults 18+
Type of therapy provided:
Individual therapy, Couples therapy, Family therapy
Specialties:
Career Counseling, Work Stress/Conflict, Marriage/Couples Counseling, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narcissistic Abuse, and Separation/Divorce
Other types of issues he deals with:
Adjustment Disorders, Anger Management, Stress and Anxiety, Adolescent/Adult ADD, Physical/Emotional/Sexual Abuse, Grief and Loss, and Self-esteem.
Merideth received her Masters Degree in Counseling from the College of William and Mary. She has been providing counseling services to adolescents and adults since 2011. Merideth utilizes a person centered approach to work together with her clients to help them identify their needs and use their strengths to resolve current issues and increase overall mental health and well being. Merideth has experience with a variety of mental health issues, substance abuse, and traumas.
Merideth Henderson works in our Virginia Beach office.
Client’s ages:
adolescents 13-17, adults 18+
Type of therapy provided:
Individual therapy, Couples therapy, Family therapy
Specialties:
Adolescent Issues, Anger management, Depression, Relationship/Family Difficulties, Trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Physical/Emotional/Sexual Abuse, Substance Abuse, Mental Illness
Other types of issues she deals with:
Adoption Counseling, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Career Counseling, Women’s Issues, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Eating Disorders, Behavioral problems, Gay/Lesbian Issues, Gender Identity Issues, ADD/ADHD, Domestic Violence, Vocational/Occupational Issues, Separation/Divorce, Men’s Issues, Mindfulness, Mood disorders, Crisis Management, Psychosis, Sexual Issues, Grief, Marriage/Couples Counseling, Self-esteem, Stress, Substance Abuse
Nicole Ellis, LCSW,BCD,CSAC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Nicole received her Bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University. She has been providing mental health services over 16 years, to include crisis intervention, individual, family and group therapy; not limited to psychotherapy and psycho-education groups to adults and adolescents with co-occurring disorders. Nicole’s primary experience is working with the veteran population in outpatient, substance use disorders, and couples counseling. Nicole enjoys working with individuals and families with substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, anger management, couples therapy and trauma.
Nicole Ellis works in our Newport News & Virginia Beach office.
Client’s ages:
adolescents 14-17, adults 18+
Type of therapy provided:
Individual therapy, Couples therapy, Family therapy
Specialties:
Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety, Anger management, Marriage/Couples Counseling, Substance Abuse and Trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Other types of issues she deals with:
Adolescent Issues, Women’s Issues, Relationship/Family Difficulties, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Self-esteem, Adjustment Disorders, Eating Disorders, Behavioral problems, Physical/Emotional/Sexual Abuse, Mental Illness, Gay/Lesbian Issues, Grief, Stress, ADD/ADHD, Vocational/Occupational Issues, Domestic Violence, Separation/Divorce, Men’s Issues, Mood disorders, Crisis Management, Psychosis, Sexual Issues
Joe received his Masters Degree in Education specializing in Community Counseling from The College of William & Mary. He also has a Bachelors Degree in Business from Virginia Tech and prior to working in the mental health field he was President of New-Bell Storage. He has been providing counseling services since 1997. He also served the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services for 6 years helping disabled adults return to the workforce. Joe especially enjoys working with adult individuals and couples, and he has experience helping clients with substance abuse issues, anger management, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment issues.
Joe New works in our Newport News & Virginia Beach office.
Client’s ages:
adolescents 17, adults 18+
Type of therapy provided:
Individual therapy, Couples therapy, Family therapy
Specialties:
Depression, Anxiety, Relationship/Family Difficulties, Grief,
Self-esteem, Stress, Anger Management, Adjustment Disorders
Other types of issues he deals with:
Physical/Emotional/Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, PTSD, Mental Illness,
Personality Disorders, Gay/Lesbian Issues, Trauma, Substance Abuse,
Vocational/Occupational Issues, Domestic Violence, Healing after Infidelity,
Separation/Divorce
Ameka Lee Graham is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ameka’s vision is to help you overcome the daily obstacles and challenges you are facing. We all go through storms in life and sometimes we need someone to help us get beyond those storms. The first step can be the most difficult, allow me to help you. I would like to empower you to reach your personal goals and tap into your own strengths to reach those goals.
Ameka Lee-Graham graduated from the Evelyn Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University with her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2007. She has been working in the field for nine years and truly enjoys empowering others to reach their personal goals and full potential. Ameka is married and has two daughters and a bonus adult son. She resides with her family in Hampton, Virginia.
“I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. I provide an objective assessment of problems related to depression, suicide and self-harm, anxiety, anger, relationships, self-image, conduct and behavioral problems, attention deficit, mood instability, sexual trauma, parent-child relationships, parent education, grief and loss, military and veteran issues.
I am experienced in helping clients define goals and develop individualized treatment plans. I use Cognitive Behavioral and Solution Focused Therapy as my foundational counseling approach. I believe in a holistic and eclectic approach to mental health counseling utilizing the most current best therapeutic practices.”
Shanieka Vinston
Practice Manager
Shanieka is the welcoming voice of helpfulness. She is the first point of contact when calling our office. She schedules all initial appointments and explains insurance benefits. She takes calls for both office however she works in our Newport News office.
Rachone Mitchell
Receptionist
Rachone is the welcoming voice of helpfulness. She is the first point of contact when calling our office. She schedules all initial appointments and explains insurance benefits. She takes calls for both office however she works in our Virginia Beach office.
Jasmine Dhillon
Licensed Professional Counselor
Jasmine graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling. Since then, she has provided counseling services to individuals suffering from a wide range of difficulties. She utilizes a strength-based approach along with cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing. She has worked as an undergraduate research assistant and conducted research on the effects of alcohol and related substances within the college population and also on psychological aggression in sexual minorities. She has also worked closely with older adults in nursing homes and adult day care settings and continues to provide services to this population. She has experience working as an Emergency Services clinician conducting pre-admission screenings to determine the level of care needed for clients in psychological distress and crisis situations. Jasmine is able to provide services to clients experiencing suicide and homicide ideations and is aware of the necessary resources and interventions to assist clients in crisis. She also has exposure with the treatment of substance use disorders as well as providing outpatient counseling through the medical model working at a local health clinic. Jasmine specializes in counseling children and adolescents with related issues of ADHD, behavioral issues, impulse control issues, depression, and anxiety. She also specializes in working with individuals with Depression, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, Grief Related Issues, Domestic Violence Issues, Self-esteem Issues, Relationship issues. Jasmine works with older adults, women who are victims of abuse, children and adolescents, couples, and families.