We at Play Therapy Essentially, PLLC believe in each person’s ability to change and improve their situations through the power that comes from recognizing and identifying their positive character traits. We work collaboratively with each client to assist them in reaching their goals and to help them achieve positive outcomes. There are no “cookie-cutter” interventions because each person is different. We want to empower individuals to make choices in their progress and to enhance each person’s strengths and unique abilities that will promote success.
Mission
Utilizing a strength-based approach to incorporate evidenced-based practices such as play therapy across the life span to address such issues as relationship conflict, family stressors, mood disorders and trauma.
Meet The Clincians
Joanne Thomas, MA, LPC, NCC, RPT-S™
EMDR Certified Therapist
Perinatal Mental Health Counselor
Joanne Thomas is an EMDR Certified Therapist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ (RPT-S™) and former Chair of the Fredericksburg Chapter of Virginia Association for Play Therapy. She utilizes her clinical expertise to train prospective pre-licensed individuals with interventions to provide play therapy services for children, adolescents and adults. As an Approved Clinical Supervisor in the State of Virginia she provides both clinical supervision and play therapy supervision. Her previous presentations to various professional associations include strategies and perspectives on working with people of color while developing cultural humility.
She has recently re-activated herself with Virginia Community Response Network to provide trauma focused treatment protocols to individuals that have been negatively impacted by a traumatic event in the state of Virginia. Joanne is an advocate in supporting crisis responders by providing behavioral healthcare services to improve their mental health and wellness.
Additionally, Joanne has completed all of the required training to obtain her Perinatal Mental Health Counseling certificate (PMH-C). In this capacity, she works with perinatal and postpartum clients to address Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) in clinical sessions. As she continues to receive advanced training in working with women with postpartum diagnoses, she hopes to bring attention to the disproportionate number of mental health providers that have clinical expertise to provide this type of service.
Education:
- B.A. Psychology- San Diego State University
- M.A. Counseling Psychology- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Professional Memberships:
- National Board for Certified Counselors
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- Postpartum Support International
- Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color
- Virginia Counselors Association
- DC Metro Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative
- Association for Play Therapy
Professional Associations:
- National Volunteer Fire Council
- Virginia Community Response Network
- Postpartum Support Virginia
- Perinatal Mental Health Coalition of Virginia
Bryanda “Bry” Monge-Vega
Graduate Student Intern
Bry is a first generation Mexican American and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has provided translation and interpretation services for her family and for about ten years in a professional capacity.
Bry began her career in Colorado at the Adams County Sherriff’s Office where she spent two years as a Victim Service Advocate and four years as a Jail Detention Deputy. She made her transition to Virginia where she worked as a Child and Family Advocate and a Family Resource Specialist providing children and their families with support, resources, and connection to the community. She has a passion for working with children and their families enduring life’s challenges.
Bry is currently pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She has obtained a certification in SYMBIS assessment facilitator that will aid when working with couples. She is eager and dedicated to providing a positive therapeutic experience to all she gets the opportunity to work with.
Education:
- B. S. Criminal Justice and Criminology – Metropolitan State University of Denver
- M. A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Graduate Student Intern – Liberty University
Professional Memberships:
- Association for Play Therapy (ACA)
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
- Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) International Honor Society
- Virginia Counselors Association (VCA)
Kymmollotkis “Kym” Robinson
Graduate Student
Kymmollotkis Robinson is a native to Virginia who has spent most of her life in Caroline County and now in the Fredericksburg area. Since she was an adolescent, she has strongly desired to help children and families become the best version of themselves.
She has served in different ministries and has volunteered as a mentor with various organizations. Kymmollotkis has a huge heart and passion for working with the youth and is both determined and dedicated to reaching as many as she can to positively influencing their lives.
In October 2018, she founded Youth of Promise, a faith-based non-profit organization that mentored at-risk youth in the community. The goal was to empower each youth to make the best choices for their life by building confidence, and life skills that would sustain them for a lifetime.
Kymmollotkis is currently a Clinical Mental Health Graduate Student at Liberty University. She has acquired a SYMBIS assessment facilitator certification, which will help her help couples understand their needs and personalities and how they contribute to their relationships. She is excited to become the guiding light that helps her clients navigate through the darkest storms.
Education:
- Bachelors Degree- Liberty University
- M. A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Graduate Student – Liberty University
Professional Memberships:
- Association for Play Therapy (ACA)
- American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
- Virginia Counselors Association (VCA)