Counseling is more than someone listening to your concerns or areas of difficulty. It involves a trusting relationship between you and a dedicated staff of counseling professionals. At Associates in Brief Therapy, we want to get to know you better throughout the counseling process. Doing so allows us to gain a more personal insight into your life. This helps us to offer genuine advice and services, not "quick and easy" solutions that don't truly help. Our staff of counselors are ready to assist you, and we cover a large region in southwest Virginia. Below, click the name of the office nearest you to learn more about the counselors available in your area.
Clinical Director
David L. Mortellaro, L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Mediator
David is the Clinical Director and founder of Associates in Brief Therapy (ABT) which was established in 1995. He has been in the counseling profession since 1986. He earned a B. S. in Psychology from State University of New York at Oswego, NY (1979), a Masters Degree in Counseling from Liberty University (1985), post-graduate studies at Lynchburg College (1988-1989). In addition, he achieved an Advanced Certificate in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT – 1993). He has professional training in clinical supervision, extensive training in solution-focused counseling, and is a trained mediator.
David works with adolescents, adults, couples and families. His counseling style can best be described as coaching. An effective coach is a motivator and teacher that empowers others to develop strategies and skills.
His expertise and specialties include:
- Marriage/couples/divorce prevention
- Infidelity
- Christian counseling
- Mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bi-polar)
- Divorce recovery
- Clinical supervision
- Mediation (separation and divorce)
- Anger management
- Life coaching
David is available to provide workshops for businesses and churches.
David resides in Roanoke with his wife and four children. He and his family are members of New Century Church.
Bobby Jessup, L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist
Mr. Jessup counsels individuals, couples, and families needing relief for a variety of difficulties, such as: depression, anxiety, anger, marital problems, blended families, parenting, and other issues. Effective and practical psychological strategies blended with Christian values and principles mark Bobby's approach to counseling. He also has a strong pro-marriage bias and believes that there should be no effort spared to save a marriage and family. Proven techniques are used to enrich marriages and to rebuild and improve the ones damaged by anger, loss of love, distrust, and even infidelity.
Bobby began his counseling practice here at ABT in 1997. He is a native of Virginia having graduated from Virginia Tech in 1985 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and from Liberty University in 1997 with a Master's degree in Counseling.
Timothy M. Wilder, L.P.C.Licensed Professional Counselor
Mr. Wilder counsels children, adolescents, adults, and families. Some of the issues he addresses are ADHD, behavior problems, life adjustment problems, parent/child relationships, anxiety, depression, pre-marital counseling, and marriage counseling. Treatment approaches include Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Mr. Wilder received the Master's Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 1996. He also received the Primary Certificate in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute.
Darnell T. Barnes, L.C.S.W., C.S.A.C.Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Darnell has a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over 600 hours of training in substance abuse counseling. Darnell has over 15 years experience in counseling and has worked in both inpatient, day treatment and outpatient settings with individuals, couples and families.
Darnell, as a specialist in mental health and substance abuse treatment, is skilled in helping clients with stress management, anger management, co-dependency, alcohol and drug dependence, pre-marital and marriage counseling, depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. She is also experienced in helping people through separation or divorce, parenting skills, and child discipline problems.
Through the use of cognitive behavioral techniques to facilitate change in a short period of time, she does not just treat the symptoms, but the whole person, addressing their spiritual as well as psychological and emotional needs. She also provides Biblical counseling upon request.
Dave Wiggins, PhD, L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
David R. Wiggins, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Roanoke, Virginia. He received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Virginia Tech in 1995, an Ed.S. degree in Counseling from the University of Virginia in 1988 and a Master's degree in Community Agency Counseling from James Madison University in 1984. Dr. Wiggins has worked as an individual, marital, group and family counselor at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center for seven years. He also served as the director and family counselor for a hospital-based rehabilitation program. Before entering into private practice he served as the Director of Counseling at the Jefferson College of Health Sciences.
Dr. Wiggins works with many issues on an outpatient basis in an individual, marital or group format. He has particular interests and experience in helping those who have concerns in the following areas: Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder primarily impulsivity, hyperactivity or inattention can result in anger and frustration for the individual. Disabilities/medical illnesses can cause individuals and their families problems in dealing with the emotional and physical issues that come with head trauma and spinal cord injury and also with those suffering from cancer, strokes, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic pain, mental retardation and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. With 15 years experience, Dr. Wiggins can help families and individuals cope with the stressors associated with these issues. Adjustment/stress management issues such as school, marriage, job/career or relationships can result in depression, anxiety or anger for everyone involved. Dr. Wiggins can quickly help alleviate through counseling and coping skills these problems. Step family concerns and/or marital/relationship issues such as discipline, finances, setting boundaries, managing conflict, step sibling, step-teen and ex-spouses can cause conflict in one form or another. By utilizing a brief counseling approach to accentuate the individual strengths and focusing on practical tools needed to work through adversity and conflict, Dr. Wiggins emphasizes a solution-focused approach to resolving all these issues.
M. Rizwan Ali, M.D.
Board Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Rizwan Ali received his medical degree from Dow Medical College and completed his residency in Psychiatry at VCU, MCV Richmond, VA. He is board certified in General Adult Psychiatry. Along with his private practice, he works at the VA Medical Center in Salem, VA and also as a community psychiatrist in Rocky Mount, VA. He is also active in several professional and social organizations - locally and statewide. He is the president of Southwest Virginia Psychiatric Society and Regional Representative at the state level for Virginia Association of Community Psychiatrists. He is also one of the Board of Directors for Psychiatric Society of Virginia.
He enjoys music and loves to hike and play tennis.
Carla Barnett, L.P.C., C.S.A.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Carla received her Master of Arts in Counseling at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA in 1996. She provides counseling services to individuals and couples, working with children, adolescents and adults. In her approach to treating clients, she takes the whole person - body, soul and spirit - into consideration. Carla is adept at treating mood and anxiety disorders, stress, life-changing issues, personality disorders and substance abuse issues. Carla is available for workshops on a variety of topics.
Carla is married, a mother and a grandmother.
Laurel Martin, L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Laurel is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from James Madison University and has been practicing since 1991.
Laurel works with clients of all ages in individual, group, marital and family therapy. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, surviving abuse, grief and loss, divorce, parent/child conflict, spirituality and women’s issues.
Amy Elliott, L.P.C., L.M.F.T. Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Amy is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley, and is a graduate of Emory & Henry College and Radford University. She has been in the counseling profession since 1980, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Amy has a broad range and depth of counseling experience, and enjoys working with children, adolescents, individuals, and couples. Her areas of specialty include difficulties with mood and anxiety, childhood issues, parenting skills, infertility, adoption, menopause and couples therapy.
Amy is happily married with two terrific children, two dogs and a cat.
Cathy Loving-Kirk, M.A.
Resident Counselor
Ms. Loving-Kirk is in her residency to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her master's degree in counseling from Liberty University. She has counseled under supervision for Braley and Thompson working with adults and adolescents and in a school for severely emotionally disturbed children. Her experience has primarily been with adolescents and young and middle aged adults and couples.
Ms. Loving-Kirk has worked with these populations with a wide variety of problems and issues, using primarly a cognitive-behavioral treatment approach. She has special concern and knowledge in problems related to female adolescent development and life changes and adjustments for young and middle aged adult females.
Chad Wills, L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Mr. Wills is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He received his bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and his master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University. He previously worked as the Behavioral Health Services Manager at Minnick Education Center in Roanoke Va. He has experience working with children and families suffering from a variety of problems including autism, asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, bi-polar, learning disabilities, OCD, ODD, and other social-emotional issues. He is now full-time at Associates In Brief Therapy and is accepting new patients.
He enjoys football, reading, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.
Jennifer sherman, L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Megan Ellis, L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Jim Herron, L.P.C., L.M.F.T.Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage & Family Counselor
Mr. Herron is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has a Master’s Degree in Practical Theology from Cincinnati Christian Seminary and a Masters Degree in Child and Family Development from Virginia Tech. He has been in private practice in Virginia since 1996. As an ordained minister, he has 25 years of experience in ministry.
His clinical experience has included the treatment of a wide variety of problems and issues. He is currently focusing his practice to the treatment of anxiety disorders, stress management, adults with ADHD, adoption issues, spiritual issues, faith development, men’s problems, and coaching for fathers. He works primarily with individual adults.
Salem Office
Jeremy Suess, N.C.C., L.P.C.National Certified Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Jeremy graduated from James Madison University in 1994 and received his master's in Counseling from Georgia State University in 1998. He holds a master's degree in Christian Psychological Studies from the Psychological Studies Institute.
Mr. Suess enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, couple, and families.
J. Neil DeMasters, L.C.S.W.Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Before achieving his Masters degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, he received training from the National Training Labs (NTL) and his Bachelors degree from Roanoke College (Salem, Virginia). He is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional [CEAP], a Virginia and California Licensed Clinical Social Worker [LCSW], as well as a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work [BCD], Certified Substance Abuse Professional [SAP], and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers [ACSW].
Neil has over 24 years Employee Assistance Program [EAP] experience helping employers and Taft-Hartly Labor-Management Trust Funds design and implement alcohol and drug policies and procedures, training events, fitness-for-duty systems, wellness programs, managed care schemes, and workplace trauma debriefing services. He has served a wide range of industries and small business consortiums, ranging from the "high tech," insurance, manufacturing, transportation, and service industries.He has taught these skills on the graduate level. Prior to Neil's work in industry, he worked for 10 years in both chemical dependency treatment and psychotherapy with the emotionally disabled.
Laura Gardner, L.C.S.W.Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Mrs. Gardner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She completed her MSW training at Syracuse University, where she specialized in individuals and families and alcoholism. In addition, she has trained at the Institute for Biblical Counseling. She worked for six years in public and private outpatient substance abuse treatment programs in Wisconsin utilizing individual, family and particularly, group formats. She has maintained a private practice in Virginia since 1984.
In addition to substance abuse, Mrs. Gardner has extensive experience treating co-dependence, mood, anxiety, personality, and adjustment disorders, and issues such as sexual abuse, post-abortion problems, stress, Christian concerns, grief, and parenting. She uses primarily a cognitive-behavioral treatment approach. She works with high school and college students, adults, and elderly clients.
Marcia Jaudon, L.C.S.W. Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Mrs. Jaudon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University. She has over 18 years of experience working with all ages of people in both individual and group settings. Specific experience includes treating children and adolescents with a diagnosis of abuse, ADHD, depression or a physical disability. She has led parenting classes and has experience helping families in crisis or with parent/child conflicts.
For seven years she treated adults with chronic pain, depression and anxiety. Other areas of experience include leading groups in communication and conflict resolution as well as individual counseling involving issues of grief, spirituality, and women’s issues. Mrs. Jaudon presently treats all ages but specializes in child and family issues.
Vic Wolf, Jr., L.P.C.Licensed Professional Counselor
Mr. Wolf is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Virginia and West Virginia. After receiving a Masters of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America, and has 10 years of pastoral experience. Having completed a Masters in Counseling from the same institution, he has counseled for the past 4 years.
Using a combination of Cognitive-Behavioral and Family Systems modalities, Mr. Wolf sees a wide range of issues in his practice, but has focused on treating couples and conducting pre-marital counseling. He also has experience with sexual addiction, anger management, and other men’s issues. Other issues addressed are parenting, depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, grief, adjustment disorders, and Christian faith. Mr. Wolf sees families, adolescents, and adults.
Jim Herron, L.P.C., L.M.F.T. Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Mr. Herron is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has a Master’s Degree in Practical Theology from Cincinnati Christian Seminary and a Masters Degree in Child and Family Development from Virginia Tech. He has been in private practice in Virginia since 1996. As an ordained minister, he has 25 years of experience in ministry.
His clinical experience has included the treatment of a wide variety of problems and issues. He is currently focusing his practice to the treatment of anxiety disorders, stress management, adults with ADHD, adoption issues, spiritual issues, faith development, men’s problems, and coaching for fathers. He works primarily with individual adults.
Rhoda Hurst, PHD, L.C.S.W.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Dr. Rhoda Hurst, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Care Manager has over twenty five years of experience in psycho-therapy and health care. She earned her Masters of Social Work at VCU, Richmond Campus, in 1982. She earned a doctorate in Human Development and a graduate certificate in Gerontology at Va Tech in 1993. She has worked extensively with children, adolescents, the elderly and families across the lifespan. Much of her work has been in health care settings with persons experiencing multiple health challenges, transitions, and loss. Dr. Hurst has taught Counseling and Social Work at several universities as well as published and presented at professional conferences.
Dr. Hurst grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia and has worked most of her professional life in Southwestern Virginia. She is now a proud and grateful citizen of Floyd County. Practicing in this rural setting where people’s emotional and mental health needs have traditionally been underserved, Dr Hurst hopes to provide accessible, effective counseling to all categories of people and problems. She is confident in working with any person who expresses a desire for psychotherapy and or care management. Persons whose needs exceed her scope of practice will be referred to appropriate practitioners and resources. A long time member of the National Association of Social Workers and the National Association of Professional Care Managers, Dr. Hurst abides by the Code of Ethics of both organizations as well as the Licensing Regulations of the Virginia Board of Social Work.
Geriatric Care Management
Dr. Hurst provides Geriatric Care Management in Floyd and surrounding counties. These services include some or all of the following: in-home evaluation of cognitive and functional status; social supports; financial resources; risk factors; development, implementation and monitoring of care plan; consultation with family, health care providers, and legal counsel; and education on long term care resources.