April Akers

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner with a PhD, and I've spent ten years working with people who are genuinely tired of feeling like they should have figured this out by now. I work virtually with clients throughout Virginia, and I take a different approach than most therapists: I consider myself part clinician, part teacher. My goal isn't just for you to feel better in session — it's for you to leave understanding yourself well enough that you don't need me forever. I work with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, trauma, life transitions, and end-of-life concerns. I'm also a proud affirming provider for LGBTQ+ clients and believe good therapy should be accessible to everyone — which is why I've built in morning, afternoon, and evening availability.

My work is grounded in CBT, ACT, and mindfulness, but the thread that runs through everything is this: your emotions are not your enemy. They're data. They're telling you something — about your history, your needs, your values — and once you learn to read them instead of fight them, they become one of the most useful tools you have. I draw on Emotion Focused Therapy and behavior modification when the moment calls for it, and for clients navigating acute crisis or traumatic incidents, I'm trained in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I pay close attention to what each person actually needs — intellectually, emotionally, and sometimes spiritually — and I adjust accordingly. Sessions feel more like a class you actually want to take than a waiting room for your feelings to pass.

Our first session isn't an intake form with a face. I want to know what's actually going on — not just the diagnosis or the list of symptoms, but what life feels like right now and what you've already tried. I'll ask real questions and I'll be honest with you about what I think I can help with and how. You won't leave with homework on day one, but you will leave having taken one real step — and feeling like this might actually be different. If you're ready to get started, click the button above to schedule. I accept Aetna and Cigna/Evernorth, and I'm happy to answer insurance questions before we begin.