Couples therapists in Norfolk, VA

I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and have been working with clients since 2021. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and identity — the big, tender stuff that often doesn't have an easy answer but always deserves a real conversation.

I work with adolescents and adults but to be honest, my door is open to anyone having a human experience. Which, is all of us.

My approach draws from Person-Centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness — but what that looks like in practice is less textbook and more tailored to you. Some people need tools and strategies. Some people just need to feel genuinely heard for the first time in a long time. Most people need both, and we figure that out together.

I show up as a real person. I'm warm, honest, occasionally funny, and always in your corner. You won't find me blank-faced or judgmental. You will find someone who is genuinely invested in your story and rooting for you, every step of the way.

Healing happens through connection, and that is what I am here to offer. I am Kaliyah Hughes, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Doctorate in Professional Counseling and deep roots in community mental health, crisis support, and psychiatric care. I work with adults, children, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, ADHD, and more. Whether you are facing something acute or working toward your next chapter, I bring both clinical expertise and genuine care to every session. I would love to walk beside you.

I work primarily with individuals and couples who need assistance in learning what to do when difficult emotions appear. I work with couples navigating the same arguments over and over or individuals wondering, "Why does this feel so hard?" Areas of specialty include:

• Anger and areas of conflict
• Cycles of closeness and withdraw
• Emotional distance and disengagement
• Healing from affairs
• Lack of trust and insecurities
• Dating
• Premarital counseling
• Separation and divorce
• Parenting issues
• Power and control issues

Finding the right therapist, and starting therapy, can be both exciting and perhaps overwhelming. But your story matters--it is unique to you.

I can help with solving current struggles, as well as past wounds which may contribute to distress. I help those who want deeper insight into those areas they feel stuck; negative patterns of relating; or feeling blocked from living their best life.

Hey! I'm Christina, and I'm a licensed clinical social worker with 7 years experience providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy on an outpatient basis. I am thoroughly trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), two off-shoots of CBT that incorporate acceptance and mindfulness. I currently serve as the chapter president for Mid-Atlantic Chapter of The Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences, and I am a contributing author to an upcoming manual on a developing integrative therapy, Contextually-focused DBT. Basically, I'm a therapy nerd. I love and believe in my practice, and am always on the hunt to learn more and be the best therapist I can be.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I have a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition/Dietetics, which helps lend to a holistic approach to my work with clients. I commonly work with health behavioral change, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, OCD, and relationship change. My treatment approach utilizes a biopsychosocial lense in long-term therapy based in psychodynamic, strengths-based, and integrative work in overall health. I utilize coping skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. I incorporated life-skills such a assertiveness, boundaries, and career.

I love the work that I do and the healing relationships I have been able to foster with my clients. I believe that therapy is a form of self-care and I want to be an advocate of that for my clients. I welcome anyone who thinks they may want some support, whether long-term or short-term to reach out to me and set up a brief phone consultation.