Founder and Director
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Emery Hurst Mikel
Founder and Director Contemplative Psychotherapist, Art Therapist, Mindfulness & Meditation Mentor MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, LCPAT MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy from Naropa University Women, Grief/Loss, Self-Esteem, Empowerment, LGBTQIA+ Emery works primarily with women who want to build confidence and empower themselves in everyday life. Her goal is to create a safe space for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to find support when they need it. Going to therapy should be as routine as going to the doctor to take care of your physical health. The following therapists have joined this practice because they have similar beliefs and see the good in each person who walks through our doors. Please call today to speak with her or Zoë and they will do their best to find the therapist that best meets your needs. |
Therapists
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Jamie Adges
MA, LCAT Psychotherapist, Drama Therapist Certified Yoga Teacher, Reiki Practitioner Anxiety, Confidence Building, Social and Relational issues, Learning Disabilities Jamie offers a safe space in which you will be invited to engage in the therapeutic process through creativity, conversation, embodiment, and ritual within a psychodynamic approach. Therapy is for anyone seeking support, change, or is struggling with a specific issue, and together we will explore areas that hold us back and discover ways for carrying out our deepest dreams and desires. She has worked with people as young as 3 and as old as 103, and has experience supporting those with anxiety, depression, trauma, illness, grief, learning disabilities, and social and relational issues. She looks forward to meeting and working with you on the path towards greater self-awareness and higher living. |
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Celia J. Gagnon
MA Marriage/Family Therapy, LCAT Psychotherapist, Art Therapist LGBTQIA+, Loss/Grief, Stress Reduction, Adolescents/Adults, Couples Celia has worked with a wide array of ages, from adolescent to seniors. Her areas of expertise include: identifying coping strategies to support better communication in both home, school and the workplace; developing healthy stress management techniques; supporting the grieving process; and identifying life goals and the roadblocks to attaining them. |
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Saeideh “Zaida” Golji
MPS, Limited Permit LCAT Psychotherapist, Art Therapist Minority Issues and Microaggressions, Multiculturalism, Anxiety, Depression The goal of therapy with me is to explore ourselves and care for what needs to heal and grow where there is room to grow. Using a trauma informed, anti-oppressive framework we will work on having a deeper understanding of ourselves, a crucial step in taking control over our personal narrative and utilizing the powers and strengths that we have to live a wholesome life. When growing this deeper understanding, we will use art as a tool used to help explore our inner selves and communicate where worlds may not be enough. |
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Sharon Itkoff Nacache (not currently accepting new clients)
MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC Psychotherapist, Art Therapist Anxiety, Stress Relief, Chronic Illness, Matrescence/Postpartum Issues, Professional Burnout Sharon's psychotherapy approach is grounded in principles of mindfulness, humanism, and the healing power of the creative process. As a new mother with 10 years of clinical experience in various treatment settings, she is especially interested in providing psychosocial support for expecting and new caregivers as they embark on one of life’s biggest adventures: the journey into parenthood. |
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Alexa Palmer
MA, LCAT, BC-DMT, GL-CMA Psychotherapist, Dance/Movement Therapist, Graduate Laban- Certified Movement Analyst Trauma Recovery & Resilience, PTSD, Mood Disorders, Maintaining Substance Abuse Recovery, Adjustment Disorders, Relationship Issues In her work with adults, Alexa draws upon frameworks such as Trauma-Informed Dance/Movement Therapy, Humanism, DBT, and CBT. She encourages the use of creativity to enhance the therapeutic process, self-exploration, and confidence in relationships. By understanding how trauma can deeply impact lives, she works towards safely uncovering the resilience behind trauma. Through body-based techniques, she helps to establish goals and enables her clients to work toward a greater sense of health and well-being. |
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Jennifer A. Perez
MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC Psychotherapist, Art Therapist, Bereavement Specialist Child, Adolescent & Adult Grief, Traumatic Loss, Combat Stress, 9/11, Death and End of Life New Year, New You? Jennifer wants to work with you in building the best version of yourself. The therapeutic journey is a collaborative process of acceptance, safety and understanding that can feel challenging to achieve through all stages of life. Create the tools to thrive and transform these challenges into new opportunities of exploration. |
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Xenia Rybak
MPS, Limited Permit LCAT Psychotherapist, Art Therapist Post Cancer Treatment Support, Self-care, Life Transitions, Caregiver Support Xenia's practice focuses on working with individuals, their caregivers, and support system during and post-cancer treatment. In addition, she works with visually impaired individuals by providing them a modality of expression that many would not expect the population to be proficient in. It is her goal to provide each client with a safe space in which healing and self-exploration can occur. |
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Caroline “Amina” Shaw-Moss
MPS, Limited Permit LCAT Psychotherapist, Art Therapist Children/Teens/Adults/Families, Trauma, Fear, Anxiety, Loss Therapy can be helpful for processing life’s peaks and valleys. Amina's goal is to collaborate with clients while focusing on their specific needs. Using mindfulness practices, visual art therapy and CBT, her approach is focused on identifying triggers and relieving stress. Previously, she has worked in outpatient mental health clinics in both Brooklyn and Boston. |
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Atara Vogelstein
MA, LCAT Psychotherapist, Drama Therapist Trauma Informed Care, Child/Adolescent Psychotherapy, Social-emotional Learning, Adult/Young Adult Psychotherapy, Anxiety & Stress Management, Depression & Mood Dys/Regulation, Attachment Disorders, Self-esteem, Self-development Atara is a drama therapist/psychotherapist with experience working with a variety of ages and populations, ranging from young children to older adults with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs. She utilizes a person-centered approach to treatment, and meets clients with creative, projective, and embodied interventions. Atara incorporates into treatment various artistic modalities within the creative arts therapies as well as mindfulness and verbal psychotherapy. She works alongside clients to identify their needs and strengths, and provides them with unique and individualized therapeutic support. Her goal is to guide clients toward finding interpersonal healing, mind-body integration, and personal balance and growth. |
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Julia Volonts (based in Latvia on Fulbright)
MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC Psychotherapist, Art Therapist, Wellness Specialist Anxiety, Depression, Attachment, Life Transitions, Interpersonal Relationships, Self-esteem, and Identity. Life changes can impact the ability to function at our highest potential. Art-making provides a space to communicate the feelings, thoughts, and experiences we find difficult to place into words. Drawing from a humanistic approach, Julia combines the creative process with traditional talk therapy to inspire physical, mental, and emotional healing. She provides an empathic space to explore challenges and reframe your own narrative to make life livable again. It is time to let go of what no longer serves you and embrace the uncertainty of change. |
Interns
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Lily Simmons
The Madeira School (HS in McLean, VA) Hi everyone! My name is Lily Simmons and I’m a senior in high school at The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia. First of all, I feel so lucky to be working with an alum, Ms. Mikel, at Water & Stone. I was immediately intrigued by the company, because I love working and connecting with people and I love all forms of art: piano and painting in particular. I have played piano all of my life, and it has acted as an escape from any problems or stress. I just recently began painting in April of 2020 when the Coronavirus pandemic hit, and since then, it has created a place of peace and freedom. I would not consider myself to be the best artist, but I am grateful to be able to make mistakes and use painting to express myself. I believe that art creates a sense of independence and serenity that is important for everybody. In addition to this, I have always been interested in Psychology and I find it amazing that art can support various people in all stages of life. I can’t wait to speak with the therapists about their areas of expertise and learn about the company’s mission and work in the community. |
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Emma Stone
The Madeira School (HS in McLean, VA) Hi!! My name is Emma Stone and I am senior at The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia. I am so excited to be working at Water & Stone. Although that is common in short bios, it is important to know that I really mean it! Art and psychology are two very important pillars and interests in my life, and this wonderful company combines both in a way that is fascinating to me. I cannot wait to learn more as I am truly passionate about the work being done here. I look forward to learning and helping in any way I possibly can! |
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Yufei (Lillian) Xie
The Madeira School (HS in McLean, VA) Hey! My name is Lillian Xie, and I am currently a junior from The Madeira School in Mclean, Virginia. Psychology has always been the passion of my life and I have learned about different therapies before, such as dialectical behavior therapy. Never before could I imagine combing Art and Psychology together since I assume these are two completely different areas of study. I am grateful that I can work with Ms. Mikel and learn much more about therapists, mindfulness, and arts in Water & Stone. In the next five weeks, I sincerely hope that I can contribute my efforts to this amazing company and gain more hands-on experience. |
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Ruva Kiara
The Madeira School (HS in McLean, VA) Hi! My name is Ruva Kiara and I am a senior boarder at The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia. I am grateful to be interning at Water and Stone this year! I have been interested in psychology most of my high school life but have not had the chance to immerse myself in the field before beginning this internship. I have experience as the patient in therapy but only in contemplative practices and talk therapy so I am excited to learn about art therapy approaches. Although I do not consider myself an artist. I love being creative in my writing and work so I am excited to apply it within this setting of art therapy. Personally, the great thing about art is being able to find beauty and a story or message in an ordered or disordered creation. I believe art and creativity are forms of independence, freedom, and exploration and deserve to be examined and tried by all. I am excited to see how art therapy can benefit all people of different backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. |
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Mia Stewart The Madeira School (HS in McLean, VA) Hi my name is Mia Stewart and I am 18 years old and I am a senior from The Madeira School. I enjoy playing field hockey, rock climbing, and riding horses. I also love spending time with my pet cat Pumpkin. I am excited for this internship and for the opportunity to learn more about creative arts therapy. |
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Grace Thomas The Madeira School (HS in McLean, VA) My name is Grace Thomas and I am a senior at The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and I'm ready to learn as much as I can and give back as much as I can to all the wonderful people at Water & Stone. I've loved creating art for as long as I can remember and I'm excited to learn how art therapy works and build a healthier relationship with art! While I am unsure of what I’m going to do, psychology is definitely an interest of mine and I'm sure that all I will learn from this internship will give me direction and be beneficial to my daily life. |
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