Frequently Asked Questions

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What types of therapy does Riverbend Counseling provide?

Riverbend Counseling specializes in trauma-informed individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Our clinicians utilize evidence-based approaches including EMDR therapy, parts work, attachment-focused therapy, somatic interventions, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other trauma-informed treatment models.

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What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people process traumatic memories and distressing life experiences. EMDR can be effective for PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, childhood trauma, medical trauma, and many other concerns.

Many of our clinicians have advanced EMDR training, with several serving as EMDR consultants, trainers, or certified therapists.

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Do I have to have PTSD to benefit from trauma therapy?

No.

Many people seek trauma-informed therapy because they experience anxiety, depression, perfectionism, relationship difficulties, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty regulating emotions—even if they have never been diagnosed with PTSD.

Trauma therapy focuses on understanding how past experiences continue to affect current functioning.

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What is Parts Work?

Parts Work is a collaborative approach that recognizes we all have different "parts" of ourselves that developed for important reasons.

For example, someone may have:

• an inner critic

• a perfectionist

• a protector

• a people-pleaser

• a younger wounded part

Rather than fighting against these parts, therapy helps people understand them and create lasting change through compassion and integration.

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Do your therapists use Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

While our clinicians are not IFS-certified therapists, many have extensive advanced training in Parts Work and integrate parts-based interventions into trauma treatment alongside EMDR and other evidence-based approaches.

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What concerns do you treat?

Riverbend therapists commonly work with:

• trauma and PTSD

• childhood trauma

• complex trauma

• anxiety

• depression

• grief

• panic attacks

• dissociation

• relationship difficulties

• stress

• burnout

• attachment concerns

• life transitions

• self-esteem

• emotional regulation

• medical trauma

• first responder trauma

• healthcare worker stress

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What ages do you see?

Riverbend provides therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

Our intake team helps match each client with the clinician whose experience best fits their needs.

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Do you offer therapy for children?

Yes.

Our clinicians work with children using developmentally appropriate approaches that may include play-based interventions, EMDR, attachment-focused therapy, parent collaboration, and trauma-informed techniques.

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Do you offer telehealth?

Yes.

Many Riverbend clinicians provide secure telehealth appointments for clients who are physically located in Virginia.

Some services may be recommended in person depending on clinical needs.

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Where are your offices?

Riverbend Counseling serves clients throughout Virginia with offices in Culpeper, Charlottesville and Richmond, along with telehealth appointments.

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How do I know which therapist is right for me?

You don't have to figure that out alone.

Our clinical director reviews each inquiry and help match clients with a therapist whose training, experience, availability, and therapeutic approach best fit the client's goals.

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What happens during the first therapy appointment?

Your first session focuses on getting to know you.

Your therapist will discuss:

• what brings you to therapy

• your goals

• your history

• questions you have about treatment

• recommendations for moving forward

There is no pressure to tell your entire story during the first visit.

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Is therapy confidential?

Yes.

Therapy is confidential except in specific situations required by law, such as concerns about immediate safety or abuse reporting requirements. Your therapist will review confidentiality in detail during your first appointment.

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Do you accept insurance?

Riverbend participates with several insurance plans. We accept Aetna, Anthem, Sentara and Virginia Medicaid plans. 

Because insurance coverage varies by plan, our intake team verifies benefits before services begin whenever possible and will explain any expected out-of-pocket costs.

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How soon can I start therapy?

Appointment availability varies throughout the year.

Some clinicians may have immediate openings, while others maintain waitlists. Our intake team works to connect clients with the earliest appropriate appointment based on their preferences and clinical needs.

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What if I'm not sure therapy is right for me?

Many people feel uncertain before starting therapy.

You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. Therapy can help you better understand yourself, improve relationships, develop healthier coping skills, process difficult experiences, and build resilience.

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What makes Riverbend different?

Riverbend Counseling is known for its depth of trauma expertise.

Many of our clinicians pursue advanced education beyond basic licensure, including specialized training in EMDR, complex trauma, dissociation, attachment, Parts Work, and neuroscience-informed psychotherapy. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized treatment that addresses the underlying causes of emotional distress—not simply symptom management.