About Us

 
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Melisa Atkeson, MSW, LCSW

Psychotherapist and Practice Owner

Melisa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She treats people who have anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, parent-child issues, self-injury, disordered eating behaviors, and relationship difficulties. She has a special interest in teens and adults who struggle to regulate emotions. Melisa views therapy as an opportunity for people to learn, share, gain insight, and practice skills.

Melisa has been helping people solve problems for 20+ years, first as a high school math teacher, next in sales and marketing in the computer industry, and for over 10 years as a psychotherapist. 

In addition to a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Melisa has undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Education from Auburn University. As part of her graduate program, she worked in foster and adoptive care, teaching parenting classes and working with at-risk adolescents. She also worked in a local residential treatment center facilitating adolescent and multifamily therapy groups. She has worked in a private group practice and founded Wise Mind Psychotherapy to provide high-quality mental health care to children, adolescents, and adults.

Melisa resides in northern Virginia with her family and a menagerie of animals.

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Kerry Jetton, MSW, LMT

Resident Psychotherapist

Kerry enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their family systems. She treats clients who have anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, trauma, self-harming behaviors, social and adjustment issues, and family problems. She uses a variety of therapies including CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Solution Based Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Functional Family systems.

Kerry has experience providing individual, group, and family therapy, conducting mental health assessments, suicidal assessments, and Adverse Childhood experience (ACE) assessments.

While getting her Master’s degree in Social Work at George Mason University, Kerry worked as a clinical intern therapist for adolescents with diverse backgrounds, age 12-17, in a 45-day crisis stabilization inpatient facility.

In addition to practicing psychotherapy, Kerry has owned and managed a massage therapy business and has been a licensed massage therapist, certified by the Virginia Board of Nursing, for 16 years. Kerry understands well the innate connection between mind and body, and mental and physical health.

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Suzanne Cooper, MSW

Resident Psychotherapist

Suzanne works with children, adolescents, adults, and families to support personal growth and recovery from anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment disruptions. She has a special interest in helping clients foster a sense of self-worth, increase self-compassion, explore identity, strengthen connections with others, heal from trauma, and navigate life transitions.

Viewing the therapeutic relationship as essential to growth and healing, Suzanne seeks to provide a warm, open, affirming, and non-judgmental space for clients. She uses an integrative approach based on each client’s unique needs pulling from psychodynamic, attachment, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, expressive, and narrative therapies. Suzanne has provided therapy services in a range of settings including community mental health agencies, foster care, in-home therapy, and an intensive outpatient program.

She holds a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the Catholic University of America and an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. Prior to pursuing her MSW, Suzanne worked in non-profit management for ten years including leading fundraising and operations teams at the American Red Cross.

Heather Sauceda, MSW

Resident Psychotherapist

Heather works with adolescents, their families, and adults in group and individual settings.  She specializes those who have anxiety, depression, trauma, and codependency. She also has a special interest in PTSD and those impacted by another’s addiction/alcoholism. She practices numerous therapy methodologies including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness, and Body-Awareness.

Heather understands that each person is unique and uses this perspective to approach each person with unique care and attention. She enjoys combining therapy with laughter and levity to help clients frame and rebuild their personal story. As a counselor, she feels her job is to reinforce your internal resilience while helping you to align your actions with your values and desired goals.

Heather holds a Masters in Clinical Social Work as well as an undergraduate degree in Spirituality and Well-Being from George Mason University. As part of her graduate program she worked with groups and individuals therapy at The Women’s Center in Vienna, VA. She has also completed an Integral Coaching program with New Ventures West.

Rebecca Ellison, MSW

Resident Psychotherapist

Rebecca is passionate about helping people across the lifespan overcome barriers that prevent them from living the life they want and deserve. She works with adolescents, adults, and families experiencing issues with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and executive function issues.

Her therapeutic approach is to create a supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns while learning effective coping skills and strategies to better manage life’s challenges. She has training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy and works with clients individually and in groups.

Rebecca holds a Master of Social Work with a clinical focus from George Mason University, a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University, and a certificate in Financial Social Work. Rebecca is a Veteran of the U.S. Army, a retired military spouse, and has supported military families for over 25 years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. 

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Kelly Rankin, CSAC, LCSW

Practice Manager

Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and works as a Substance Abuse Counselor for the Fairfax County Public School System.

Kelly is the Practice Manager of Wise Mind Psychotherapy. She is responsible for billing and communicating with clients to make sure they have what they need. She is likely to know the answer to any question you have!

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Eddie

Therapy Dog Extraordinaire

Weighing in at about 6 lbs, Eddie has no real credentials except being incredibly loving and interested in making people feel better. Eddie was found on the side of the road in April 2019 when he was about 4 months old. Because his original owners could not be found, Melisa brought him to northern Virginia and gave him a job at Wise Mind Psychotherapy where he has thrived. He looks forward to meeting you in person.