Our Team
Erica Sartwell, MA, LPC, RPT-S
Erica is a skilled therapist who helps her clients manage and overcome life’s problems with a gentle approach. Erica counsels children, adolescents, couples and families in need of short term or long term care. She has received training in several areas including Play Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Erica received her BA in Behavioral Sciences in Austin, Texas and she received her MA in Professional Counseling in Chicago, Illinois, passing the National Counseling Exam and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois in 2001. She received her LPC in Virginia in 2009.
Crystal Crosby, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, TF-CBT-C
Ms. Crosby has an unwavering passion for working with children and adolescents facing a challenging time managing their psychological and emotional well being. She has received specialized training in assisting children in coping with the effects of traumatic experiences in his/her life including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Crystal’s training and experience has provided her the knowledge to adapt to each unique individual utilizing proven therapy models. Her international experience as well as continuing education in the field of international psychology has provided Crystal with the knowledge to work with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and influences.
Juan Milla, MA, LPC
Juan was born in El Salvador where at the age of 21 founded a rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addicts. During that time Juan saw the need to become better prepared to help people with traumatic pasts and moved to the United States in 2004 to complete his degree in Counseling at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. He graduated with his masters in 2008 and has continued to reside in the Virginia Beach area since then. Since graduating in 2008, Juan has worked both full time and part time as a counselor. During this time he also became involved in a local church where he youth pastored for 7 years and has currently been senior pastor for almost four years. As a pastor, Juan has in-depth knowledge of Biblical principles that can be applied to many areas and challenges in one's life. He also has extensive experience with trauma-related issues and utilizes approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Integration (EMI). In addition, Juan is fluent in both English and Spanish. Juan has a passion to help individuals, marriages, and families live more fulfilling and healthier lives by helping them overcome unresolved issues that hold them back or by giving them coping skills to face present challenges. He believes in providing the safest place possible for clients to share their story and explore thoughts and emotions.
Mary Portner, Intern
Mary is a counseling intern currently receiving her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Mary is working towards obtaining her License as a Professional Counselor, and has a passion for working with clients who are struggling with a varierty of issues. Mary uses a client centered approach to meet her client’s needs. Mary’s therapeutic areas of interest include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, meaning therapy, movement therapy and other creative therapeutic outlets.
Jenny Pfeiffer, Intern
Jenny’s theoretical orientation is strongly influenced by psychodynamic theories (e.g., object relations, attachment, self-psychology, ego-psychology, and contemporary relational) within a multicultural framework, She generally utilizes an interpersonal/relational treatment approach in which she continually strives to foster an authentic and trusting therapeutic alliance in which clients feel validated, understood, and safe to identify and explore their emotions, thoughts, and underlying motivations in greater depth. In psychodynamic therapy, therapists help people review emotions, thoughts, early-life experiences, and beliefs to gain insight into their lives and their present-day problems and to evaluate the patterns they have developed over time. Recognizing recurring patterns helps people see the ways in which they avoid distress or develop defense mechanisms as a method of coping so that they can take steps to change those patterns. My primary goal as a psychodynamic intern therapist is to help uncover those defenses so that we can better manage our present crisis and move towards a more authentic, conscious way of living. I work with those who struggle with complex trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, childhood sexual and physical abuse, couple and marital crisis, parenting issues, and life transition crises.
Jordan DeRidder, Intern
Jordan is a counseling intern currently receiving her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University. Jordan is working towards getting her License as a Professional Counselor, and has a passion for working with adolescents and young adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, social skills, relationship issues, and women’s issues. Jordan uses a unique and individual approach to meet her client’s needs, and provides a holistic approach allowing the individual to explore all aspects of their mental health; including mental, emotional physical, social and spiritual well-being. Jordan’s therapeutic areas of interest include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, meaning therapy, movement therapy and other creative therapeutic outlets.
P. Todd Sartwell, MA, JD
Todd received his BA in Behavioral Sciences in Austin, Texas in 1998, received his MA in Psychology in Chicago, Illinois in 2000 and his JD from Regent University in 2005. For over a decade he has handled over 1000 cases and seen first hand the devestating effect conflict can have, even for the party who "wins". As a result of that experience, he is driven to assist clients find solutions through conflict resolution in relationships, employment and litigation. He also is available as a life coach for adults and adolescents who are facing life changes, who are afflicted with anxiety, or who desire goal and performance centered guidance. Todd is also a partner with the Dickerson & Smith Law Group in Virginia Beach.