Therapists

Melanie Gardner, PsyD, ATR-BC, LPC, CTS, LMHP

Licensed Professional Counselor / Board Certified Art Therapist

Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist / Neurofeedback Practitioner

 

“As a clinician, I am focused on meeting my clients where they are at.  My eclectic experience incorporates cognitive behavioral psychology, psychodynamic theory, art psychotherapy, and trauma informed therapy on both a verbal and non-verbal level.  My belief in a collaborative approach allows for the highest level benefit for the client as they become empowered along their journey to wellness.”    

Dr. Melanie Gardner, PsyD is a Certified Trauma Specialist who works with individuals from 5 years of age +.  Her specialties include trauma, sexual violence, attachment and abandonment issues, grief and loss, anxiety, mood disorders, childhood behavioral problems, complex family dynamics and parenting.   In addition to the above, Dr. Gardner has been working with individuals dealing with trauma (including human trafficking), violence, abuse, self mutilation, grief, loss, abandonment and attachment issues for the past ten years.

She is a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor.   In addition, she has advanced specialties as a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist and Neurofeedback Practitioner.  She is a Qualified Expert in Clinical Trauma.  She has provided numerous presentations on a local, state and national level including presenting on the impact of sexual trauma in collaboration with the Office of Attorney General of Virginia.

Dr. Gardner has aided in the growth of graduate interns in art therapy and counseling through the George Washington University Graduate Art Therapy Program and Liberty University Counseling Program as a Field Supervisor.  She continues to assist new professionals with clinical supervision toward licensure (LPC) or ATR.  Dr. Gardner is an Adjunct Faculty at George Washington University.  She was the former Director of Counseling and Program Coordinator at Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault.  Dr. Gardner currently works with service members and their families.  She also maintains a private practice with offices in Petersburg and Hopewell, Virginia.

Dr. Gardner has a BFA in Studio Arts from Marywood University, an MA in Art Therapy from Marywood University, and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University.  She is an advocate for patients’ rights.  She continues her education and remains interested in presentation, research and expanding the body of knowledge.  She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, Potomac Art Therapy Association, National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, International Society for Neuroregulation Research, Virginia Counselors Association, Virginia Clinical Counselors Association, the American Counseling Association and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.