Thecle Ebanks, LCSW

Whether you are taking the first steps towards therapy with trepidation or confidence, I’d like to commend you for your bravery on this exciting journey. My ability to connect with you is my top priority. My approach is gentle and supportive, while encouraging you to view challenges as possible opportunities for growth. During the therapy process, you can take an aerial view of your life. This scope can include experiences from your past and present, while also looking at things in the future. My role is to come alongside you and provide support as you assess the view. This may lead to reflection, acceptance, and steps towards change. Whatever the decision, the journey can be daunting; but having support in the process can make it more manageable.

I have always had a passion for helping people encountering emotional challenges. As such, I bring a varied background and clinical expertise to the therapeutic relationship. Towards the end of my Master’s in Psychology program, I began working with severe, emotionally-disturbed youth in New York City. I learned how to manage crises and be a source of stability for families facing fragile situations, to include homelessness, suicide, and human trafficking. I saw first-hand the transformative work of this
field – how one powerful word or insight can help to start change. I knew this would be more than just a job—but my life’s purpose.

After working in this setting for some time, I transitioned to working with active-duty military, and it was at that point, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Social work from the University of Tennessee. This route opened up opportunities for me to work in an inpatient setting with youth, adults, and the chemical dependency program in the Tennessee/Kentucky area. Other experiences include working with domestic abuse victims/perpetrators, and later working in the dual role of Social Worker and Spiritual
Care Coordinator with a hospice agency. In the latter role, I came alongside my clients in their last moments and offered guidance and support. This breadth of experience not only helped in adding value to my clinical training, but aided in developing what I believe is my most important skill – my ability to connect with my clients. This is the foundation of our therapy journey.

I view you as the expert on your life and this perspective allows for a more collaborative journey to help you reach your goals. The therapeutic relationship is grounded in honesty, trust, and compassionate and
I do my best to create an environment conducive to those things. I take a strengths-based approach as I help you find resiliency in challenging emotional situations. I believe treating clients holistically, to also
include addressing unmet physical and spiritual needs, is the best ethical approach to care. As such, the engagement phase of treatment is as important as the latter parts. I am trained in evidenced-based practices to include, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, and varied trauma-based therapies.
While I am grateful for my credentials and clinical experience, my greatest asset as a therapist has been my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. It has transformed my ability to love, honor, and value others. These strong values help me to come alongside others and help them in their journey to be who God has called them to be. I am honored to help fulfill this call. Outside of being a therapist, you will usually find me reading, listening to music, dancing, writing and
watching sports. I also enjoy learning different languages and speak French fluently. I am an active military wife and relocated to Virginia with my husband and children a few years ago. I am also licensed as an LSCW in Tennessee.