Business Details
Expert Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services in Northern Virginia
Clarity Counseling is an outpatient treatment center dedicated to providing evidence-based mental health services to individuals, families, and groups across Northern Virginia and the Richmond area. Founded by Alicia Ayvas, LCSW, CEDS-S, who received specialized training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in 2009, the practice combines clinical expertise with compassionate care to address complex mental health challenges. Our team of certified professionals specializes in treating eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and over-controlled behaviors through innovative therapies like DBT, Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), and EMDR.We prioritize collaborative care, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to create personalized treatment plans that foster balance, hope, and long-term recovery. With multiple office locations and virtual therapy options, we ensure accessible, flexible care tailored to meet diverse client needs. Our commitment to quality extends to parent education programs, structured group therapy sessions, and community outreach initiatives designed to enhance mental health awareness and support.
Services
Individual Counseling
Family Therapy
Virtual Therapy
Group Therapy
DBT Skills Training
RO-DBT Program
EMDR Treatment
Eating Disorder Recovery
Adolescent Therapy
Body Image Counseling
Highlights and features
- Specialized in DBT, RO-DBT, and EMDR for complex mental health conditions
- Offers virtual therapy for Virginia, Maryland, DC, and North Carolina residents
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive care
- Experienced providers trained by developers of RO-DBT and DBT
- Flexible scheduling including weekend hours and parent education sessions
Services
Individual Therapy
Personalized mental health treatment addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and eating disorders. Our therapists use cognitive-behavioral techniques, DBT skills, and trauma-informed approaches to help clients develop emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Sessions focus on building self-awareness, improving interpersonal relationships, and creating sustainable recovery plans tailored to each client's unique needs.
DBT Skills Training
Structured 24-week program teaching mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Designed for adolescents and adults struggling with self-harm, eating disorders, or emotional dysregulation. Combines weekly group sessions with individual coaching to reinforce skill application in real-life situations, promoting long-term behavioral change and emotional stability.
RO-DBT Program
Specialized treatment for over-controlled individuals with chronic depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Combines weekly individual therapy with 30-week skills classes focused on radical openness and social connectedness. Developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch, this evidence-based approach addresses emotional rigidity and enhances interpersonal relationships through targeted behavioral interventions.
EMDR Treatment
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy for trauma recovery. Helps clients process distressing memories and reduce PTSD symptoms through bilateral stimulation techniques. Effective for treating trauma-related anxiety, dissociation, and eating disorders without requiring detailed verbal disclosure of traumatic events.
Virtual Therapy
Secure telehealth sessions using HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform. Provides accessible mental health care for clients in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and North Carolina. Offers same-day scheduling options and flexible appointment times, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate busy lifestyles while maintaining treatment continuity.
People
Alicia Ayvas
Founder & Executive Director
LCSW with 15+ years of experience in eating disorder treatment and DBT. Trained at Columbia University in 2009, she specializes in trauma-informed care and family systems therapy. Leads Clarity Counseling's clinical programs and multidisciplinary training initiatives.
Kaitlin Westerman
EMDR Therapist
LCSW providing trauma-focused therapy using EMDR and CPT techniques. Specializes in treating PTSD symptoms from abuse, neglect, and complex trauma. Offers both in-person and virtual sessions at Clarity Counseling's Gainesville and Reston locations.
Questions
What mental health services does Clarity Counseling Counseling offer?
We provide individual therapy, family counseling, group programs, and virtual sessions specializing in DBT, RO-DBT, EMDR, and eating disorder treatment for adolescents and adults.
Do you accept insurance?
Clarity Counseling Counseling is an out-of-network provider. We provide billing statements for clients to submit to insurance companies for potential reimbursement. Some providers are preferred providers for TriCare.
Are virtual therapy options available?
Yes, we offer HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy sessions for clients in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and North Carolina through our secure Zoom platform.
What are your office locations?
We have offices in Reston, Gainesville, Ashburn, and Midlothian (Richmond area), with virtual options available across multiple states.
