Gisella Semorile, LPC-R
I work with children adolescents and adults to create a person-centered, strength-based approach to healing, building resilience and healthy ways to navigate life’s challenges. I believe therapy is most effective when clients feel safe, accepted, and free to be their authentic selves without fear of judgment. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and wholistic, meeting each person where they are while supporting individual growth. I became a therapist because of my deep commitment to walk along with my clients through their journey to overcome adversity and discover their capacity to reach their goals. Before becoming a therapist, I was an Early Childhood educator, provided parent-child healthy attachment support, worked in Family services, and community Services Boards for 2 different localities in VA, being proud to continue serving individuals and families for over 20 years across diverse cultural settings. These experiences continue to shape my professional practices, creating a supportive space where lasting change can occur.
My Therapeutic Approach
1. Theoretical Orientation
My work is guided by a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that integrates various counseling theories Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), CBT, DBT ACT, play therapy, and sensory integration techniques. I believe treatment should be individualized, recognizing each client’s unique experiences.
2. Therapy Style
I bring warmth, compassion, and collaboration into every session. I strive to create an environment where clients feel heard and respected, while providing a holistic approach with practical guidance and encouragement throughout the therapeutic process.
3. Change Process
I believe meaningful change happens when individuals feel emotionally safe, gain insight into their experiences, and develop practical skills to navigate life’s challenges. Together, we work to strengthen resilience, build emotional awareness, develop healthy coping strategies, and foster confidence that extends beyond the therapy room.
4. Techniques & Modalities
Depending on each client’s unique needs, I integrate a range of evidence-informed approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), play therapy, art-based interventions, sensory integration techniques, and trauma-informed practices. I also provide psychoeducation to support clients in developing a deeper understanding of the therapeutic process and the tools they can use to foster growth, healing, and emotional well-being.
Clinical Focus:
I provide therapy for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral disturbances, grief and loss, life transitions, traumatic experiences, and adjustment to stressful life events.
Healing begins in a space where you feel safe to uncover the strengths that have been within you all along.
Education and Training
- Education
- Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Walden University
- Master of Arts, Human Services Counseling, Regent University
- Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, National Louis University
- Training
- Endorsement Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Family Specialist (I/ECFS)
- TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- Mental Health in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Across the Lifespan
- Areas of Advanced Expertise
- Early childhood development
- Child and adolescent behavioral health
- Perinatal parent-child attachment
- Trauma informed treatment
- Culturally responsive care
- Bilingual (English and Spanish)
Availability:
I currently provide therapy services in both English and Spanish. I am accepting new clients, including children, adolescents, and adults, for virtual therapy throughout Virginia. I also offer in-person sessions on Wednesday evenings in our Sterling office.
Outside the Office: