Introducing our new staff

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of our staff.

Elise Gibson, LCSW

Andrea Perez, QMHP-C

Elise Gibson, LCSW, is a Part-Time Therapist providing individual counseling on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. She provides a strength-based and empowerment-focused approach to treatment. She believes all people have a natural bend toward wellness and that therapy can help tap into those already present internal resources. She has a specific interest in the neurobiology of trauma and has received specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Andrea Perez, QMHP-C, is the Client Support and Referral Specialist, supporting therapists to find additional community resources for clients. She works at our Jefferson School City Center office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Andrea is currently attending Virginia Commonwealth University in pursuit of a Master’s in Social Work and is passionate about being an agent of change in the community.

Learn more about our whole team on our staff page.

Introducing our new staff

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of our staff.

Varinia Garcia Anderson, M.Ed.

Ashley Barlow, LPC

Molly O'Halloran

Shell Stern, MSW

Ulises Martinez, QMHP

Emily Zeanah Shelton, LCSW

Varinia Garcia Anderson, M.Ed, is a BIlingual Therapist providing individual counseling to clients through our Bienestar program. Originally from Costa Rica, Varinia is a strong advocate for our immigrant population, who inspire her to provide positive healing to those who need encouragement and strength.

Ashley Barlow, LPC, is the Clinical Services Director. She has committed herself to developing and maintaining therapeutic environments that are inclusive and aim to empower and support women, regardless of their background and circumstances; empowering them to live to their fullest potential and support them in breaking down barriers that might inhibit them from doing so.

Ulises Martinez, QMHP, is the Bienestar Support Specialist. He firmly believes that every person is born with the capacity to transform the world with their everyday actions and thoughts. "By being conscious how our own choices can affect our life, we can start generating positive changes that will impact ourselves and the people around us."

Molly O'Halloran is the Operations Manager. Having worked in small business management for the last 11 years, she is excited to support the growing needs of The Women’s Initiative.

Shell Stern, MSW, is a Therapist. She is committed to approaching social work through a social justice lens and believes in the innate healing power of each individual, often using Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness and Nature Connection to promote self-awareness and well-being.

Emily Zeanah Shelton, LCSW, is a Therapist. She grounds her clinical practice in a commitment to social justice, sensitivity to trauma, and belief in relationships as sites of healing and growth.

Learn about our whole team on our staff page. 

Welcome two new therapists!

We are thrilled to welcome two therapists to our Clinical Team!

Joanna Ajex, MA

Judith Curry-El, PhD

Joanna is our Education Coordinator & Therapist. In addition to working with individual clients, she will be overseeing our Education Program, which provides evidence-based mental health and wellness skills to our community and decreases stigma around mental health issues. She will also be supporting survivors of trauma as The Women's Initiative's liaison at the Shelter for Help in Emergency. Joanna's passion is to provide holistic care and empower women from all walks of life.

Judith is a Part-Time Therapist who will be working with clients in individual counseling one day a week. She is passionate about helping all women have access to mental health services. Her interests include insight-oriented and mindfulness-based therapies.

Welcome new therapists!

We are thrilled to welcome three therapists to our Clinical Team!

Monica Garfias, LPC, NCC

Aislinn Groves, LCSW

Alyson Stewart, MFT

• Monica Garfias, LPC, NCC
• Aislinn Groves, LCSW
• Alyson Stewart, MFT

Monica is a Bilingual Therapist working with our Bienestar program to provide counseling, social support and education for Latina women in our community. She is passionate about treating women who have experienced trauma.

Aislinn is a Part-Time Mental Health Therapist who will be working with clients two days a week in individual counseling and walk-in clinic. A Charlottesville native, Aislinn views therapy as a collaborative process, supporting each client in accessing their innate capacities for understanding and growth.

Alyson is the Sister Circle Mental Health Therapist, working with our Sister Circle program to provide mental health and wellness programming for Black women and women of color. Alyson will be co-facilitating the weekly Sister Circle support group as well as seeing clients in individual counseling and walk-in clinic at our main office. Alyson describes a client’s process as the overcomer’s journey, where the path on the road to progress can be a bumpy one, but it leads to resiliency, resourcefulness and perseverance.

Read more about our whole team here.