Our Team
Alma Molina
Bilingual Services Specialist
Alma (she/her/ella) is an artist originally from Chile who has worked for several years engaging communities with cultural and artistic institutions and manifestations. More recently, she’s been an art manager and artist educator with various women’s organizations and is currently developing an art research project related to maternity. As one of TWI’s client support specialists, she helps connect women with the agency’s services.
Karina Monroy
Resilience Program Coordinator and Counseling Intern
Karina (she/her/ella) is passionate about supporting communities and individuals in creating and rediscovering their personal paths towards healing. She received her bachelor’s degree in art and anthropology from UC Santa Cruz in 2016 and is currently pursuing her master’s in art therapy at The George Washington University. As an artist and student art therapist, Karina is motivated and moved by the decolonial power of collective healing through connection and creativity.
Susan Osmanzada
Administrative Specialist
Susan (she/her) has an extensive background in clinical research and a commitment to equitable mental health care. She holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration, bringing valuable expertise from her healthcare experience. Motivated by her belief in the necessity of accessible mental health services, Susan has joined TWI as an administrative specialist. She is dedicated to advocating for mental health awareness.
Camille Weaver Smith
Marketing and Communications Manager
Camille (she/her) leads the agency's communications and marketing strategy. She served as editor and associate director of digital communications at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business for more than 10 years after starting her career in nonprofit event management and marketing. Camille is passionate about destigmatizing and expanding access to mental health care for all communities and cherishes the opportunity to support individuals on their healing journeys.
Laura Snyder Brown, MSW
Resilience Program Director
Laura (she/her) is honored to support TWI in opening healing, liberatory spaces and promoting resilience for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. A graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, she has served as a leader for nonprofits in the areas of international grant-making, grassroots women’s organizations, affordable housing, and faith-based intentional community.
Katie Allen, LPC
Pro Bono Therapist
Katie (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor originally from Charlottesville. After obtaining her undergraduate degree at William & Mary and master's in counseling at Boston University, she lived for four years in Pittsburgh, PA, working in community mental health. Back in Charlottesville with her young family, Katie utilizes a combination of dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other strengths-based approaches to support clients' needs at local outpatient practice.
Varinia Garcia Anderson, M.Ed., LPC
Bilingual Therapist
Varinia (she/her/ella) received a BA in psychology from Roanoke College and an M.Ed in counseling from VCU. She has focused on providing mental health services primarily to the local Hispanic population. Varinia is trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy, EMDR, play therapy, family therapy, and mindfulness. She is a strong advocate for our immigrant population, who inspire her to provide healing to those who need encouragement and strength.
Judith Curry-El, PhD
Therapist
Judith (she/her) obtained her PhD degree from the University of Virginia in 1996, where she also completed her residency and post-doctoral neuropsychology fellowship. She has worked at Western State Hospital and as the mental health director at Greensville Correctional Center. Judith is passionate about helping all women have access to mental health services. Her interests include insight-oriented and mindfulness-based therapies.
Debi Daniel, MFT
Pro Bono Therapist
Debi (she/her) received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Touro University. She enjoys working with her clients through trauma-informed, internal family systems, dialectical behavior therapy, and emotion-focused therapy lenses. Debi believes communication is key and feels that most problems can be explored and resolved with partnership and collaboration. She brings a multicultural perspective from her African upbringing and is particularly interested in working with multicultural communities.
Andrea “Fas” Fasciano
Intern
Fas (she/her) is a counseling graduate student at William & Mary, passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges. As an intern, she creates a warm, supportive environment for clients to explore challenges like relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and grief, and emphasizes personal growth and awareness, meaning-making, and fostering authentic connection. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Fas is committed to providing inclusive and compassionate care for all.
Shelley Faulkner, MA, Ed.S. 🏳️🌈
Therapist
Shelley (she/her) highly values trust and connection for humans to heal, and brings her authentic self and transparency into session to give clients the ability to be fully themselves. She believes through compassion and connection that corrective emotional experiences can occur. Shelley works from an attachment-based, person-centered approach to therapy for people from all walks of life who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and interpersonal problems.
Juanika Howard, LPC
Therapist and Yoga Instructor
Juanika (she/her) received her BS from ODU in psychology and counseling and her MS in mental health counseling from Longwood. She utilizes eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive behavioral therapy, expressive art therapy interventions, and mindfulness in sessions. Juanika walks alongside community members on their journeys to increase supportive and creative resources that meet their needs, and is passionate about normalizing mental health and being in community with others.
Rachael LeMasters, LMSW
Pro Bono Therapist
Rachael LeMasters (she/her) graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Social Work degree and received a certificate in family systems theory from the Tavistock and Portman Trust. She has experience working with diverse populations, including families with complex needs and refugees. Using a strengths perspective, Rachael builds an empathic connection with each client. Additionally, she is particularly interested in how systems and relationships interact with individual goals.
Lisa A. Roberson, MSW
Pro Bono Therapist
Lisa (she/her) believes building a therapeutic relationship is crucial to improving a sense of trust and well-being in those she serves. She mindfully brings a diverse background in community-based treatment and agency collaboration to her work with TWI. Lisa also practices attachment therapy through the Virginia Attachment Center. She is a lifelong musician and songwriter who enjoys sharing her music with our community through her band, The Cry Babies.
Julia Scales-Shifflett, LCSW
Therapist
Julia (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker with experience providing psychotherapy services to youth and adults. She is passionate about dismantling barriers, supporting underserved populations, and creating safe spaces for healing. Julia has training and certificates in trauma focused-CBT, perinatal mental health, tobacco cessation, diabetes for behavioral health clinicians, and risk assessments. She often utilizes CBT, DBT, ACT, and, when appropriate, spiritual modalities in her clinical practice.
Kris Shafer, MA
Pro Bono Therapist
Kris (she/her) is passionate about women empowerment and equity as well as honoring each person's unique perspective and background. She uses a person-centered and trauma informed approach to create connection with and safety for clients. She received her master's degree in counseling from Messiah University and bachelor's in psychology from the University of Virginia. Prior to a career in counseling, Kris served in the military for 21 years.
Racheal Smetana, PsyD
Pro Bono Therapist
Racheal (she/her) received her PsyD in clinical psychology from Adler University, completing her pre-doctoral internship at Allegheny General Hospital and her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at UVA. As a therapist, she practices from a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) orientation, with a person-centered and strengths-based approach. In her free time, Racheal volunteers with local nonprofit organizations, is an avid runner, and enjoys spending time with her dog.
Diana Ward
Bilingual Intern
Diana (she/her/ella) is a Mexican-American Latina and graduate counseling student at William & Mary, dedicated to supporting the Latine and immigrant community. With a BA in Environmental Science from Eastern Mennonite University, she offers a unique perspective on mental health and wellness. Diana uses a strength-based, trauma-informed approach, utilizing SFT, MI, and CBT. Her passion is promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma in the Latine community.
Maren Ward, LCSW
Pro Bono Therapist
Maren (she/her) has worked in the counseling field for over 20 years, spending the past 15 years focusing on crisis counseling and assessments. At The Women’s Initiative, Maren works to create a therapeutic connection between herself and the client that allows for a safe exploration of the client's challenges as well as current and past relationships while accessing and processing emotions to allow for relief, healing, insight, and growth.