Alicia Cave, LCSW, CCTP-II is the Director of GrowingThru as well as an EMDR Certified Therapist and Board of Social Work Approved Supervisor in Virginia and North Carolina. With 20 years of experience in mental health across inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings, she has served children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her expertise includes addressing trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, personality disorders, serious mental illness, and grief. Alicia also works with clients on family/couple issues and concerns related to race, culture, spirituality, gender, and sexual identity.

Utilizing strengths-based approaches, Alicia (she/her) focuses on fostering resilience in her clients. Currently pursuing RYT certification, she integrates mindfulness and somatic interventions with talk therapies and adopts a holistic perspective to support clients in achieving their goals.

Alethia Jones, MSW, is a dedicated and compassionate outpatient therapist with over 19 years of experience in social work. Her professional background includes therapeutic mentoring, mental health skill-building, parent coaching, and work in education, foster care, and adult mental health. She has supported individuals across their lifespans, with a strong focus on children, adolescents, and family systems.

Alethia earned her MSW from the University of New England and is licensure-eligible. Her clinical interests include trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and resilience, and the integration of mindfulness practices to promote emotional regulation and self-awareness. She draws from CBT, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based strategies to create culturally responsive, collaborative spaces where clients feel safe to heal and grow.

Justine has over two years of experience providing compassionate, client-centered mental health care. She earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Kentucky and her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Elizabeth City State University. Justine has worked in a variety of settings, including the Department of Social Services, domestic violence shelters, and outpatient behavioral health. 

Justine's clinical niche includes Christian counseling, supporting single parents, working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, helping individuals navigate life transitions, and empowering all people to rebuild their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of identity. She is passionate about creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their healing journey.

Justine's favorite Bible verse is, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. Outside of providing therapy, she enjoys spending time with God, making memories with her daughter and family, traveling, practicing self-care, and relaxing at the beach. 

Dorothea Smith is a native of Portsmouth who currently resides in the Suffolk area. She obtained her undergraduate degree with a major in Sociology (emphasizing social welfare) and minor in African and African American Studies from Old Dominion University and then went on to obtain a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Norfolk State University. 

She has many years of experience providing mental health services to people of various ages through mental health skills building, therapeutic day treatment, intensive in-home and now outpatient therapy. She has received full training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and American Society of Addiction Medicine Level I (ASAM-I) criteria. 

Dorothea pulls from many therapeutic modalities and is interested in exploring many more to allow for an eclectic or integrative approach to meet the needs of each client. It is her goal to assist others with developing the tools needed to reach their own goals and to be their best selves. 

When not working, Dorothea enjoys going to church, spending time with her family, exploring ancestral roots, thrifting, exercising and other hobbies. 

Stacie Shifflett is a dedicated social worker with over 10 years of experience in the substance use and mental health fields. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015 and recently completed her Master of Social Work at Walden University in May 2025. As a supervisee in social work, Stacie has extensive experience working with diverse patient populations affected by various substance use disorders as well as cooccurring mental health conditions.

Stacie is passionate about addiction and mental health and utilizes a strength-based perspective to foster resilience and positive growth in her clients. She employs evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness techniques, and relapse prevention strategies, to support clients in managing cravings and triggers. Committed to creating a safe, warm, and welcoming environment, Stacie emphasizes therapy without guilt or shame, ensuring clients feel empowered to navigate difficult challenges.