A calm place to heal, grow, and move forward.
Life can bring unexpected challenges that leave you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of what to do next. Ascend Counseling & Consulting provides a supportive space to process your experiences, strengthen your sense of self, and take meaningful steps toward the life you want.
Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia | National Certified Counselor | Approved Clinical Supervisor
You do not have to navigate everything alone.
You may be managing anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem concerns, relationship challenges, questions about identity, or experiences connected to family and culture. Therapy provides a place to slow down, understand what is happening, and develop new ways of moving forward.
Two paths of support, one grounded approach
Whether you are seeking your own healing or growing as a professional, there is a place for you here.
Counseling
Individualized counseling for adolescents and adults navigating emotional, relational, cultural, and life concerns.
EMDR and Trauma Support
Trauma-informed support that helps clients process difficult experiences and reduce the emotional impact those experiences may continue to carry.
Consulting and Supervision
Professional consultation, clinical supervision, and educational support for counselors, clinicians, and organizations.
Support for the experiences shaping your life
Every person's experience is different. Counseling is tailored to your needs, goals, culture, and personal story.
When the past continues to feel present
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured therapeutic approach that may help individuals process distressing memories and experiences. Rather than requiring clients to repeatedly describe every detail of an experience, EMDR focuses on helping the brain process memories in a way that may reduce their emotional intensity.
Together, we take time for preparation and stabilization first, so the work always begins from a place of safety.
- Who EMDR may support
- What an EMDR session may involve
- The importance of preparation and stabilization
- An invitation to discuss whether EMDR is right for you
Meet Dr. Tiffanie Sutherlin
Dr. Tiffanie Sutherlin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. She brings experience from college counseling centers, inpatient care, in-home services, and outpatient settings. Her approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive, and tailored to each client.
Therapy designed around you
Dr. Sutherlin does not believe therapy is one-size-fits-all. Because no single approach works for everyone, she draws thoughtfully from several, weaving them together to fit your needs, culture, and goals. The benefit is not the list itself, but the way each piece is chosen for you.
- Person-centered therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Solution-focused therapy
- Feminist therapy
- Trauma-informed care
- EMDR
Three simple steps
Schedule
Choose a consultation time through the secure booking system.
Connect
Discuss what brings you to counseling, what you are looking for, and whether the practice is a good fit.
Begin
Develop an individualized plan for your counseling goals and next steps.
You can begin where you are.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. The first step is simply creating space to talk about what has been happening and what you would like to change.
Compassionate support grounded in experience, curiosity, and collaboration.
Meet Dr. Tiffanie Sutherlin
Dr. Tiffanie Sutherlin earned her bachelor's degree in psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Supervision. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia, a National Certified Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.
Throughout her career, Dr. Sutherlin has provided counseling in a variety of settings, including college counseling centers, inpatient programs, in-home services, and outpatient practices. She has worked with clients ranging from adolescence through older adulthood who were navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem concerns, identity development, racial and multicultural experiences, relationship challenges, and family-of-origin concerns.
Dr. Sutherlin believes that therapy begins by meeting each person where they are. Her role is not to tell clients who they should become, but to provide a safe, supportive environment where they can better understand their experiences, identify what they need, and move toward their personal goals.
Because no single therapeutic approach works for everyone, Dr. Sutherlin uses an integrative and individualized approach. Her work may incorporate person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, feminist therapy, trauma-informed care, and EMDR.
Life often brings unexpected curveballs. Sometimes we feel prepared to respond, and other times we are caught off guard. Anxiety, depression, trauma, self-doubt, and relationship concerns can make it difficult to feel grounded or confident about what comes next. Dr. Sutherlin helps clients explore what is happening, process their thoughts and experiences, and develop tools that support meaningful and sustainable change.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Sutherlin enjoys traveling and experiencing new places. Her appreciation for people, cultures, and different perspectives continues to inform the curiosity and respect she brings into the counseling relationship.
"My role is to meet you where you are and help guide you toward the goals that matter to you."
Training and licensure
Curiosity, culture, and connection
Travel has a way of reminding us how wide the world is and how much there is to learn from one another. Dr. Sutherlin's love of new places and cultures grew into a deeper appreciation for the many ways people make meaning of their lives. That same curiosity and respect shape the counseling relationship, where every person is met as the expert on their own story and given room to feel truly heard.
Counseling that honors your experiences and supports your growth
A supportive, collaborative space for adolescents and adults working through the concerns that shape everyday life.
You are welcome here
You do not need a diagnosis or a clear explanation of what is wrong before beginning. Counseling is for anyone who wants a dedicated space to slow down, make sense of their experiences, and move toward the life they want. Dr. Sutherlin works with adolescents and adults across a wide range of concerns.
Counseling for adults
Support for anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, relationships, and the questions that surface across adulthood.
Trauma and EMDR
Trauma-informed care and EMDR for clients ready to process difficult experiences that continue to feel present.
What clients can expect
Counseling with Dr. Sutherlin is collaborative from the first session. Together you will explore what brings you in, clarify what you hope to gain, and shape an approach that fits you. Because no two people are the same, the methods used are chosen and adjusted around your needs, culture, and goals rather than a fixed formula.
- A warm, judgment-free first conversation
- Goals shaped around what matters to you
- Culturally responsive, individualized care
- Room to move at a pace that feels right
Have a question first?
Details on ages served, session length, virtual and in-person options, insurance, and fees are answered on the FAQ page. If you do not see your question there, you are always welcome to reach out.
When the past continues to feel present
A structured, trauma-informed approach that may help the brain process difficult memories, with safety and preparation at the center.
A different way to work with memory
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and experiences that may continue to affect their emotions, thoughts, relationships, or daily lives. Rather than requiring you to repeatedly describe every detail of an experience, EMDR focuses on helping the brain process memories in a way that may reduce their emotional intensity.
Concerns EMDR may help address
EMDR may be used to support individuals experiencing trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, distressing memories, negative beliefs, grief, or other emotionally difficult experiences. Dr. Sutherlin will assess whether EMDR is appropriate based on your needs and readiness.
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Anxiety and distressing memories
- Negative beliefs about oneself
- Grief and other emotionally difficult experiences
The phases of EMDR
EMDR unfolds gradually. The early phases build safety and trust long before any reprocessing begins.
Preparation
Building trust, coping skills, and a sense of emotional safety before any processing begins.
Assessment
Identifying the memories, beliefs, emotions, and sensations to focus on together.
Reprocessing
Using structured techniques that may help the brain process the memory differently.
Integration
Strengthening positive beliefs and reviewing progress over time.
How EMDR is different from talk therapy
Traditional talk therapy often centers on describing experiences in detail. EMDR takes a different path, working with how a memory is stored rather than requiring you to relive it in words. Preparation, emotional safety, coping skills, and readiness are essential, and EMDR is not necessarily the right fit for every person or at every stage of counseling.
Who may not be ready for EMDR
EMDR is most effective when a foundation of stability and coping is in place. If that groundwork is still forming, Dr. Sutherlin may recommend beginning with preparation and stabilization work first. Deciding together, at a pace that feels right for you, is always part of the process.
Wondering if EMDR is right for you?
The best way to find out is a conversation. Results vary from person to person, and there is no pressure to decide anything before you feel ready.
Supporting clinicians and organizations as they grow
With a doctorate in Counseling and Supervision and credentials as an Approved Clinical Supervisor, Dr. Sutherlin offers guidance for the people and teams behind the work.
Ways to work together
Services can be tailored to counselors, supervisees, practices, universities, and organizations.
Growing your confidence and clinical voice
Supervision offers a steady, supportive space for counselors seeking professional development, clinical support, and greater confidence in their work. Details such as current supervisee openings, the credentials supervised, states where supervision is available, and whether sessions are individual or group-based will be confirmed on inquiry.
Consultation focus areas
- Case consultation
- Ethical decision-making support
- Multicultural and culturally responsive practice
- Trauma-informed care and clinician development
Where faith and mental health meet
Dr. Sutherlin offers consultation, training, and speaking engagements that honor the central role faith and spirituality hold in many Black communities. This work supports pastors, ministry leaders, and congregations in recognizing mental health concerns, reducing stigma, and building thoughtful bridges between spiritual care and clinical support.
Sessions can be tailored for clergy, ministry teams, or full congregations, and are grounded in cultural humility and respect for each community's own beliefs and traditions.
Topics may include
- Recognizing mental health concerns within the congregation
- Reducing stigma around therapy and emotional wellness
- Supporting the well-being of clergy and ministry leaders
- Building referral pathways between churches and clinicians
Customized to your audience
Workshops and trainings can be tailored to the needs of your organization, audience, and requested topic, from mental health and trauma-informed practice to identity, professional wellness, and culturally responsive care. Share your goals, preferred format, audience size, and timeline through the consulting inquiry form and Dr. Sutherlin will follow up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking the first step toward counseling or professional consultation can bring up a lot of questions. Explore the information below to learn more about working with Dr. Tiffanie Sutherlin and Ascend Counseling & Consulting PLLC.
Counseling questions
Dr. Sutherlin works with adults, age 18 and older. Any updates to who is currently being accepted will be listed clearly once practice policies are finalized.
Clients may seek support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, identity development, racial and multicultural concerns, relationship challenges, family-of-origin issues, and life transitions. You do not need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what is wrong before beginning counseling.
The first session is an opportunity to discuss what brings you to counseling, your history, current concerns, and what you hope to gain from therapy. Dr. Sutherlin will also explain her approach and answer questions about the counseling process. Together, you will begin identifying goals and determining whether the therapeutic relationship feels like a good fit.
Dr. Sutherlin uses an integrative approach that may include person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, feminist therapy, trauma-informed care, and EMDR. The approaches used will depend on your needs, preferences, culture, experiences, and goals.
Most counseling sessions are typically between 45 and 60 minutes. The exact session length and frequency will be listed according to Ascend's scheduling policies.
Many clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions. Frequency will depend on your needs, treatment goals, availability, and progress.
This section will clearly identify whether Ascend offers telehealth counseling, in-person counseling, or a combination of both, along with the Virginia locations where services are available. Details will be confirmed once practice policies are finalized.
This section will state whether Ascend is in-network with insurance plans, an out-of-network provider, private pay only, or able to provide superbills for possible reimbursement. Clients are encouraged to verify their benefits directly with their insurance provider.
Fees for the initial session, ongoing sessions, and any extended appointments will be listed here, along with accepted payment methods, cancellation fees, and any reduced-fee availability when applicable.
The required notice period and any fee for late cancellations or missed appointments will be listed here. Policies commonly ask for at least 24 to 48 hours of notice, and the final wording will reflect Ascend's actual policy.
EMDR questions
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and experiences that may continue to affect their emotions, thoughts, relationships, or daily lives.
EMDR may be used to support individuals experiencing trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, distressing memories, negative beliefs, grief, or other emotionally difficult experiences. Dr. Sutherlin will assess whether EMDR is appropriate based on each client's needs and readiness.
EMDR does not always require clients to describe every detail of a distressing experience. However, you will still work collaboratively with Dr. Sutherlin to identify memories, emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations connected to the experience.
EMDR is not necessarily the best fit for every person or at every stage of counseling. Preparation, emotional safety, coping skills, and readiness are important parts of determining whether EMDR is appropriate.
The length of treatment varies. Some individuals may notice changes within a limited number of sessions, while others may need longer-term treatment. Results depend on your history, concerns, goals, and individual response to therapy.
Privacy and safety questions
Information shared in counseling is generally confidential. However, there are legal and ethical exceptions, including situations involving potential harm to yourself or others, suspected abuse or neglect, or a court order. Dr. Sutherlin will explain confidentiality and its limitations during the intake process.
The general website contact form should not be used to share sensitive clinical information. Please provide only basic contact details and a brief reason for reaching out. Clinical communication takes place through a secure client portal or another HIPAA-conscious system.
Ascend Counseling & Consulting PLLC does not provide emergency or crisis services through the website, email, or contact form. If you are experiencing an immediate emergency, please call 911, visit the nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Consulting and supervision questions
Consulting may be available to counselors, supervisors, private practices, universities, community organizations, and other professional groups.
Potential services may include clinical consultation, professional development, case consultation, ethical decision-making support, multicultural and culturally responsive practice consultation, trauma-informed care consultation, faith and mental health consultation for the Black church and other faith communities, program development, and customized workshops and presentations. Only confirmed services will appear on the final website.
This section will specify whether Dr. Sutherlin is currently accepting supervisees, the credentials she can supervise, the states in which supervision is available, and whether sessions are individual or group-based.
Workshops and trainings may be tailored to the needs of the organization, audience, and requested topic. Organizations can use the consulting inquiry form to share their goals, preferred format, audience size, and timeline.
Booking questions
Choose the Book a Consultation button and select the service you are interested in: individual counseling, EMDR therapy, clinical supervision, professional consultation, or training and speaking.
No. A consultation is generally a brief conversation designed to discuss your needs, answer initial questions, and determine whether Ascend may be a good fit. It is not a counseling session and does not establish an ongoing therapeutic relationship.
Ascend will respond with information about availability, services, and the next steps. Counseling clients may receive instructions for accessing a secure client portal and completing intake forms.
We are glad to help
We understand that choosing a counselor, supervisor, or consultant is an important decision. Reach out to learn more about Ascend Counseling & Consulting PLLC and whether our services may be a good fit for your needs.
Let's find the right starting point
Tell us what you are interested in, and we will follow up with availability and next steps. A consultation is a brief conversation, not a counseling session.