Child and Family therapy

We work with children birth-18 years old across the developmental spectrum and our work is grounded in child development research. We are trained to use play therapy, art techniques, yoga for kids, EMDR & TF CBT Therapy and other interventions to help children heal. We also incorporate trauma informed parent coaching and parenting skills in our work with families.

Services for children include therapy for ADHD, Neurodiversity, grief/loss, developmental trauma, depression/anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, school issues, self-esteem/body image issues, bullying, peer issues, adjusting from divorce, and much more!

In our work together, our Therapists believe in the importance of creating a safe place for kids and families to tell their story, be seen, heard, and supported in their healing journey. Pursuing therapy is a courageous step for families and children to take, and we will be there for you every step of the way, helping you navigate challenging life circumstances, as well as celebrating your victories, successes, and accomplishments along the way!

family

Services Offered:

Children and families, ages 0-18 yrs

  • Eating disorders, Body-Image issues

  • Trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Adjustment disorders

  • ADD/ADHD

  • ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)/ Neurodiversity

  • Behavior challenges

  • School issues

Beneficial for:

Individual Counseling

Tailored one-on-one sessions to help children and teens express themselves, manage emotions, and build resilience.

Play Therapy

A child-friendly approach that uses play and creative activities to address emotional and behavioral issues in a non-threatening way.

Family Counseling

Supporting families in improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening bonds.

Meet Our Providers

Raquel Ramirez

RAQUEL RAMIREZ, LMHC

Raquel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and EMDR Therapist who provides a container, a safe and compassionate space, to explore the areas you seek to shift or expand. Her style is warm, intuitive, authentic, compassionate, and direct. Raquel naturally uses a trauma-informed lens, and leans towards a Psychodynamic, Attachment, and Person-Centered approach to get a big picture of you and your experience. She believes we are better able to shed layers and get into deeper truths when we feel seen, safe, and heard, from a supportive non judgemental person. Bringing the unconscious to light to become empowered and capable of making the choices needed to live the life you desire. Raquel works with adult individuals and teens 15+.

Ginger Hemming, LMHC, ATR

Ginger Hemming is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Art Therapist, who works with kids ages 3+, teens, families, and adults. She has had the pleasure of having 14 years of experience working in the mental health field with a variety of populations, primarily with a focus on treating trauma symptoms arising from early childhood experiences, domestic violence, accidents, and vicarious trauma resulting from employment

Ginger creates a safe, therapeutic space where clients can process past or current life struggles, leading to an improved quality of relationship with self and others. Her approach is client-centered, meeting each client where they are in their healing. Ginger uses a variety of modalities such as EMDR, DBT, IFS, and solution-focused and trauma-informed CBT. She utilizes art within the comfort of each client as a tool to assist in the therapeutic process.

Gretchen Edwards, MSW, LSWAIC

Gretchen is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate who believes in the power of connection in finding healing in our lives. Her approach is warm, collaborative, eclectic, and relationship-focused, recognizing that growth and healing in a therapeutic environment is best supported in a foundation of safety, trust, openness, and respect. Grounded in relational, family systems, EMDR, and somatic therapies, Gretchen believes in the power of walking beside her clients on their journey to healing.

Gretchen brings a wealth of experience in working with individuals experiencing caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, cancer, grief/loss/end of life concerns, ADHD, anxiety, depression, infertility, occupational stress, postpartum and post-adoption depression and anxiety, and parenting of aging parents. Additionally, Gretchen’s years of experience as both a potential adoptive parent-in-waiting and later an adoptive mom have given her firsthand knowledge of the tremendous challenges adoptive families face in finding resources that are adoption trauma/attachment informed for both adopted children and their parents. Her professional experiences have often focused on listening to, supporting, and encouraging individuals in hard places as they find their way to feeling truly heard and seen in both group settings and through one-on-one counseling focused on mindfulness, camaraderie, and evidence-based practices.

Children ages 4+, teens, adults

Stephanie Zoeller, LMHCI

Stephanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern completing her master’s degree at Oregon State University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is deeply passionate about supporting individuals on their journey towards holistic well-being.

Stephanie believes in the inherent resilience of each individual and works collaboratively with clients to identify their strengths and empower them to overcome life's challenges. By helping clients identify and challenge troubling beliefs and thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress, Stephanie helps encourage individuals to reframe negative thinking patterns, cultivate self-compassion, and develop healthier coping strategies.

Her goal is to promote emotional well-being and psychological resilience by equipping individuals with the tools and insights needed to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Stephanie is dedicated to fostering a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment where clients feel free to explore their concerns and work towards meaningful change.

Stephanie has a special interest in working with the following groups: law enforcement, fire fighters, dispatchers, those in emergency medical care, attorneys, as well as family members of those in that career field.

Adults and Teens (13 and older)

Intern Therapy

At VWS we are proud to support our community by providing reduced fee services for clients seeking mental health. We offer a clinical training program for graduate-level intern therapists. As part of this program, we offer low-cost counseling with fees of $90 for Individuals and $115.00 for Couples + Family therapy.

Our Intern Therapists start at different times throughout the year, most often in January or April, and see clients during their internship for up to 10-18 months. After that time, clients can continue with their therapist once they become a VWS employee, or be transitioned to another VWS therapist to continue their care. Learn more about our Intern Therapists below!