Our Agents of Change

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 Nick Williams, MS, NCC, LPC Founder/Owner

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/461421
https://indeliblechanges.clientsecure.me

Nicholas.Williams@IndelibleChanges.org

 (855) 643-5787 ex: 700

I am the son of a Nurse and a Human Services Professional/Law Enforcement Officer. Growing up, I witnessed the true meaning of Public Service. Prior to entering into Behavior Health, I served in the United States Marine Corps as Infantry, and obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology prior to separating.  My time in the military did include one combat tour among others. I understand firsthand what it means to serve a cause greater than oneself, and Indelible Changes is my new cause. 

I also have a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling; I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor.  In addition, I am a Board Certified Supervisor for mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy. I have additional training in child and adolescent behavioral health, couples and family therapy, complex trauma, substance use, and family engagement.  My clinical experience includes providing individual, family, and group therapy in the outpatient, home, community, and residential group home settings. I also have over 25 years of experience in leading, supervising, and managing within the military, private, and local government sectors.

   
I consider my primary theoretical orientation to include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and The Gottman Method, although I mostly practice from an integrated approach. The tenets of ​ these that I most closely identify with include empowering people to take personal accountability for their life; moving people beyond just thinking and feeling healthier but to also behaving the same; and helping people develop more accurate and healthier meanings to life’s past, present, and future challenges.  

My professional interests includes but are not limited to engaging males/fathers in the therapeutic process, healing the impact of racial/gender trauma, and working with adolescents, couples, families, and marriages.  I also have a passion for treating trauma. 

When off work, I enjoy reading/studying just about anything, going to the movies (pre-pandemic), and spending time with my wife of 20 years; we co-parent our niece and nephews ages 15, 16, and 18, respectively. 

Landis Nichols, BS 

Administrative Assistant 

Landis.Nichols@IndelibleChanges.org

(855) 643-5787

I joined Indelible Changes in 2020 as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining the team, my career track involved the healthcare and hospitality industry. I graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a Psychology degree and a minor in Africana Studies. I am honored to work for Indelible Changes, a company who caters to permanently making differences in all walks of life. Indelible Changes is comprised of therapists who are working passionately to deliver quality care and I am grateful to be a part of the process. I am currently located in Charlotte, NC and I am married to an awesome and patient husband. During my free time, I love creating new recipes and traveling. 

 Joanne Perdu, MA, M.Ed., LPC 

Behavioral Health Therapist II

https://indeliblechanges.clientsecure.me

Joanne.Perdu@IndelibleChanges.org

(855) 643-5787 ex: 701

I was born in Sion, Switzerland and was raised mostly in Montreal, Canada. I moved to the States to pursue a Master’s in Child Study, hoping to do research on the impact of childhood cancer on families. I lived in France for a few years and moved back to the States as I followed my husband. We settled in Northern Virginia, where we raised our now grown son and daughter. During that time, I completed another master’s in School Counseling and a Post Master’s Certificate to be a Licensed Professional Counselor. 

I was incredibly fortunate to work as a school counselor in non-traditional settings for my first ten years. The students and staff fueled my passion for social justice and restorative justice practices. My internship for my Post Master’s Certificate was at Life with Cancer, another rich experience which has impacted my counseling style. I just retired from Fairfax County Public Schools this past June, 2020, but hope to remain active in helping high schoolers who will be First Generation college students. 

My theoretical approaches are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Humanistic Approach. CBT is a problem-solving theory which presumes that personal beliefs impact emotions and behaviors. Our automatic thoughts/beliefs that are developed in childhood are not always accurate and a change in these beliefs can cause better adaptations to difficult situations in the past and present. Humanistic Approach stress a person’s self-growth and actualization. The counseling skills I find most useful are Trauma-informed, uncovering thinking errors, mindfulness, distress tolerance as well as a variety of other skills from different theoretical approaches.

In my free time I like to swim; walk and talk with friends; and stitch, knit and sew projects which my children still don’t wear. I appreciate reading non-fiction and I also enjoy spending time with immediate and extended family which include our rescue dog and cat.

I am excited and so grateful to work for Nick Williams and Indelible Changes, where empathy, validation and solidarity are determined by Mr. Williams to be positive agents of change in our society and for our clients. 

Josh Sloan, MS, RIC

Resident in Counseling

Behavioral Health Therapist

https://indeliblechanges.clientsecure.me

Joshua.Sloan@IndelibleChanges.org

(855) 643-5787 ex: 702

Hi! My name is Josh. I'm a post-grad of Radford University who is passionate about the field of counseling and about you! All my work is geared towards helping people become the best versions of themselves and treating them with unconditional love through the creation of a safe counseling environment.

I wanted to become a counselor once I started taking my first psychology gen-ed classes. I had a talent for helping my friends through a tough time, and even though I was declared as a computer science major, I realized that psychology was where my heart was pointed. I felt like I could make more of a positive difference writing case notes instead of patch notes. 

I use Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive-Behavioral techniques as a part of my practice. Most of my counseling experience is centered around substance use treatment and individual counseling. I am also LGBTQ+ friendly.

When I'm not working, I enjoy making and tasting new foods, reading fantasy novels, watching horror movies, and playing videogames; right now mostly Final Fantasy XIV Online. I enjoy all of these best in the company of my loved ones and friends. I hope to get to know you and work with you to heal what hurts, and bring a renewed sense of peace to your life.

Celine Liu, M.Ed., RIC

Resident in Counseling

Behavioral Health Therapist 

http://indeliblechanges.clientsecure.me

Celine.Liu@IndelibleChanges.org

(855) 643-5787 ex:  703

 I was born and raised in China, and obtained my Bachelor of Science degree from Peking University. Afterward, I made the decision to travel to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia.

As a child, I was quite introverted but possessed a deep passion for understanding the world around me. I was consistently intrigued by the actions and thoughts of others, and found great joy in engaging in one-on-one conversations that allowed me to understand individuals more profoundly. As I matured, I discovered a deep sense of fulfillment from positively influencing the lives of others. This engagement not only extended the boundaries of my own existence but also added color and significance to my life.

I am a strong believer in the power of acceptance. I believe that we must all aspire to live authentically and accept all aspects of ourselves, including our highs and lows. This acceptance allows us to better appreciate and love the world around us. I have devoted a lot of time to understanding and navigating my own emotions and desires, and I have sought to find the most harmonious ways to coexist with them. My hope is to help others do the same: to find peace with what cannot be changed, to pursue courageously what can be altered, and to cultivate the wisdom to distinguish between the two.

My professional experience includes working with students in rural areas in both China and the United States. I've also had the opportunity to work as a peer counselor for young adults who identify as LGBTQ. Additionally, I've served as a crisis hotline listener, providing assistance to individuals in their most dire moments of need. My theoretical orientation is broad and includes Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Person-Centered Therapy.

In my free time, you can often find me playing the ukulele, cooking, visiting museums, or embarking on city walks. I am always with my camera, looking to capture a tangible memory of the world around me. I am incredibly grateful to be part of a team that is committed to helping individuals make lasting changes in their lives. Let's embark on a journey of learning, giving, and embracing the world together. 

LaToya Cheathem, MSW, LCSW

Behavioral Health Supervisor

I give 100% in everything I do when it comes to serving my clients.  I recently started providing licensure supervision to supervisees in  Social Work.

I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001 and since then have pursued a path in working with families and children.  I am is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Virginia, and have worked in diverse setting.  These include Foster Care, Child Protective Services, Second Responder Crisis Team, and Sex Offender Outpatient Therapy.  Additionally, I have worked with Intensive In-Home Services, Support Services, New Horizons CSB in the schools and community, Intellectual Disabilities and currently Outpatient Therapy.  

I specialize in providing therapy for children, adolescents, adults, and families. My skill set includes grief counseling, depression, self-esteem, anxiety, women's issues, relationship issues, stress, anger management, trauma, child development, behavior management, communication issues, parenting skills, learning disabilities, ADHD, ODD, mood disorders, and life transitions. Interventions are based on client’s needs and strengths to include cognitive-behavioral, task-oriented, insight-oriented, and solution-focused interventions.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, husband of 19 years, and 2 kids; a daughter and son both in their tween/teen years.  I also enjoy watching movies, reading, shopping, amusement parks, exercising, spending time with friends, and traveling. I grew up in the Baptist church and continue to attend and worship regularly.  

Makaila Sprague, MA, RIC

Resident in Counseling

Behavioral Health Therapist

https://indeliblechanges.clientsecure.me

Makaila.Sprague@IndelibleChanges.org

(855) 643-5787 ex: 

As long as I can remember my passion has been helping others. During undergrad I became fascinated with the human brain and development and how we are shaped as individuals through our beliefs, culture, experiences, and interactions with the world around us. While completing coursework associated with my family studies minor, I discovered that I wanted my work to involve helping individuals and their families succeed and become self-sufficient. Another essential part of my journey in becoming a therapist has been centered around helping end the stigma that is often associated with discussing mental health and seeking treatment.

 I have been working in the mental health field for several years now. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University in 2017. I completed my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University in December 2022. Over the years I have enjoyed advocating for my clients and providing community-based, in-home, and outpatient therapy services. I am passionate about helping individuals, children, couples, and families overcome challenges and live the life they desire to create for themselves. 

My theoretical approach is rooted in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I provide holistic, collaborative, and trauma-informed care. I also enjoy using strategies from the Gottman Method when helping couples manage conflict and build connection and intimacy. 

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time my loved ones. I also love reading, journaling, and tending to my ever-growing collection of houseplants.